Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The right to express opinions is not a virus (Part 2)

Admin March 19, 2021

Asanka Abeyrathna Communities that follow various religions and philosophies are present in Sri Lanka. However, within this context, due to Buddhism being given a priority place with our constitution it can be noted that this is a violation of the ICCPR convention. While our Constitution

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights Transparency and corruption in public service

UNHRC Resolution 30/1, OHCHR Report and international accountability – Part 1

Admin March 19, 2021

Harindrini Corea In September 2015, the United Nations released a report on human rights violations committed in Sri Lanka during the final stages of the civil war and the surrounding period (2002-2011) in the aftermath of an international investigation. The government of Sri Lanka responded through the co-sponsoring of Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 (UNHRC […]

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Women in Terror and Women in Peace (Part I)

Admin March 19, 2021

Dhanushka Silva “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” William Ross Wallace For many Sri Lankans like me, this proverb is not merely metaphorical. It is very much a materiality as Sri Lankan history evinces evidence of women playing an instrumental role in different aspects of social life. There […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The Position Given to Sexual Labor in Sri Lankan System of Law

Admin March 19, 2021

Dhanushka Silva Selling somebody’s sexuality for a considerable amount of money is considered as the origin of the world’s first occupation. Ancient civilizations such as Greek, Hebrew and Roman are some of the examples to prove that sexual labour had been a popular occupation in the world from ancient civilizations. Therefore, it is clear that […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

What is Secularism: A Sri Lankan Understanding (Part II)

Admin March 19, 2021

Dhanushka De Silva The Indo-American Model It is accepted that secularism is a “WatchDog” of Indian democracy. Although the term ‘Secular’ was not expressly enumerated in the original version of the Constitution made by the constituent assembly, there was a wide drawn discussion amongst constitution architects, Dr Ambedkar, Neru and Gandhi over the fact that […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

What’s secularism: A Sri Lankan Understanding (Part I)

Admin March 19, 2021

Dhanushka De Silva Federalism is a concept that creates an indefinite sense of fear among the Sinhalese in the South. Similarly the concept of a unitary state does the same among the Tamil people in the North. Both concepts are merely power-sharing mechanisms that scatter power from the centre to the periphery. They have not yet been […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

INSIDE AN OUTSIDER’S CULTURE: The Rebellious History of Music

Admin March 19, 2021

Natalie Soysa “Ever since I was 12 years old I had to defend my love for heavy metal against those who say it’s a less valid form of music. My answer now is that you either feel it or you don’t. If metal doesn’t give that overwhelming surge of power that makes the hair stand […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights Transparency and corruption in public service

The Conspiracy of Myanmar Thathmada and Restriction of Facebook

Admin March 19, 2021

Asanka Abeyrathna Myanmar is the most controversial state which attracted international attention in recent history. Myanmar has been taken as an example to illustrate the characteristics of the military regime prevailing in the world. At the same time, the progressive forces in Myanmar are engaged in the attempt of establishing a democratic ruling system instead […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights Transparency and corruption in public service

Military Dictatorial Regime or Radical Democracy? (Part 2)

Admin March 19, 2021

Asanka Abeyrathna “Just started the next presidential election campaign with a black Sunday” has been my Facebook status after few minutes of the Easter attack on 21st April 2019.  The idea of most social media platform users was the same. They thought such a thing would not have happened if Gotabhaya Rajapaksha was ruling the […]

Uncategorized

Would we let the next generation embrace a gloomy future?

Admin March 19, 2021

Naveen Silva The 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, once said, “War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other’s children.” As Sri Lankans, we have experienced fear when […]