Society

The Easter Sunday Aftermath in Ampara “I bartered fish for jack fruit. All that is ruined now”

Admin September 16, 2019

Z.A. RAHUMAN In the aftermath of Easter Sunday’s attacks, we wanted to gauge its effects on people around the country. We spoke with a trader from the Amapara District recently to understand the impact on people in his areq. “I was doing a barter business. I took things from this area to sell

Society

Youth Reconciliation A Meaningful Resolution

Admin September 16, 2019

UPUL THAMMITA The Easter Sunday attacks across Sri Lanka created an uncomfortable aftermath among the country’s populace. Just a decade after a 30-year long ethnic conflict, another one seemed to be on the horizon due to a small group with extremist ideologies. In the wake of this situation, The Catamaran spoke with opinion leaders, monks […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Society

After Easter Sunday A Journey into Reconciliation

Admin August 21, 2019

K.BAANU This is a brief interview with Ms. Juwairiya, Director at Muslim Women Development Trust and Counsellor, Empowerment of Women and Families on the much needed reconciliation efforts that should take place after the recent Easter Sunday Attacks. ‘We have been able to exist in Sri Lanka thus far because of the small manifestations of […]

Society

In Conversation with Dr. Packiyasothy Savaranamuthu Why should we co-exist?

Admin August 16, 2019

PRIYADHARSHINI SIVARAJAH In the present Sri Lankan context, bringing about reconciliation and coexistence among the races requires discussion on proposals submitted by us in 2015 regarding transitional justice, amendments to the constitution and reconciliation activities said Dr. Packiyasothy Saravanamuthu, Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives and Secretary,

Society

Returning to Church after Easter Sunday Kochchikade Devotees Defeat the Devil:

Admin August 13, 2019

SAMAN MANKKAARACHCHI The aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks were devastating. Moreover, the attacks intended to cause fear and disharmony, similar to the work of the devil in the Christian faith. However, the devotees coming to the reconstructed cathedral of Kochchikade raise their hands to pray for their long journey of brotherhood and unshaken faith. […]