Melani Manel Perera

The state of emergency has been used on and off since 1971 against Tamil rebels. The current government first invoked in 2005. Doubts remain however over how civilian rule can be implemented in Tamil areas currently under military control. Residents now fear that more restrictive laws will be put into place.

The event took place on 16th of agoust in Jaffna. Hundreds of journalists, trade unionists and activists from various parts of the country joined the protest, triggered by the beating of the news editor of Uthayan, a Tamil-language newspaper that has often criticised the government and the military.

Used in north-central province, causing chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, children can be born cyanotic, already dead or without a limb. Over the past 20 years, at least 20 thousand poor farmers have died of kidney complications, many suffer from similar diseases.

Nineteen young men and women from ten dioceses are on their way. “I hope they will be able to challenge their more secularised contemporaries who are influenced by the materialist culture of the times,” Youth Federation chaplain says.

A conference organized by Caritas Sri Lanka - Sedec highlights the goals of political leaders: to give dignity to the Tamil; revisit the issue of the national language; dismantle the military administration in the north.

The vow was made yesterday during a demonstration in front of the prison where the former general is being held. For Jayantha Ketagoda, a Fonseka’s supporter in parliament, “it is no longer tolerable to see those who destroyed the country and killed thousands of civilians walk free, [. . .] whilst Fonseka [. . .] is still in prison.”

The cause of Blessed Father Vaz (1651-1711) is at a "critical" stage. Fr. Vaz, beatified by Pope John Paul II, has dedicated the last 24 years of his life's mission to Sri Lanka, doing pastoral work in secret, from home to home, when priests were forbidden to live in the country.

Three years since the end of the war, these women are homeless, jobless or without any kind of assistance. Many have lost children, killed by Tamil rebels. Some complain that they are discriminated based on their religion.

The government’s ‘Reawakening Development programme’ has failed to consider the needs of war victims in Ampara District, in the eastern part of the country. Many young people are unable to study because of poverty and logistical problems.

Protests over beating of Ganasundaram hospitalized in a serious condition, but also an invitation to Rajapaksa government to respect the Tamil victory in recent elections. The harsh accusations of participants.

The document gives a context "facts" behind ethnic conflict and highlights the "humanitarian" role of military, against the "ruthlessness" of Tamil rebels. For the United Nations, the government has killed over 40 thousand civilians between 2006 and 2009.

The Cardijn Community International (CCI), a movement inspired by the method of the Belgian prelate, celebrated its 10th anniversary at a three-day conference (23-25 July). It also marked the 44th anniversary of the death of Card Joseph Cardijn, founder of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) movement.