Remembering the tsunami – along the south coast…
A couple of days ago (26th), I travelled along the South Coast, leaving Colombo early in the morning. I was with a friend who had come here to film some stuff relating…
Year: 2006
Thoughts For Discussion – A JVP View
I would like to throw out a few ideas for those who come from a peacebuilding paradigm for discussion if possible. My recent chat with a long-time supporter of the JVP, now…
A Citizen’s Notes – Thoughts on Human Rights in Sri Lanka
Inspired in part by Sanjana’s speech in early December, I wrote a column for Ravaya on human rights in Sri Lanka, from the perspective of a citizen. This article is in Sinhala…
Mobiles Working Again
After the tension situation (aug 11th) all the mobile phone connections cut by security forces in Jaffna for security reasons. From 25th the mobile phones working again in Jaffna. The mobile phone…
Curfew Relaxed In Jaffna
The curfews which were imposed in the Jaffna peninsula have been relaxed this week from 11.p.m to 4.a.m unlike last month when it was declared between 6.pm and 5.am and the 18…
Maps of shame
Every time I look at an OCHA map of Sri Lanka, the magnitude of the humanitarian crisis is made really clear. For here, we have entire regions, districts of Sri Lanka suffering…
The Best and Worst Tea in Sri Lanka
While Sri Lankan tea is considered one of the best teas in the world, people of Jaffna get to taste the worst tea. The reason is a shortage of tea in Jaffna.…
Human Shields In The Battle Of Sri Lanka
The SLMM in a statement on Dec 12 said they are concerned over the alarming situation in Vakarai. They pointed to the LTTE failing to protect civilians by restricting their movement, and…
Chikenguniya Spreads In Jaffna
More than hundred thousand people have been affected by Chikenguniya in the Jaffna District. Some students sitting for the Ordinary Level examinations were reported to have fainted in examination halls. Deputy director…
Friday thoughts on the JVP and the LTTE
A few days ago I was looking through old newspapers – clippings from the late 80s. Back then, the JVP were referred to ‘subversives’ and the terrorists were – um – I…
LOOKING INTO THE ABYSS
The unsurprising minority report of the APRC Experts Panel is a lawyerly representation of 1956-style Sinhala Buddhist nationalism. It is the legal prototype of the JVP/JHU political rhetoric. As such, it is…
QUO VADIS, MAJORITY REPORT?
Dayan Jayatilleke in the Lanka Academic has attempted a rather more refined apologia for the discordant cacophony that passes for government in respect of conflict resolution and peace nowadays, than the government…
The Storyteller
I first met him in 2004 and liked him immediately. His storytelling was a joy to experience. On our journeys up to Jaffna, the 10 hours would fly as he shared his…
Conflict Situation in Trinco
From my visit to Kantale I can say that Sinhalese people from Seru Nuwara Division are facing human security problems due to artillery and motor strikes from LTTE-controlled Vaharai area. Also over…
The Lessons We Never Learn
 The second commemoration of the tsunami disaster is around the corner. In the past month or so, I have come to know of many organizations and collectives scrambling to put together…
