Melani Manel Perera

Mohan Peiris, a former attorney general, replaces Shirani Bandaranayake, impeached by parliament, a step criticised by the international community as undermining judicial independence.

The most serious damage is reported in the Eastern Province and the Northern Province. At the moment, the Church and local NGOs distribute aid in the 71 government refugee camps. More than 5,370 homes destroyed.

After a sham impeachment process, parliament votes a motion against Supreme Court Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. President Mahinda Rajapaksa wants to replace her with one of his cronies. Thousands of people take to the street to mourn the death of justice.

The young Muslim woman was on death row since 2007 for allegedly killing an infant.

This was revealed by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Appeal from Government of Sri Lanka to renew diplomatic efforts. The young woman on death row since 2007. She can only be released if pardoned by parents who accuse her of murdering their baby.

Figures come from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Fewer voluntary repatriations are taking place. Most refugees seek asylum in India, in particular the state of Tamil Nadu. Returnees face police and military controls.

They sought better job opportunities by trying to reach Australia and New Zealand illegally. Since their arrest they and their families' lives have been on hold. They spent this Christmas behind bars. For one migrant who was released, the detainees are "innocent."

In the Eastern Province, some women head their household all alone without a job, sometimes without a home, or without doors and sanitary facilities, unable to send their children to school. Their husbands died in war or disappeared into the hands of police.

The Ceylon Bible Society (CBS) has launched a new website with an updated version of the Sacred Scriptures. The ecumenical organization takes up Benedict XVI’s invitation to focus on new digital technologies for evangelization.

As every year, the Catholic girls' school St. Joseph's Girls of Nugegoda (a suburb of Colombo) organizes a Christmas choir and various programs of solidarity. It teaches girls, "the meaning of being together," to build a "strong foundation for their future."

In its latest hearing, the parliamentary committee investigating Supreme Court Justice Shirani Bandaranayake fails to provide the defendant and her lawyers with a list of witnesses. Charges against her remain vague. In view of this, she walked out of the hearing, saying she would not take part in the unfair process against her. Civic groups and Christian and Buddhist leaders criticise the government's dictatorial approach, which threatens the courts' independence.

The Saudi crown prince announces a pardon for death row inmates as a blessing for the health of his ailing king. The young Muslim woman was sentenced to death in 2007 for allegedly killing an infant. A Catholic nun expresses joy at the news, but urges the government to protect better migrant workers.