Latest News

Latest News and information on Caritas organization

A Tribute to late Mr. Theivendirarajah

“To lead people for Justice” “Be accountable to God’s love” Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC with deep regret and sorrow announces the demise of its Senior Programme Manager and dear colleague Mr. K. Theivendirarajah on 5th August 2020, at his hometown in Batticoloa. Mr. Theivendirarajah (fondly known as ‘Theiva’) joined the Caritas organization in 1977

Caritas’ Orientation towards Free & Fair Elections

Based on the Position Paper prepared and circulated by Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC to guide the public on the importance of electing the right candidates as members of the new Parliament, Caritas’ Diocesan Centers Island wide have organized several awareness programs and panel discussions to educate voters.  Some of these sessions involved the local

POSITION PAPER OF CARITAS SRI LANKA – SEDEC IN VIEW OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS – 2020

Click here to download

On 10 June 2020, Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya confirmed that the postponed parliamentary elections will be held on 5 August 2020 with strict health measures and guidelines. Out of the total population of 22 million, 16.2 million are eligible to cast their vote to elect 225 members for the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Caritas Sri Lanka –

CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME- in the light of ‘Laudato Si’

Tree Planting Ceremony at St. Joseph Vaz Shrineat Mahagalgamuwa  “Planting trees to combat global warming; Planting trees to save the environment.”  The surrounding area of the National Shrine of St. Joseph Vaz was alive with the smiling faces of the youth from the area carrying banners and placards on the benefits of planting trees in a procession

Serve Humanity with Faith, Hope and Solidarity Caritas Sri Lanka’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Serve Humanity with Faith, Hope and SolidarityCaritas Sri Lanka’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic By Dr. Shemal Fernando, PhD  –  Senior Executive Manager CSL-SEDEC In the recent weeks, the lives of millions of people across the world have suddenly changed. For some, remaining at home has been an opportunity to reflect, to withdraw from the frenetic pace

May he rest in Peace !

With great sorrow, we share the sad news of the passing away of Rev. Fr.Raveen Perera of the Caritas Director Diocese of Badulla, Sri Lanka. May the Lord who called you to be His servant reward you with Eternal Glory! May he rest in Peace  

A Declaration issued by Caritas Sri Lanka Network and the Catholic National Commission for Migration

Ensuring Safe Migration and Preventing Human Trafficking  At the end of a two-day event 20-21 February 2020 at Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC to commemorate the World Migrants Day, a Declaration was read out by the Bishop of Galle Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond Wickremasinghe, Chairman of the Catholic National Commission for Migration.  All those present

Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC strives towards a “Zero Carbon Foot Print’ era

Caritas Sri Lanka conscious of its responsibility of protecting the environment and taking its cue from the exhortations of Pope Francis as reiterated in the “Laudato si” to act more responsibly to safeguard the resources of mother earth and manage its resources in a sustainable manner, has over the years embarked on installing solar panels

World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking – Feast of St Josephine Bakhita,

St Josephine Bakhita, who was sold into slavery at a young age, is known as the Patron Saint of victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. Her Feast Day is on February 8, also known as the World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking On February 11, 2020 Caritas Sri Lanka commemorated the feast of St. Josephine Bakhitha

Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita – “TOGETHER, WE ARE WORKING TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING”

St Josephine Bakhita, also known as ‘Mother Moretta’ (our Black Mother) bore  144 physical scars throughout her life which were received after she was kidnapped at the age of nine and sold into slavery. Such was the trauma experienced that she forgot her birth name and her kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita meaning ‘fortunate’.

A gathering of Sunday School Teachers representing all religious faiths

Caritas Sethsaviya Anuradhapura organized the first gathering of Sunday School Teachers representing Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu and Muslim Communities on 10th and 11th of November 2019.  More than 50 Sunday School Teachers gathered to discuss and explore the possibilities of mutual cooperation, empowering personal spirituality and reflected on what would be the best way to pass

Caritas Sri Lanka involves in Election Monitoring for the Presidential Election – 2019

Caritas diocesan directors and accountants from Jaffna, Batticaloa, Mannar, Trincomalee and Vanni attended the  ‘District Coordinators’ Meeting’ organized by PAFFERL which was held on 1st November 2019 at Renuka City Hotel, Colombo 3.  The objective of the meeting was to explain the duties and responsibilities to officials who will be involved in Presidential election monitoring.

Training Programme on ‘Youth for Ethnic and Religious Harmony through Social Media’

A five day Training Programme was held at Caritas Centre in Chilaw under the ‘Expansion of Religious Amity Programme 2019 – Enhanced Youth Participation’ from 28th October to 01st November, 2019. The theme of the training programme was ‘Youth for Ethnic and Religious Harmony through Social Media’ where 58 enthusiastic youth from Chilaw, Colombo and

NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS CARITAS’ FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM IN THE KANDY DIOCESE

On the invitation of Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatilleke, National Director, H.E. Trine JØranli Eskedal, Ambassador of Norway visited the Food Security program field location in Galaha, Kandy on 17 October 2019 accompanied by Malraji Wanniarachchi, Seniour Advisor, Development and Thilini Kahandawaarachchi, Political Advisor, from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. As a result of the strong partnership

Orientation on Case Handling Mechanism of Safe Migration for Jaffna District DOFEs

An orientation programme for DOFEs (Development Officers of Foreign Employment) on Safe Labour Migration was held at HUDEC Hall, Jaffna on 15th of October 2019. This programme commenced with a small prayer and Mr. Basty Rajith, Programme Coordinator, welcomed Caritas Sri Lanka – SEDEC staff, Mr.Sajith Silva, Program Manager; Mrs.Luxsha Ragunan, Programme Coordinator and Ms.

Awareness on Safe Migration Practices for Selected CBO Leaders

Representatives of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) functioning under different programmes of Caritas Jaffna and those who are affiliated to Women Rural Development Societies participated in a programme on Safe Labour Migration which was held at HUDEC Hall, Jaffna on 16th October 2019. A group of 22 CBOs attended the programme. The Programme Coordinator, Mr.Basty Rajith

World Food Day 2019

Caritas Sri Lanka network commemorated the World Food Day 2019 on 16th October 2019 at Caritas Sri Lanka –SEDEC. This year WFD is being observed under the theme “Our Actions Are Our Future Healthy Diets for A# Zero Hunger World.” The opening ceremony commenced with the Holy Eucharistic celebrated by Rev. Fr. Desmond Perera, Diocesan

Position Paper of the Justice, Peace and Human Development Commission of the CBCSL providing guidelines for the election of the most appropriate candidate for Presidency.

Chairman of the National Election Commission of Sri Lanka has announced that the Presidential Election will be held on 16th November, 2019. Out of the total population of 22 million, 16 million are eligible to cast their vote to elect the new, 08th President of Sri Lanka. Reading the signs of the times in the