Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

One Country, Multiple Laws

Admin August 12, 2021

C.J. Amarathunga In Sri Lanka, “One country-One law” emerged as a powerful slogan in recent political and media engagement. Its implication, on the whole, suggested that for a country to be united its citizens had to be subjected to a single rule of law; that the exercise of law must not have

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Law and Order

Admin August 12, 2021

Wishwajith Kodikara Many Sri Lankans relate to the month of May as the Vesak season because the full moon day of the month marks the birth, enlightenment, and the parinirvana of Lord Buddha. For Buddhists, it is a month of mindfulness and merit, including the giving of alms. Apart from that, as a month, May […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Fiery line-houses – plantation people seeking a solution

Admin August 9, 2021

Jeeva Sathasivam The greatest of man’s inventions is fire! That fire will bring many benefits as long as it is under his control. That can lead to many risks when the control is lost. Though it is said to be a fire accident it’s actually a fire hazard. There have been many incidents of fires […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The Thousand Rupee Demand & the Reality: The Prospects of Plantation Workers

Admin August 9, 2021

Malliyappusandi Thilakan Since 2015, the plantation workers of Sri Lanka have been demanding a daily pay hike up to Rs.     1,000, and it seems they have finally achieved it. The government ordered plantation companies to increase the salary up to Rs. 900 and further Rs. 100 as overtime.   The plantation companies have taken […]

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Why Should the Prevention of Terrorism Act be Repealed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 […]

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 […]

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