News
Lankan nuns march for unwed mothers, abuse victims
About 1,000 illegal abortions take place on the island nation daily, media reports say
Hundreds of Catholic nuns took to the streets on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, to call on the government and other groups to protect the rights of unwed mothers and abuse victims. The nuns from Good Shepherd congregation, wearing their religious habits, carried white boxes as they rallied March 5 to collect donations to support victims of rape, abuse, child marriage and unwed mothers.
Sister Rosary Perera, head of the Ave Maria Convent near St. Peter’s Church in Negombo, said the rally was part of a national campaign by her religious order.
“We are organizing this local fundraising campaign across all 12 dioceses, supported by nuns and a few lay people, to care for orphaned children and unwed mothers, aiming to uplift the lives of women and girls in mortal danger,” Perera told UCA News March 5.
Many people generously donated money to support those in need.
A rape victim from Badulla city, who received support from the nuns said the nuns fill voids for abuse victims with protection and care.
“The nuns advise victims not to have abortions but give the children to them. They help parents besides the victims. They encourage those who seek abortion to contact them first,” said the victim, a Hindu, who declined to reveal her identity.
“When an underage girl is raped and becomes pregnant, the rapist often escapes, while the girl faces rejection from her family, community, and society, with some resorting to sex work or suicide,” she said.
“Due to the dedication and support of the compassionate and understanding nuns, both the mother and child are given a new chance at life,” she added.
Between 800 and 1,000 abortions take place in the country daily despite abortion being illegal, media reports say.
The Sri Lankan Penal Code criminalizes abortion except for cases when the mother’s life is at risk.
However, many women, especially victims of sexual abuse, often seek abortion illegally with the help of medical doctors, to escape the social stigma related to rape and children born to unwed women.
Thousands of women and children are raped each year, and many cases go unreported as outdated laws and societal norms fail to protect victims, according to Equality Now, an organization tracking violence against women and girls.
Sister Priyangani Hathurusinghe, principal of Ave Maria Convent, sent a letter to the parents of her students recently, urging them to make generous contributions to support their mission for the poor, needy, and destitute.
“As you are already aware the Convent at Nayakakanda attends to a variety of their needs such as caring for abandoned children, to uplift the lives of women and girls in mortal danger and many others. In order to carry out these works of charity, we need your financial support and help,” the nun’s letter read.
George Dias, a businessman from Negombo who donated cash to the nuns, praised their mission, saying that it serves all religious communities.
“Their call for action transcends religious boundaries, with the nuns not only raising awareness but also seeking practical support to provide unwed mothers and children from traumatic situations with safe spaces and a better future,” he said.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.
In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.
The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.
It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.
Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.
Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.
On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.
[BBC]
SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).
The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.
They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.
The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)
The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.
The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.
Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”
BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.
Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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