Initiative called ‘Hope for a distressed people’ is taken in Colombo. Apostolic nuncio visits Jaffma and expresses great concern for Tamils in Vanni area. Suicide attack occurs in a safe zone reception centre. Mingling with refugees, woman blows herself up, killing 23 and injuring 64.
About 250,000 refugees have nothing, and it is almost impossible to reach them with food. The only functioning hospital has been bombed, and its patients removed.
22 priests and 27 sisters live in the northern districts where the war is being fought. The defense ministry is asking that they be evacuated, and is not guaranteeing the safety of civilians who remain in the area of fighting. The government rejects the proposal of the United States and Great Britain to negotiate the surrender of the Tamil Tigers.
The religious live with the hundreds of refugees in the four districts that are still in the theater of conflict. The government says that victory over the Tamil Tigers is close, and is celebrating the 61st anniversary of independence by announcing an imminent peace. The United States, the European Union, Japan, and Norway are asking the Tamil rebels to surrender. The hospital of Pudukkudiyiruppu has been attacked for the fifth time in three days.
Tabled in January by a party led by Buddhist monks, the draft law could be adopted before the end of next month. Its purpose is to stop people from changing religion under pressure or in exchange of economic advantages. A similar bill had been presented in 2004 but failed after the Supreme Court found it unconstitutional. Protestant Churches have already mobilised against the bill; Catholics are concerned about it and waiting for their bishops to take a stand.
Ten days of bombardment kill more than 400, injure more than 1,400. Sri Lankan government minimises casualty figures. UN convoy successfully reaches Vavuniya Hospital, bringing hundreds of people to safety, including some 50 children.
Hundreds of civilians dead, killed even in the "safety zone." The army and the Tamil Tigers are trading accusations. Bishop of Jaffna: the buffer zone must be extended immediately and respected, to save many lives.
The head of the military in Vanni meets with the head of the Red Cross to plan access and protection of civilians in the area. Catholic and Anglican bishops express appreciation for the army's decision, and call upon the Tamil Tigers not to violate the area with attacks against soldiers and refugees.
Vincent Brossel, Asia-Pacific chief for Reporters without Borders, points finger. He slams political repression of the media, excluding any involvement by Tamil Tiger rebels. The Catholic editor of the Meepura newspaper receives death threats. Five journalists leave the country fearing for the lives.
More shelling and bombs have affected villages where displaced people had found refuge and which the government had declared “neutral” zones last month. Tens of people have died, including children and the elderly. Jaffna bishop appeals to President Rajapaksa for a lasting truce and an end to the hostilities.
Priests and religious leaders write to Ban Ki-Moon asking him to put pressure on Sri Lankan authorities and Tamil Tigers to re-start peace negotiations. The Mullaitivu area is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis. Displaced people find refugee in churches and other places of worship.
Celebrations began with a solemn Mass in the village of Maha Galgamuwa. More than 1,500 people have come to the shrine dedicated to the Apostle of Sri Lanka, who was beatified by John Paul II. Across the country the Church is promoting initiatives in preparation for the 300th anniversary of his death, hoping for his canonisation.
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