Melani Manel Perera

Among the protesters also the wife of General Sarath Fonseka, who was also supported by the Lanka-e-News website. Associations point to the government, responsible for wanting to restrict freedom of press and expression. The attack is the latest in a series against journalists and media.

Attack on four monks and damage to temple can not be attributed to guerrilla groups or to members of the LTTE. Representatives of all religions call for calm, to continue to live "as one family."

Sri Lankan fishermen complain bottom trawling practiced in India threatens to destroy the ecosystem of the waters of Palk Bay, to the north of Sri Lanka,. NAFSO urges the Government to enforce the limits of territorial waters, stressing the continuing violation of agreements by the Indian vessels.

A group of Apostolic Carmelite nuns stress the importance of meeting and praying year round, not just one day. The religious function is held in Sinhalese, Tamil and English.

The cardinal expresses interest in the work of those involved in communications. He says he will organize annual meetings to improve the conditions of these artists. Among the participants, a female clown and famous singers.

The women are victims of daily humiliation and social rejection. Considered a symbol of bad luck, they have difficulty finding work despite many having studied. Often they cannot support their children. In a meeting with Llrc, a Catholic priest has urged the government to recognize them.

Two years since the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga, yet no one has been arrested. Journalists, opposition politicians and representatives of civil society point the finger at the government: "The State protects the guilty."

The government wants to resettle thousands of displaced people in north of the country, but refuses to register the new families. There are not enough homes for over 7 thousand displaced families.

Bishop Rayappu Joseph and two priests from his diocese submit a report to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), calling for complete transparency on what happened between 2002 and 2009 as a step towards finding an effective and lasting solution to the ethnic conflict.

After months of protests, parliament seeks an alternative venue in which to develop the Sea Plane tourist project. There has been no official statement however, and the fishermen say they are worried: "We will not allow the project here in our lagoon.

The Movement for National Land and Agricultural Reform greets 2011 with a message of hope to give dignity to all living beings and create a new world. To achieve this, land must be shared because “land belongs to all and nobody owns land”.

Fr. Reid Shelton Fernando, a political analyst and human rights activist, speaks to AsiaNews about the message launched by Benedict XVI for World Day of Peace, "Religious Freedom, the path to peace." Stressing that the faithful of every religion must root their beliefs in mutual respect.