Melani Manel Perera

The Sri Lanka Tea Board comes out in favour of blended varieties to increase overall revenues. The island nation is the world's main exporter of 'Pure Ceylon Tea,' a finely aromatic but expensive variety of tea. In order to cut prices, foreign companies mix it with lower quality tea, but the government criticises the move, warning it could undermine the country's reputation.

A group of women religious met to understand the problem and develop practical ways to help the population. The price of flour, milk powder, cooking gas and cement are all up, and ordinary Sri Lankans have a hard time stretching their money till the end of the month. The government is instead more interested in plans to turn the island nation into a 'Wonder of Asia'.

The local diocese organised the 'Christu Shanthi Challenging Cup' to help youths know each and themselves. Almost 150 participants in 14 teams took part in the event. The winners received a trophy and prize money of 10,000 rupees (S$ 75).

Unemployment, daily contracts, exploitation, denial of rights, meager salaries, a Catholic priest denounces the "pathetic situation" of workers on the holiday dedicated to them. An Anglican bishop criticizes President Rajapaksa’s "Wonder of Asia” project "only capable of exploiting the people."

All six are Catholic from Negombo. They disappeared six months ago. They were rescued by a Spanish naval vessel, the Infanta Elena, involved in anti-piracy activity with the European Union Naval Forces. Speaking about their government, some of the wives said, "No one helped us."

For days, monks and lay Buddhists have called for the demolition of a Hindu temple and a mosque built in the sacred area of Dambulla. According to the followers of Buddha, the places of worship were built illegally. Criticism from the Catholic, Muslim and Hindu world: "An insult to all Buddhists in the country." Golden Temple, Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the major Buddhist temples in the world also located in the area.

Every diocese in the country celebrates the national day for Basic Ecclesial Communities (aka Small Christian Communities). The local Bishops' Conference recognised them in 1996 as a new way of being Church. This year's theme is 'Go You are sent forth following Jesus in Mission - Small Christian Communities Serving and Ministering'.

An Indian parliamentary delegation visits Settikulam refugee camp (Northern Province). Sri Lanka's Minister of Resettlement announces that its 6,500 refugees will be home by June. Still about 200,000 more remain.

For the World Health Organisation (WHO), the island nation is 'category A' country in terms of infectious diseases. According to official data, 3,892 cases were reported in January, 3,004 in February and 2,421 in March. The dengue hemorrhagic fever is the most virulent form of the disease and a leading cause of death among children.

In his Easter message, Card. Malcolm Ranjith invites Catholics to respect and serve life, even where there are many signs of death. To create harmony and unity in the country, it is necessary to overcome the mistakes of the past, erase the injustice and recognize the pain of poor and needy.

During Chrism Mass, Card Malcolm Ranjith urged more than 200 religious to follow the Lord for "we belong to Christ totally and integrally". The bishop is not superman but "one like you" with whom to collaborate to help the people of God to find their back to Him.

Each parish in the diocese of Kandy has organized special programs for their faithful. Pilgrimage, Way of the Cross and a fundraiser to build a new cancer ward at the Kandy General Hospital. Diocesan Priest: "Easter is the best time to answer the God’s call."