Year: 2007

Disaster Management, Human Rights, Human Security, Peace and Conflict, Trincomalee

Groundviews on 04/05/200704/11/2008

Colombo, Human Rights, Peace and Conflict

Human Rights and a Political Settlement: Regime Defences Wearing Thin

The two main criticisms against the Rajapaksa regime relate to human rights and a negotiated political settlement of the conflict.Ã‚Â In summary the charge is that the regime is unwilling to do…

on 04/04/2007

Peace and Conflict

Amnesty Campaign: Some quick thoughts

I never thought I’d say this, but I think Amnesty International has made a big mistake in launching its latest human rights campaign against Sri Lanka against the backdrop of the World…

on 04/04/2007

Colombo, Human Rights, Peace and Conflict

Which comes first – Human Rights, Media or Terrorism?

Judging by his own standards and those laid down in public by his government, our incumbent President is Sri Lanka’s No. 1 “traitor”. In branding those who champion human rights in Sri…

Sunanda Deshapriya on 04/04/2007

Advocacy, Colombo, Constitutional Reform, Peace and Conflict

A Marxist Perspective on Constitutional Reforms

Erik Olin Wright, in his interesting and insightful article entitled Ã¢Â€ÂœCompass Points: Towards a Socialist AlternativeÃ¢Â€Â (in New Left Review No. 41, Sep-Oct, 2006), dissects the term Ã¢Â€ÂœsocialÃ¢Â€Â that has been present…

Sumanasiri Liyanage on 04/03/2007

Advocacy, Colombo, Human Rights, Peace and Conflict

Peace professionals and War professionals

By Rajan Philips There has been a spate of writings on the political economy of war, particularly relating to the war on terror that President Bush has imposed on the world as…

Groundviews on 04/02/2007

Colombo, Human Rights, Peace and Conflict

Hypocrisy defined: Mahinda Chintanaya and Ranil in the 90’s and today

I am variously labeled in the media and was most recently called a traitor. Not the first time I’ve heard it and won’t be the last, but this time, it was because…

Sunanda Deshapriya on 03/30/2007

Colombo, Human Security, Peace and Conflict

LTTE Air Strike: Turning Point or Confirmation of Protracted Conflict?

Mr Prabhakaran has managed yet again to shock and even awe with the air strike on the Katunayake air base, even though the talk about a Tiger air capability has been around…

on 03/29/2007

Colombo, Peace and Conflict

A Wave of Relief

Since the devastating tsunami struck the coastal areas of Sri Lanka just over two years ago, there have been mixed reviews about the rehabilitation process reported in the media. On the one…

niacharpentier on 03/28/2007

Advocacy, Colombo, Human Rights, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Peace and Conflict

Conspiracy Theories

Regrettably, the continuing tragedy of violent conflict in Sri Lanka is further compounded by the increasing emergence of all manner of conspiracy theories. Because of their risquÃƒÂ© sensationalism with scant regard for…

Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa on 03/28/2007

Colombo, Peace and Conflict

Victor Ivan: This is your conscience speaking! – An open letter to the Ravaya Editor

Photo credit: Tamilnation In my article to Groundviews, I ask what I believe is an extremely pertinent question from my erstwhile colleague, Victor Ivan, the Editor of Ravaya. I ask him to…

Groundviews on 03/28/2007

Colombo, Peace and Conflict

Flying Tigers…

From Australia: This image occupies almost half a page in the World section of today’s Age – the leading paper in Melbourne. I am sure it has also been printed in the…

sam on 03/27/2007

Colombo, Constitutional Reform, Peace and Conflict

Federalism in verse: An idea

A conversation with a friend over SMS when I was at a book launch recently: Sanjana: “At Sumane’s book launch. Peace and federalism are supposedly nigh” MR (Friend): “That sounds fun. So…

Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa on 03/26/2007

Human Rights, Human Security, Jaffna, Peace and Conflict

Another neglected neighbour

Several stories related to the conflict in Sri Lanka remain untold by the Indian media, including the situation of the embattled media in Sri Lanka. Ammu Joseph The renewed conflict in Sri…

Ammu Joseph on 03/26/200704/11/2008

Colombo, Peace and Conflict

Politicizing Aid

From CommonDreams.org The United States is a major donor in Sri Lanka and funds projects and initiatives ranging from infrastructure development to governance and research. The question on aid conditionalities and parochial…

Groundviews on 03/24/2007