Uncategorized

The East-side role of the peace-keeping process in Sri Lanka

Admin August 9, 2021

Neville Uditha Weerasinghe On the 04th of June 2019, the fasting protest held by Rev. Rathana Thero in front of the Sri Dalada Maligawa displaying his disapproval of the appointment of Mr. Hisbullah as the governor of the East came to an end only after the President at the time Hon.

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Why Should the Prevention of Terrorism Act be Repealed

Admin August 8, 2021

Aruna Lakshman Fernando The European Parliament passed a resolution on the 10th that will potentially have a decisive impact on Sri Lanka. The resolution seeks to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act, restore human rights and persuade Sri Lanka to abide by the 27 agreements it has signed with the international community. The European Union […]

In Focus

Chemical Detoxification and Food Security in Sri Lanka

Admin August 6, 2021

Dilhani Thantirimudalige  “Food and medicine are not two different things: they are the front and back of one body. Chemically grown vegetables may be eaten for food, but they cannot be used as medicine.” Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution The recent decision to ban the use of chemical fertilizer on farmlands is seen as a […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights Gender and Identity In Focus

Garment Factories: Fueled by Exploitation and Gender Discrimination

Admin August 6, 2021

Kamanthi Wickramasinghe  Long working hours sans lunch breaks or intermittent rests to meet an overwhelming number of targets in a largely unfriendly working environment sums up what a garment factory worker goes through on a daily basis. But this is just a fraction of the larger picture. Even though the Asia-Pacific region is known as […]

Uncategorized

Peace-building in Sri Lanka: The Path Taken and the Path Ahead

Admin August 6, 2021

Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe  When I became involved in the peace movement during the 1994 Presidential Election, I entered a discourse with a difference concerning Sri Lanka’s ethnic problem. This movement was led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), its Left allies, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and civil society organizations, and individuals who were

Uncategorized

War, the Writer, and Humanity

Admin August 6, 2021

Kapila Kumara Kalinga  “Tasteful writing” is an often-used term in journalism. It refers to writing that captivates the reader in a way that an article can be read in a single breath. Tasteful writing can be achieved through both a simple and smooth use of language as well as in an idiom that is rich […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The 13th Amendment & the Tamil Language

Admin August 5, 2021

R.Ram To retain the 13th Amendment, the only way is to confirm the right of the Tamil language The Sinhala leadership has called for the complete or partial removal of the 13th Amendment. Tamil leaders have also publicly stated that the 13th Amendment cannot be accepted as a solution to the ethnic problem. However, it […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The Future of NGOs in Sri Lanka?

Admin August 5, 2021

R. Ram “Governments in power in the post-war period wished to keep domestic NGOs fully and firmly in check, despite the fluctuations in the ‘grip’ that governments have had on them; there were no differences between them except in degree. It has been announced that steps are being taken for the new bill.” NGOs originated […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Prevention of Terrorism Act and Democracy

Admin August 4, 2021

C.J. Amarathunga MP Rishad Badiudeen is in custody by the time this article is written. Many people think he is on remand, but the informed lawyers point out that he is not on remand.  Police must explain why a person has been arrested under suspicion when police produce a suspect before a court. Police can […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Commission for compensating political reprisal and the future of reconciliation

Admin August 4, 2021

Priyantha Karunarathna President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa appointed a three-member Presidential Commission to look into alleged political victimization of public servants during the period from January 8, 2015, to November 16, 2019. The Commission was chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne and comprises Retired Appeal Court Judge Daya Chandrasiri Jayatilleka and