Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Commemorating Richard de Zoysa in a Time of Peace

Admin March 19, 2021

Vihanga Perera 18th February  marked the 31st death commemoration of Richard de Zoysa who, after being abducted from his home in Welikadawatte, was killed by a death squad operating under the knowledge of the political elite. At the time, de Zoysa was just 32 and emerging as a journalist

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

A One-sided War Continues in the Dark: On the Mullivaikkal Monument Demolition

Admin March 19, 2021

Bhavna Mohan Almost 12 years after the 26-year long civil war that plagued our island was officially declared over, Sri Lanka is not completely free of its divisiveness. The demolition of the Mullivaikkal monument at the University of Jaffna on the night of 8th January 2021, intended to be done on the sly, and the […]

Transparency and corruption in public service

Democracy & Development in the Provincial Council (Part 1)

Admin March 19, 2021

Sampath Deshapriya Provincial council elections and the provincial council system at large have once again become a major political topic in the country. At the same time, there is a debate as to whether the Provincial Council elections will be held under the old system or under the new system. The delimitation report on this […]

Transparency and corruption in public service

Democracy & Development in the Provincial Council (Part 2)

Admin March 19, 2021

Sampath Deshapriya In Sri Lanka, Provincial Councils have the power to make statutes on their subjects, but this has barely been implemented. Even the Northern Provincial Council, which came into power after the end of the war, has almost no charter of its own. All that was done was a passing of resolutions from time […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Several problems related to the Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka – Part 1

Admin March 19, 2021

Dhanushka Silva Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka was established in 1997. The legal framework of the commission is explained in number 21, the Human Rights Commission Act. According to the act, the basic duty of the commission is to enhance the condition of Sri Lankan human rights following international standards. It also pioneers and […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Several Problems Related to the Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka – Part 2

Admin March 19, 2021

Dhanushka Silva Mr. Jagath Balasooriya will become the new president of the Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka. He does not own a master’s degree on Human Rights or Law. The terrible case is him being a former politician who represented the party that is in power now. He has been a deputy minister and […]

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

UNHRC Resolution 30/1, OHCHR Report and International Accountability – Part 2

Admin March 19, 2021

Harindrini Corea The Report on Sri Lanka, by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, prior to the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2021, was published on the 27th of January this year. The Report was submitted as per the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 40/1 […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

LOVE CAN’T DISAPPEAR Missing Lovers Day

Admin March 19, 2021

Asanka Abeyratne “Even if you disappear from my world, your memories will always be with me. No one can make it disappear, my love is alive”.  She met us on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2020 at the Vihara Mahadevi Park in Colombo. That is how she remembered her husband’s love along with the other families […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

WHITE CLOTH: The Continuous Struggle Against Cremation

Admin March 19, 2021

Ahsan Afthar The only thing we can do for a person after their death is to conduct the last rites in a manner the deceased’s culture requires. This fundamental right has become an exemption in Sri Lanka. Not only is there a refusal to bury, but the irony is also refusing the right to demonstrate […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

A Fresh Look at Prisons and the Rehabilitation Process

Admin March 19, 2021

Harindrini Corea The Prison Study, conducted by the Human Rights Commission (HRC) reports on the weaknesses in the existing corrections system and the necessity for a rehabilitative focus rather than punitive one for there to be effective prevention of crime. The high rates of recidivism in Sri Lanka suggest that there are problems with the […]