Through Bearing Witness, Groundviews seeks to engender critical citizen journalism on two vital issues confronting polity and society in post-war Sri Lanka.
The ground conditions in Menik Farm, worsened by recent flooding, are a non-issue for most mainstream print and broadcast media in Sri Lanka. Yet, as this recent report from the UN’s IRIN news service notes,
- Close to 300,000 people now languish in 30 government camps in Vavuniya, Mannar, Jaffna and Trincomalee districts.
- Many of the camps – which were hastily erected in the final days of the war after thousands fled south from former LTTE-controlled areas – suffer from severe overcrowding.
- More than three months since the conflict ended, Zone two of Menik Farm continues to hold close to 55,000 – almost double its planned capacity.
- In fact, in some parts of Menik Farm, a single latrine caters to up to 80 people [Sphere standards call for 20], while some tents designed for five were accommodating up to 14.
There are also very disturbing reports of disappearances and abductions of IDPs from these camps.
On the other hand, a number of media reports on the brutishness of the Police, including high-ranking officers, have incensed those in the South. As the BBC notes,
The public in the South have reacted very angrily after recent incidents of two young people dying while in police custody in Angulana, Moratuwa and a brutal assault on a student in Malabe. The wife and the son of the former director of Colombo Crime Division, and a group of police officers are accused of abducting and brutally assaulting Nipuna Ramanayake, a young IT student. At least 18 police personnel and the family members of Senior Superintendant of Police (SSP) Vaas Gunawardena are currently detained in custody.
Groundviews invites you to critically examine either one of or both these vital and current issues. Entries can be through prose, poetry, cartoons, photos, video or audio, in line with our content submission guidelines. One person / identity may submit up to two entries.
Email all entries to bearingwitness@cpalanka.org
The last date for entries is 25th September 2009. The best submission will be announced on 1st October 2009. On offer as the prize for the best submission is the coveted Flip Ultra video camera. As featured by Amazon the Flip Ultra is;
- Simple to use, pocket-sized camcorder with one-touch recording and digital zoom
- Holds 60 minutes of video using built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required
- Convenient USB arm plugs directly into your computer for easy viewing and sharing
- Built-in software lets you easily e-mail videos, upload to YouTube and capture still photos from video
Entries will be judged by the following distinguished panel,
- Dilrukshi Handunnetti, a lawyer by training and a leading, award winning investigative journalist.
- Sharmini Boyle, who has worked as a television director/producer in Sri Lanka for over 25 years and presently Chief Editor at Young Asia Television, an organisation that is dedicated to social and development communication, producing television programmes on issues of social justice, sustainable development and conflict resolution.
- Lakshman Gunasekera, senior journalist, former Editor of the Sunday Observer and President, South Asian Free Media Association – Sri Lanka Chapter.
- Nalaka Gunawardene, a  journalist, film-maker, media researcher, media trainer, communications consultant and TV host during the past 20 years.
- Shreen Saroor, Senior Change Manager at Ashoka Foundation, Sri Lanka and, amongst many other awards for her pathbreaking work, a recipient of the Women Peacemaker Fellowship from the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice in 2004.