Melani Manel Perera

More than 8000 people take part in the funeral of Lasantha Manilal Wickramatunga, editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper. “Waves of anger, fear and desperation” are sweeping “across the country,” says Colombo bishop. Everyone wants to know who is behind the murder. President Rajapaksa blames international elements for the assassination, claiming that it was carried out to eclipse the country’s military victories against Tamil Tigers.

The National Fisheries Solidarity Movement donates engines, nets and other gear. The distribution was carried out by Fr Seemanpillai Jayabalan, local co-ordinator for an IDP aid organisation in Nanattan, where 102 farming and fishing families of live.

The unanimous decision by cabinet brings the situation back to 2002, before peace talks began. Health minister says that ban does not preclude talks.

The government of Colombo has called for a day of celebration for the army's victory over the Tamil Tigers on January 2. In the refugee camps, the people accuse the government of Rajapaksa of failing to find a political solution to the conflict.

A traditional ceremony takes place at the start of the year at the Tewatta’s national shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Lanka. People of all ages, Catholics and Buddhists alike, come to have their job and the tools they use to earn a living blessed.

President Rajapaksa calls success a victory against world terrorism. LTTE rebels are now holed up in Mullaitivu jungle. In early celebrations in Colombo a suicide attacker kills three and wounds more than 30.

The news arrives after days of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the children and the events of their kidnap. The exploitation of children in the war between the army and rebels remains widespread despite the denials of both factions.

By the end of year 2007, indian NGO AMURT helps 1,056 families through a programme designed to help 560 people set up their own micro businesses.

Catholic and Anglican bishops are asking for a ceasefire to alleviate the situation for civilians. For the army, the condition is that the Tigers lay down their weapons. The appeal asks both parties for the creation of a buffer zone, in collaboration with the Red Cross. Meanwhile, the offensive continues in the northern part of the island.

The prices of other products have already been cut in order to help the poorest segment of the population, which approves of the decisions of Rajapaksa's government. But the cost of living remains very high, and some speak of concessions in view of the upcoming elections.

Fr. Oswald B. Firth, the former director of the charitable Catholic institution, hopes for a greater commitment to the renewal of Sri Lankan society. At the 40th anniversary of its foundation, he calls upon Caritas to support peace between the Tamil Tigers and the army: "people are exhausted with the war."

The government continues its propaganda in support of the war against the Tigers. Much of the population is unaware of the real situation of those living in the area of conflict. Rukshan Fernando, coordinator for the nonprofit organization Law & Society Trust: the refugees are living in precarious conditions, prisoners of the refugee camps.