Melani Manel Perera

Card. Ranjith has received the Minister of Culture and the environment. The Archbishop indicates, among others, the church of S. Anthony to the south-west of Jaffna. He asks that Buddhist brothers not be forgotten

women still don’t earn enough to support their families. In 2010 recorded profits of over € 2.5 billion, but 42% is the result of the low cost of labour.

Almost two thousand Catholics attended the annual pilgrimage. The trail winds for 97 kilometers, from the Cathedral of St. Sebastian, in Mannar, to the parish of Komarasankulam (Vavuniya district).

The "Grama Niladhari" act as mediators between the government and the community. For the first time the Christian Workers Movement of the Diocese of Columbo meets them, together with their families.

Mullikkulam village has been transformed into a Navy outpost. In exchange families have been offered the Kayakuli area in the middle of the jungle. But for its deforestation, all borne by the population, no help has come from government and non-profit organizations.

The goal is to turn Sri Lanka into a ‘Wonder of Asia’. Tourism can jumpstart the country’s economy and create jobs. However, the needs of local fishing communities must be taken into account. Their livelihood is at risk from new projects.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday inaugurated an International Buddhist Conference to celebrate, alongside Indian figures of note, the 2,600th the anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment.

Bottom trawling depletes resources. For the Alliance of Northern Province Fisher People and NAFSO its a "national issue" which causes economic and social damage to fishing communities in northern Sri Lanka.

In the northern districts of Sri Lanka there are no clashes between the two ethnic communities, but disappearances and suspicious deaths concern the population. The government provides alternative accommodation to IDPs, but denies resettlement in their native villages.

For the Catholic bishop of Kurunegala, the theme launched this year by Caritas Sri Lanka is “appropriate” and “relevant” for the country, which is undergoing a process of reconciliation after 30 years of war. He calls upon the faithful to undergo a “genuine conversion” of heart and mind, as urged by the Pope.

Support for candidates to avoid violence, abuse of power, corruption, violation of election rules. Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando recalls the words of Pius XII: "Politics is the best opportunity to show Christian charity."

Residents do not react, afraid of possible retaliation. A Catholic Tamil activist calls the government action "humiliating".