Melani Manel Perera

This is how Mgr Norbert M. Andradi, general secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka, describes the incident. Anthony Warnakulasooriya, 35, was among the demonstrators protesting against hikes in fuel prices. A year ago, a 21-year-old Catholic man died during pension reform protest.

Police use tear gas, water cannons and guns to stop demonstrators. Protests spread across the country. Small-scale fishermen and private bus companies are hardest hit. Social activists denounce low wages and a high cost of living.

Theoretical and practical lessons aimed at 10 Sinhalese and Tamil boys and girls between 18 and 28. An environmental organization and two former professional photographers have organized the course to educate young people about nature conservation.

A Negombo men, women and children from Western Province block roads, torch street signs and burn tyres. They fear higher fuel prices will wipe out small-scale fishery. Fisheries minister agrees to subsidies but says price hike will go ahead.

About 23 per cent of the island’s population is abroad. A seminar organised by Caritas Sri Lanka-Sedec looks at the positive (high earnings) and negative (weaker family ties) aspects of working in other countries. In 2010, migrant workers contributed LKR 279.4 billion (US$ 2.41 billion) to the national economy.

100 families living in the Udduppidi refugee camp, 52 in that of Sinnaweli. For a year the government considers these people "resettled" and does not send more flour, rice, lentils, coconut oil and sugar. Displaced people: "Without dignity, we want to be citizens of our country."

Almost 2,000 postcards are sent to the Plantation Ministry to demand the distribution of 37,000 hectares of unutilised land as promised by President Rajapaksa in December. The redistribution plan has not yet started. The campaign began in Nuwara-Eliya District, in the upcountry, the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea plantation sector.

The government proposes abortion "only" for unwanted pregnancies. The Bishops' Conference "categorically" and "firmly" opposes any attempt to "legalize murder, in all its forms."

The government wants to set up an advisory body to plan reforms needed by ethnic minorities in northern and eastern Sri Lanka (the areas most affected by the civil war). Catholics criticise the president for “appointing commissions” when all that is needed is to “implement the 13th Amendment”, which transfers power to the provinces.

The Elephants Orphanage in Pinnawala is accused of illegally selling dozens of animals to private individuals. Animal rights activists call for a moratorium on their sale; they complain that the animals are ill treated by the politicians and religious leaders who buy them as a status symbol.

The Columbus Lotus Tower will be 350 meters high and operate 50 television and radio frequencies. Beijing is the main donor for a total cost of 104.3 million dollars. The summit will house a super luxury hotel, restaurant, observation deck and a conference centre with a capacity of one thousand people.

Fr Benedict Joseph, national director of Social Communications and the Church, talks about the pope’s World Peace Day message. “Sri Lanka is in a very sorry state of affairs. Most of the crisis that we are facing today is due to poor handling of education,” he said. “Therefore, all those concerned should go back to the fundamentals of education and study this particular document.”