Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Human Rights essential for better recovery

Admin January 10, 2020

Dhanushka Silva International Human Rights Day falls on December 10th every year. The theme of Human Rights Day is ‘Recover Better – Stand Up for Human Rights’. Although human rights are common to the entire world, Asians continue to view human rights as a western concept. That dogma can

Society

Activism in the School Sector A Sinhalese Fights for the Rights of Muslim Teachers

Admin January 7, 2020

UPUL THAMMITA In conversation with the Secretary of Inter-faith Committee of Kandy, Renuka Maliyagoda Future generations are the lifeline of a nation. Protecting teachers who educate such generations then is our national responsibility. Renuka Maliyagoda is a retired teacher who fights for the rights of such teachers. She is the secretary of the Inter-faith Committee […]

In Focus

Beautiful Paintings by Beautiful Minds Uniting the Country with Public Space Art

Admin January 7, 2020

GAYAN YADDEHIGE Artists of all ethnicities gather to create public space art to promote reconciliation A collective of artists are gathered to paint empty walls in and around Kandy town. Mobilized by a Facebook message, they come with no racial or religious bias. Instead, they are united in their task to beautify Kandy. Udara Chaturaka, […]

Society

Bound by Humanity Brothers of One Family

Admin January 7, 2020

UPEKSHA UDUWARALLA A story of reconciliation from inside a drug rehabilitation Centre in Sri Lanka They belong to one nation but they follow different religions. They are also all former drug addicts and have been living here for a year like brothers of one family who have no race, caste or creed differences that prevail […]

Society

A Story from North Acceptance, Freedom & Development

Admin January 7, 2020

PRASAD PURNAMAL JAYAMANNA “We only need acceptance, freedom and development.” says Nadaraja Sivamalan from Omanthai “We suffered immensely due to the war. We need no more wars. We want to see this country developed. Also, we trust the new President will take care of us. We only need acceptance, freedom and development.” said Nadaraja Sivamalan […]

Society

Against all Odds Fruits of a Barren Land

Admin January 7, 2020

KARUNARATHNA GAMAGE In Polonnaruwa, Samantha and his wife have found inventive ways to water the barren land and keep it evergreen. Looking at Samantha’s farmland, one realized that the forces of nature have no effect here. Samantha and his wife have found inventive ways to water the barren land and keep it evergreen. We met […]

In Focus

Helping Post-War Single-Parent Households Economic Stability offered by Muslim Business owners

Admin December 21, 2019

SARANYA SUBRAMANIYAM How post-war, single parent households are offered economic stability by Muslim-owned businesses in Batticaloa “Women must first have the economic strength to face life with determination” says Rasa Letchumi. She lives in Manchanthoduvai area in the Batticaloa district. She is known as ‘Erumbu Rasam’ (The Ant Rasam) because she is so active! Born […]

Uncategorized

President Rajapakse’s Priority Will the New President Focus on Reconciliation?

Admin December 13, 2019

BHARATI RAJANAYAGAM Reflections on President Gotabaya Rajapakse’s swearing in ceremony at Ruwanweliseya With the election of Gotabhaya Rajapakse as the 7th president of Sri Lanka, questions about reconciliation and political settlement are being raised. Will the new president act in a manner that serves the aspirations of the majority or will he consider himself president

Society

Seed-Bombing for Regeneration Re-foresting War-Torn Forestlands

Admin December 13, 2019

NATALIE SOYSA In conversation with conservationist and academic A.M.Riaz on his mission to reforest postwar Sri Lanka A.M.Riaz Ahmed, Senior Lecturer in Zoology, Department of Applied Sciences, South-Eastern University has been busy planting seedlings for the regeneration of plants and forests in war torn areas of Sri Lanka, in addition to his interests in botany […]

Society

Addressing Rights Organizations Human Rights Can’t be Won by Fighting Alone

Admin December 13, 2019

KALAVARSHNY KANAGARATNAM In conversation with Surangi Ariyawansa, Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights “When we get complaints related to human rights violations, we jointly appealing to the Human Rights Commission is the way forward. Human and civil rights organizations need to work together as a network,” says Surangi Ariyawansa, Executive Director of the