Melani Manel Perera

Elections were held last Saturday in the central province of Uva and in the Northern Province. Doubts have been cast over the results because of possible intimidation by people close to the government. The distribution of polling cards in Jaffna is also source of controversy. Voters here showed little inclination to vote.

Official sources report that an operation in Thai territory led to the arrest of Kumaran Pathmanathan. Sri Lankans are divided over the matter. Some want him to reintegrate the nation’s political process; others want him dead. But independent sources have not yet confirmed the information.

Political leaders and representatives of the Hindu and Buddhist communities are present at the installation ceremony of the new archbishop of Colombo. Homilies are delivered in Sinhalese and Tamil. Mgr Ranjit mentions his personal friendship with the Pontiff.

The exiles are like prisoners in refugee camps, guarded by the military and banned from leaving. After the declaration of Human Rights Watch the government is now allowing some returns. The testimony of a refugee.

Every child under the age of 5 should be vaccinated in a three-day immunisation campaign. Human Rights Watch reports a disastrous health situation in overcrowded refugee camps that have no latrines or water. Infectious diseases are becoming commonplace.

Last minute preparations are underway for the pilgrimage. The tradition which began some 400 years ago will culminate in the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August. In order to reach the shrine many pilgrims will have to travel through areas holding hundreds of thousands of refugees.

The Catholic charity is now helping 83,000 war victims. In order to cope with the new request it will use funds from donations the Pope put aside for humanitarian aid.

On July 26 they received their mandate in the chapel of the Archbishop's house. There are now 65 in the diocese of Colombo. Men and women between 40 and 65 years who work with the priests in particular to bring communion to the sick in hospitals and homes throughout the city.

A loan of 2.6 billion dollars approved. Main aims of funding include; rebuilding foreign currency reserves, correcting a chronic deficit, curbing the flight of capital and bridging the gap in the balance of payments.

The Supreme Court declares fishing with dynamite and various types of nets outlawed. Success for fishermen and activists who have defended their rights, against the multinationals of the fisheries sector. It will also allow for better management of resources and marine life.

The loan is set to finance post-war reconstruction and cushion the impact of the global economic crisis. However, government policies are negatively impacting broad segments of the population through higher taxes and disincentives to production. Women and small scale economic operators like fishermen are the hardest hit.

An open letter to the President of Sri Lanka in defence of press freedom in the country. Requests also for the safety of journalists in the regions of the north, the creation of an office for the investigation of crimes against the media and the release of three reporters in jail since March 2008.