Melani Manel Perera

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.

The charitable organization of the Catholic Church has assisted almost 60,000 people struck by the tsunami. An example of the efforts of Caritas, which for 40 years has been working in favor of the population of the island, without distinction of caste or religion.

The minister for traditional medicine illustrates for parliament the results of Ayurvedic cures. In addition to people infected with HIV, those sick with cancer, asthma, and kidney problems also see benefits from treatments applied according to a millennia-old tradition that is very widespread in the country.

The Nisansala Centre is home to about 150 kids and young adults living with mental and physical disabilities. It provides an answer to a problem that is widespread across the country, where most of the 87,000 young disabled people are cared for by their families alone and unable to attend regular schools.

The charitable organization is celebrating its anniversary with two days dedicated to trade fairs. From the initial intuition of Fr. Joseph Fernando, who conceived the first center in Colombo, to its current presence all over the country with 11 operating facilities and more than 300 other locations involved.

The project, designed to meet energy needs, is bringing hardship and problems for the inhabitants of the villages in the region. From civil society, protests against the government, which has not maintained its promises. Tourism and the job market also being harmed.