Melani Manel Perera

For World Food Day, former Ceylon has dedicated a week of workshops, theater performances, events and religious activities in the defense of and the right to food and livelihood. According to the Global Security Index, Sri Lanka is at 62nd place (out of 105) in the field of food safety.

The president of the Bishops' Conference calls on the government to change its tax policies and stop the rush to development. Negombo Lagoon is the area most affected by tourist projects harmful to the environment and local fishing communities. Local priests complain about rising drug addiction.

The extremist group Bodu Bala Sena ("Powerful Buddhist Force") protested the attacks in Bangladesh by Muslims, who destroyed temples and houses of the Buddhist community. The protesters threw stones and bottles filled with water. No injuries.

At least 450 thousand women farmers earn less than 2 euros a day and almost 200 thousand migrant workers suffer abuse, violence and torture. In the north affected by the civil war, 46% of mothers suffer from malnutrition and children under 5 years are underweight. Women are 53% of the population of Sri Lanka.

During a visit to the Northern Province, the president announced that IDP resettlement was completed. Defence Ministry noted that 1,186 persons from 361 families were resettled as of 24 September. The government promises a 'development plan' and praises "unprecedented growth" in the local economy.

Thousands of people are joining a new protest by the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA). The latter's strike is already in its third month. Religious leaders urge government and teachers to focus on students, the country's "most precious resource."

The anniversary falls next month. AsiaNews interviews Sister Francisca Perera, provincial superior of the congregation. The difficulties at the beginning, the apostolate of education for boys and girls, the evolution of their mission, in step with the changing times, and the constant search for communion between north and south. Marking 150 years, the theme is "Towards reconciliation."

The 15 to 44 age group is the most affected. Alcohol and drug abuse, physical and mental illness and stress are the main risk factors. The World Health Organisation (WHO) launches a prevention and support campaign.

Muralitheran Raaja was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a law that imprisons anyone "suspected" of having links to terrorism. In 2011 he was released and cleared of all charges. During his detention, his injuries were never treated.

The Bishops' Conference lists main abuses. They include violence against prison inmates that often end in murder, bad educational policies, and the intimidation of farmers. This is causing a "sense of loss in terms of human and religious values" in society.

Wanted by Card. Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, the initiative aims to respond to the shortage of vocations experienced by the country in recent years. Children and parents visit the stands of 72 congregations of men and women religious. Young people today, more and more distracted by the internet, loosing sight of the important things in life.

This is the charge of the Network for Rights (NFR), a network of human rights activists and journalists. Over the past 40 years, thousands of Tamils and Sinhalese have disappeared into thin air. Thus governments have suppressed legitimate opponents and critics, and fought a civil war. Today marks World Day for the victims of enforced disappearances.