The Washington Notes
Featured image courtesy the Daily Signal America’s election day is quickly approaching and so writing about something besides the Trumpian phenomenon or Hillary Clinton’s emails or how deeply flawed U.S. democracy is…
Year: 2016
Pushpe’s Lanka
He can see through the threatening spikes of barbed wire. He is anguished recalling the nightmarish experiences of violent outbreaks. But he was hardly hopeless eyewitness. He allows his works to narrate…
Flavour Profile
Food is as central to the experience of Sri Lanka as a game of cricket. As cricket is to recreation, food has transcended its functional purpose of nutrition to become, for many,…
ACHIEVING DURABLE REFORM IN SRI LANKA
Image courtesy Tamil Canadian Time and again, countries that have experienced repression and armed conflict have an opportunity to transition to a better future. Yet, only a minority succeeds. The challenges may…
The Danger in Distorted Education: Sri Lanka’s History Curriculum
Photo from Seven years since the conclusion of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, there is an opportunity to build bridges between divided communities. In this context, education is key to meaningful…
Muslim Personal Laws reforms: On or not?
Photograph courtesy Sister Hood Call for reform In announcing the decisions made by the Cabinet of Ministers last Wednesday, the Government spokesperson has stated, amongst others, that the Cabinet has decided to…
Looking beyond the Trump–Clinton duel: The nightmares of American exceptionalism
The conservative version of American exceptionalism has become a password of sorts for candidates who want to prove their credentials to a right-wing America. –Russ Feingold The run-up to the American Election…
Kajan and Sulakshan: Tragic symbols of ongoing police brutality
Featured image courtesy Tamil Guardian On Monday and Tuesday, IGP Pujith Jayasundera’s mobile number, given out to the public just months before, rang unanswered. The reason – the shooting of two youths,…
The President, prisons and a question of justice
AP Photo/Sanka Gayashan, via South China Morning Post President Maithripala Sirisena, in an exclusive interview with the today, noted the following. Question: In your statement you referred to the detention of officers…
Can art transform conflict?
Does art have a role in reconciliation? Does it help in healing trauma? Can the creative power of arts be used as a catalyst for action – especially among those who have…
Losing the Narrative
Photo credit NewsIn.Asia In the myth, hero-king becomes a tyrant when he turns his back on the source of his power. In the myth, the source of that power is divine, god/gods,…
Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe’s resignation: The Fallout
Last week, on October 12, President Maithripala Sirisena lashed out at independent commissions, in a speech that drew condemnation from many quarters. This week, the Director General of the Commission to Investigate…
The Bus Journey: A Bus Conductor, Two Drivers and an Old Woman.
It was 5 pm. The bus travelling from Matale to Kandy arrived at the bus stop. The last two buses, which I let pass, now seemed a better choice, for if there…
Monitoring the Ongoing Drought in Sri Lanka
Drought has followed the floods in mid-May in Sri Lanka, affecting 625,000 people directly along with agriculture, water supply, irrigation and nature. Here, we quantify this drought and show that it (a)…
Sri Lankan Airlines – No friend to wheelchair users
Following an injury, J was given medical advice to minimise the time he spent on his feet, as he was due to travel abroad. His doctor recommended he use airport wheelchair services, and…
