Police in Sri Lanka show their true saffron colours
Lest we forget, the Sri Lankan police, who act under the orders and protection of the Ministry of Defence, are far from doyens of impartiality. A few weeks ago, we noted that “it…
Year: 2013
The empty findings of Sri Lanka’s Military Court of Inquiry
Image courtesy RNW Colombo’s contempt for the international community seems to be increasing. The recent media release on the findings of the Military Court of Inquiry stretch credibility. While I have not…
Northern Provincial Council Election and the Future of Lankan Tamil Politics
This year promises to be a decisive one for Lankan Tamils. Events that take place this year will considerably determine the future trajectory of Tamil politics. It is only a beginning where…
Drawing the Battle Lines
The growing anti-Muslim sentiment in Sri Lanka is pushing us to respond in numerous ways: we are talking, flustered, hopeless and helpless, shouting in outrage (when no one will listen), holding our…
The Fashion Bug case: A turning point for Muslim rights in Sri Lanka
The judicial case related to the violent attack on Muslim owned Fashion Bug head office and warehouse in Pepiliyana, 10 km away from Colombo, is destined to be a turning point in Muslim…
Sri Lanka and Indian / American Agendas
Having read a post by HE Jaliya Wickramasuriya, our Ambassador in the USA, titled “A Role for Sri Lanka in US Pivot to Asia”, I thought it may be ideal to understand…
Strengthening innovation in Sri Lanka: In conversation with Anushka Wijesinha
Anushka Wijesinha is a Research Economist at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka and is one of the most prominent voices in Sri Lanka today championing innovation. We begin by…
Underneath an Arabian Bo Tree
It was late evening in the Persian Gulf and there was a cool summer breeze wafting through the wide wooden door as the two ladies approached it. One of them carried my…
Questions the public must ask in Sri Lanka
Photo courtesy BBC In the few days following the UNHRC meetings in Geneva, we have witnessed several act of blatant criminality by mobs on people and property- in greater Colombo, Killinochchi and…
‘Where every prospect pleases, man alone is vile’
Image courtesy Aaron Joel Santos The title of this article is a line from a beautifully haunting hymn written by Bishop Heber of Calcutta who, clearly, had an imperialistic mindset. He visited our…
A Tolerant Sri Lanka: How far will we go?
The past few weeks have seen a rise in incidents and publicly expressed sentiments against the Muslim community by groups who claim to represent the rights of Sinhala Buddhists in Sri Lanka….
Impeachment of Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice and its impact: Poll results
Photo courtesy Euronews From 6 – 21 March 2013, ran an online poll to ascertain opinions on the lasting impact of the unprecedented impeachment of Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice. The online poll…
Colonizing Childhood and Zionist Pedagogy: Interview With Prof. Nurit Peled-Elhanan
Nurit Peled-Elhanan is a professor of language and education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, peace educator and activist and co-laureate along with late Prof. Izzat Gazzawi of the 2001 Sakharov Prize…
Taking old friends too seriously: Sri Lanka, Burma and Buddhist extremism
(Caption and content from Reuters) Sri Lanka’s long relationship with Burma is something that anyone who has even a nodding acquaintance with Sri Lankan history is aware of. In both nations, Theravada…
Helping the Police arrest brutish “monks” in Sri Lanka
Apparently the infamous Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has condemned the attack on Fashion Bug warehouse a few days ago and asked the Police to arrest those involved in it, even if they…
