The promise of Citizen Journalism: Article on Madrid11
Madrid11 features an article I wrote on Groundviews, where I explore the potential of citizen journalism to support & strengthen peacebuilding in Sri Lanka. Read the full article here.
Year: 2007
Conflict on canvas
The portrayal of war and conflict through art is not a new phenomenon. From ancient cave paintings depicting tribal battles, to the Bayeux Tapestry illustrating the Battle of Hastings, right up to…
If this is not war, what is?
I find it somewhat ironical and amusing when politicians and peace activists alike still talk about . What peace process? Which peace process? I believe the majority of them are still referring…
Crossing over into chaos
That Sri Lanka faces a serious crisis of governance is evinced by the crossing over of 16 of UNP MPs to government ranks in January 2007. Bi-partisanship, once again, fails in Sri…
Abandoned War Displaced People From Border Villages
The people who are displaced from border villages in the east face many problems. However other communities get assistances through some NGO’s or CBO’s (community base organization) than the Singhalese communities. Specially…
Would the Real Dutugemunu Please Stand Up? Nationalism, ‘Authenticity’ and Populist Mobilisation in Sri Lanka
Would the Real Dutugemunu Please Stand Up? Nationalism, ‘Authenticity’ and Populist Mobilisation in Sri Lanka The current political context is one in which the Government of Sri Lanka has obviously swung in…
Just imagine
JVP and LTTE meet in the Vanni  In an unexpected turn of events the leadership of the JVP met with the LTTE leadership earlier this week. No details are available at…
Seeing mobile phones as a basic human right
News that mobile phone users in the North & East of Sri Lanka are once again cut off is a disturbing trend in the erosion of fundamental rights, including Article 19 of…
Do Tigers Swim in the Sea?
Do they really? Everyone says they do; but I’m not convinced they do it anymore. Yes, I know they did it back in the ‘80s, and even in the early to mid-‘90s….
Jaffna People Back To Barter Business
Jaffna people back to age-old barter business. After the land route closed all the things distributed through the MPCS including milk powder. Last week one packet of milk powder was issued to…
Sun, sea and suicide bombers
Although the tourism industry has invested heavily in improving standards and services after the Ceasefire Agreement was signed in 2002, the number of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka continues to be threatened…
Insight into Governance from the Arrest that did not happen
The story that the editor of the Sunday Leader was to be arrested on account of that paper’s reportage on the proposed construction of a presidential bunker and the subsequent reportage that…
The Costs and Consequences of ‘Clearing’ the East
Last week this column ended with the statement that there was a lot to be learnt and unlearnt in 2007. The new year is now with us and with it the unfolding…
Queue For Pongal Rice
People waiting in a queue in Jaffna to buy 1kg red rice and and 1kg brown sugar for Thai Pongal (festival) on 15.1.07. January is the first pongal for farmers day where…
Human displacement
Two posts on DBS Jeyraj’s blog highlight aspects of the humanitarian crisis in the North and the East already flagged here. Civilians in Vaakarai face death and starvation Displaced Tamils face difficulties…