Melani Manel Perera

Back from the "Terra Petra" forum, parallel to the FAO meeting in Rome, the activist Kumara attacks the solutions of world leaders, "the same for more than 10 years", and explains the urgency of giving small producers the possibility of choosing their activities.

After a series of attacks against civilians prelates sign a joint statement slamming the violence, urging government and Tamil Tigers to open peace negotiations.

A group of fisherwomen complain that poverty and malnutrition loom over the local population unless the government acts. Limits on when fishing can be done should be lifted and funds should be spent to help families left homeless by the 2004 tsunami.

For president Rajapaksa, in Rome for the FAO summit, the priority is to increase food production to meet domestic demand. But citizens and opposition parties complain that the government is doing nothing against inflation, and are asking for reductions in public spending.

This morning artillery shells land in villages killing and maiming Tamil civilians, damaging O.M.I. Missionary-owned buildings. Yesterday in Colombo more than a thousand people from every ethnic and religious background protested against the war.

Five media organisations write to the secretary of defence, criticising his intimidation of two journalists "guilty" of participating in a protest over the violence of the armed forces against "inconvenient" reporters.

The day following the attack on the outskirts of Colombo that killed nine, the inhabitants of the capital are demonstrating great opposition to a military solution of the civil conflict, and expressing serious concern over the future of the country.

After the bombing yesterday, which killed 10, the Buddhist community is afraid of new attacks during celebrations for Vesak. Many are thinking about staying at home in their villages instead of participating in public ceremonies in the capital.

A powerful appeal from the National Peace Council to the authorities, that they safeguard the Tamil minority as well, against violence on the part of unknown groups, but also against abuses by the police. For the important Buddhist feast of Vesak, a call for compassion and respect.

Sri Lanka’s army accepts bishop’s request to demilitarise a 2.5 area around the shrine. In a few weeks, after the area has been cleared of mines and the temple repaired, the statue will come back in time for the Feast of the Assumption, an important moment of unity for both Tamils and Sinhalese.

In the first local elections in the eastern provinces in 20 years the ruling party alliance wins. For Sri Lanka’s president this is a sign of popular support for his anti-terrorism policies. But opposition parties and independent observers complain about irregularities and widespread intimidations.

A report from the justice and peace commission of the diocese of Jaffna denounces the drama of the children driven to enlist by the threats and terror exercised by the army and the rebels. The alarm is over the social repercussions of generations growing up amid violence.