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RECONCILIATION: We are afraid to talk about difficult things

Admin September 15, 2019

KURINCHPPAARTHTHAN ‘Reconciliation cannot be reached by simply sitting together and talking.  We must also talk about some difficult things. But I feel that we are afraid to discuss these things openly’ says Ambiga Satkunanathan, Commissioner, Human Rights Commission.  Her interview

Society

The Best Answer to Extremism: Building One Sri Lankan Society

Admin September 11, 2019

MELANI MANEL PERERA The Sri Lanka Public Health Guild says the best way to build a nation is to build a national society with a sense of Sri Lankan-ness without making changes according to ethnic communities. The Guild represents 57 civil society organizations and individuals.  A former advisor and convener and former health education official/social […]

In Focus

Talking to Writer Fatima Zimara Ali “They only have Islamic names, but they aren’t real Muslims”

Admin September 6, 2019

KURINCHPPAARTHTHAN “Islam does not permit extremism. It is a peaceful religion. Suicide is a totally prohibited in Islam. This is what the moulavis (Religious scholars) teach on the Friday sermons” says Fathima Zimara Ali, a writer who published under the pseudonym Oothaapoo. Her literary contributions lead her to be conferred title “Desakeerthi” by the state […]

In Focus

Terrorism & Islam “When I see them, my agony increases”

Admin September 5, 2019

PRIYATHARSHAN The Easter Sunday bomb blast in Sri Lanka claimed the life of more than 200 people. Hundreds more were injured. The incident caused deep sorrow among several and led to suspicions and conflicts among communities in the country. The Catamaran met some of the victims of Negombo’s St. Sebastian church, where communities have dwelled […]

Society

Organ Donors: No racial discrimination when saving a life

Admin September 2, 2019

PRIYADHARSHINI SIVARAJAH “A person’s organs can be surgically implanted into another person’s body in order to save them. We never ask anyone their religion or ethnicity when coming to our bank either to donate or receive organs. Neither do they ask because this is immaterial. They need an organ to survive. As human beings, all […]

Society

In Conversation with Dr. Panneerselvam “The People Must Put an End to This”

Admin September 2, 2019

TUSANTHAN VAYIRAMUTHTHU ‘In this country, when everyone thinks they are Sri Lankans by giving the first place to humanity and humanism and bring an end to extremist ideas about race, religion and language, there will be no extremist activities or war in this country,’ said Dr. Nagamuthu Panneerselvam, social activist and president of the Humanitarian […]

Society

Humanity & Trust What is more important than race?

Admin August 30, 2019

SARATH MANULAWICKRAMA Ansar is a rich man; a member of the Anuradhapura Municipal Council, he comes with three decades of political and business experience. “There are two groups of people who hold trust in the midst of life’s inevitable breakups. One is the Sinhala consumer. The other group is the Sinhala voter” he says. A […]

In Focus

The Kattankudy Story In Brotherhood with the South

Admin August 29, 2019

MANGALANATH LIYANAARCHCHI Since the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, many around the island view Kattankudy in the Easten Province in a negative light. The date palm trees, Arabic signboards and a 100% Muslim population in the town have contributed to several myths being spread by an anti-Muslim propaganda machine. The Catamaran went to Kattankudy […]

Society

Programmes Initiated to Heal Hearts & Households The Katuwapitiya Aftermath

Admin August 27, 2019

PRASAD PURNAMAL JAYAMANNA Just three months after the suicide bomb attack that took place on Easter Sunday, we wanted to take a closer look at how the people of Katuwapitiya recovering from their tragedy. It was not surprising to find many activities and initiatives in place aimed at reviving the locale and lifting the spirits […]

Video

සාමය අහිමි වීම සිනමාවක් නොවේ.

Admin August 23, 2019