We the members of the Sri Lanka Working Group meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka from September 24 to 26, 2008 were alarmed by the increasing severity of the humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict which has caused displacement of thousands of people and sufferings of families throughout the country and are particularly concerned about the hundreds of thousands of people displaced...

In the photo is the chief guest Rt. Rev. Dr. Winston J. Fernando, SSS, the Bishop of Badulla, Rev. Fr. Dilex Shantha, Diocesan Director of USCOD Badulla, Rev. Fr. Damian Fernando, National Director - Caritas Sri Lanka(CSL) - SEDEC, Very Rev. Fr. M. Raanayagam, Vicar General and other guests at the 40th Anniversary celebration of Caritas Badulla - USCOD Centre.

A series of grand events took place to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Caritas Sri Lanka (CSL)in Kandy on June 16, 2008 at Caritas Kandy - SETIK centre in collaboration with CSL - SEDEC and Caritas USA /Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

A pioneer in the field of Social Work, Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC (CSL) which is one of the oldest Catholic Organisations in Sri Lanka, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.

Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC’s involvement in training programs against torture began in 2004. They were followed up with a series of workshops and training programs for doctors and lawyers. Since then several other programs have been held and on June 26th on the UN International Day in support of the victims of torture...

The handing over ceremony of Houses built by Caritas Batticaloa-EHED (One of Caritas Sri Lanka’s Diocesan Centers.) in collaboration with the Government took place recently in Kulaveli in the Karaitivu D.S Division of the Ampara District.

Trade Fairs are taking place all through the country to mark the 40th Anniversary of Caritas Sri Lanka (CSL) SEDEC.

The fisheries sector was devastated by the tsunami and the Northern coast was particularly hard hit. Furthermore the prevailing conflict situation and the bans on fishing have made it impossible for the community to eke out their day to day living and ensure their means of livelihood.

It was a special day for the people of Sakoddai and Munai when Caritas Jaffna – HUDEC in collaboration with Caritas Sri Lanka(CSL) – SEDEC and other implementing partners handed over keys to new houses in Jaffna. A total of 96 houses at Munai and 57 houses at Sakkoddai in Point Pedro were handed over on  9th January 2008.

A celebration of the festival of lights, Deepavali, was organised by the National Peace Programme of SEDEC, the Social and Economic Development Centre of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka on November 7… >>

Caritas Chilaw Janasaviya – SEDEC in collaboration with the Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC organized a workshop on Pro life and Anti trafficking for 33 newly recruited Women Police Officers in Madampe, Chilaw on 7th November 2007… >>

Human Life International (HLI) held its 14th Congress from12th -14th November at Baan Phu Waan – Pastrol Training Centre Bangkok Archdiocese on “Interfaith Dialogue and Solidarity on the Value and Meaning of Life”.  600 representatives from 15 countries participated for this congress… >>

The National Peace Programme of Caritas Sri Lanka celebrated International day of peace with a prayer session at the National centre on 21st September 2007. Ian Jayasinghe, Project officer of the National Peace Programme thereafter led the National Centre staff with a peace song, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me…” >>

“Caritas Village” the largest housing scheme cum village was handed over to those affected by tsunami in the Archdiocese of Colombo. Hundred and forty(140) families from Mattakkuliya and Modera areas were relocated on a block of land at the ‘Orange Hill’ Estate, Ragama, purchased by the Archbishop of Colombo Rt.Rev.Dr.Oswald Gomis from the ‘Tsunami Tidal Wave Fund.'. >>

Caritas has constructed 5780 new houses upto now  said Fr. Damian Fernando, National Director of at a  ceremony held  to hand over the keys of fourteen (14 ) newly built houses and a community centre on 13th of August 2007 at Katuneriya  - Muhudukatuwa in Chilaw. >>

The Health and Psychosocial Unit of the Caritas Trincomalee - EHED visited welfare centres at Kiliveddy and Paddithidal villages in the Muthur Division on 26th July 2007. During their visit they provided medicine for  First Aid in these centres. At this centres, they got an opportunity to discuss and monitor the work of the Health Volunteers and Psychosocial workers. >>

A Training of Trainers Programme on the Istanbul Protocol will be held from 30th June – 03rd July 2007 at the Light House Hotel, in Galle. >>

In the true spirit of Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Social Responsibility Foundation of John Keells Holdings donated nearly eight hundred and seventy five thousand (SLR 875,000.00) rupees worth of relief goods for the Internally Displaced People in Vaharai and Batticaloa. The items consisting mats, utensils and other non-food items were handed over to Caritas Sri Lanka-SEDEC... >>

Caritas Sri Lanka and its Peace Task Force invited ‘Jathika Hela Urumaya’, a Buddhist political party consisting of Parliamentarians and Buddhist monks early March 2007, for a discussion on the suspended peace process. This was a part of the mediation of the Catholic Church to gather differently opinionated groups to influence the parties in conflict to solve their differences and... >>

International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, 2007 recognizes and celebrates the contribution of women all around the world. The United Nations theme for this year’s International Women's Day is "Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls”... >>

“ We can't even dream to build a home like this in our lifetime “ said a beneficiary Ms. Disna Chrishanthi at the ceremonial opening of houses in Chilaw. Caritas Chilaw – Janasaviya in collaboration with Caritas Sri Lanka- SEDEC handed over houses to 7 families at Wellamankaraya, Nainamaduwa... >>

Knanamutthu Jebanesan's garden in Periyakulam in North East of Sri Lanka has become a model of courage to many in the area affected by Tsunami as well as the conflict. “Many people visit my garden to see it cherished with green vegetables and bloomed with flowers,” says this thirty years old proud proprietor of his one and a half acre land... >>

Wednesday 21st February 2007 marks the beginning of the Lenten period. It is an important time for all Catholics around the world. The forty days of Lent enable us to prepare for Easter by prayer, fasting and penance...
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