Melani Manel Perera

Defence Ministry accuses NGOs of lack of transparency, claiming that more than half of all aid goes into paying organisational costs.

Highway A-9 runs across the entire island, from north to south, through the Vanni area, scene of clashes between rebels and the army. Next Monday 20 lorries will leave Colombo carrying food supplies to Jaffna. Now aid for people displaced by the war can be brought up the road.

Sri Lankan Sports minister says Pakistan had assured him that all security measures would be taken and that there were no signs of possible attacks. On the island nation various political parties accuse the government of ignoring Australia’s decision to stay away from Lahore. Now there are fears that the attack might be used to deny a South Asian nation the chance to organise the 2011 World Cricket Cup.

They are being built in the areas of Mannar and Vavunya, and are being equipped with schools, banks, post offices, and health clinics. According to government sources, the refugees will remain there for at least three years. The temporary measures are being taken to allow the army to restore the areas involved in the conflict.

The government is confirming its hard line, but the National Peace Council is reissuing the request for a ceasefire to help civilians. The Defense Ministry says that the area under the control of the rebels has been reduced to 58 square kilometers. But the communications minster warns: more attacks by the Tamil Tigers in the south of the country are possible.

The government and Tamil rebels are accusing each other of enlisting minors. The Catholic Church and civil society assert that 60% of the combatants for both factions are children with an average age of 16.

Personal conversion is the first response to society’s divisions. For the time that comes before Easter Caritas-Sri Lanka SEDEC issues a booklet dedicated to “Harmony through Reconciliation.”

The two Zlin-143's went down under anti-aircraft fire near the general headquarters of the Sri Lankan Air Force and the Katunayake air base. The crew on board the planes were killed, as well as two people in the spots where the planes fell. 56 people were injured. It is the ninth aerial attack by the Tamil rebels.

An appeal from the archbishop, to "express our concern and solidarity with victims of the war on both sides at this juncture in a more concrete manner." The project is coordinated by Caritas-Seth Sarana. The products collected will be sent to refugee centers in the area of Vavuniya and Kilinochchi managed by the local dioceses.

The rebels are again recruiting civilians and adolescents. The military is also suspected of using minors in the conflict. Appeal from Christian leaders: spare the civilian population.

The bill presented by Buddhist monks could impact the Church's charitable work. Auxiliary bishop of Colombo: the right to freedom of religion "is presented in a distorted way." The opposition parties are asking for "more clarity." On February 17, the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Religious Affairs will meet to discuss the bill. Date for full debate in parliament still awaited.

Hundreds of thousands of people are trapped in the war zone. There is a lack of food in Wanni: over the past 10 days, only 8 aid trucks have been sent for 250,000 people. No one can enter the refugee centers managed by the government.