Photo courtesy of akd
In 2024 Sri Lanka elected its first leftist head of state and government, giving rise to hope that the system change desired by its citizens would become a reality in the future. The new leaders promised to wipe out corruption and put the bankrupt country onto a stable path. Groundviews carried extensive analysis in the run up to the elections and afterwards and conducted two discussion forums on the presidential and parliamentary elections with a focus on the abolition of the executive presidency and the voting patterns in the north and east.
Groundviews also concentrated on a campaign to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Online Safety Act, another repressive law, was passed despite much opposition from civil society, which is advocating for its repeal.
In the north and east, human rights defenders faced harassment and persecution while state agencies continued to take over Hindu sites and Tamil land and designating them as Sinhala Buddhist sacred sites.
Human rights was another pressing issue with organisations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights watch and the International Truth and Justice Project publishing reports condemning Sri Lanka’s poor record in bringing perpetrators of gross human rights violations to justice and providing relief to families of victims.
The website and its social media platforms highlighted the ongoing genocide in Gaza and what Sri Lanka should be doing to support the Palestinian cause.
Among the other issues covered were child abuse, violence against women, environmental degradation, the human elephant conflict, concerns of the Malaiyaha Tamil community, lack of women in politics, rights of the LGBTIQ community, changing the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, escalating poverty and increasing child malnutrition.
Groundviews marked 15 years since the end of the civil war with a visit to the north and 20 years since the tsunami of 2004.
Here are some of the relevant articles:
Steering Sri Lanka Away from Kakistocracy
An interview by Groundviews with Dr Neil Devotta on the country’s future prospects
https://groundviews.org/2024/12/30/steering-sri-lanka-away-from-kakistocracy/
NPP and Women’s Parliamentary Representation
An analysis on the lack of women parliamentarians by Dr. Vidyamali Samarasinghe
https://groundviews.org/2024/11/11/npp-and-womens-parliamentary-representation/
Poverty and Malnutrition in Sri Lanka: An Overview
An examination of the plight of disadvantaged citizens coping with the economic crisis by Professor Wasantha Athukorala
https://groundviews.org/2024/10/17/poverty-and-malnutrition-in-sri-lanka-an-overview/
Democratic World to Sri Lanka: Thanks for Your Election
In praise of Sri Lanka’s peaceful and fair elections by Dr. Mick Moore
https://groundviews.org/2024/09/23/democratic-world-to-sri-lanka-thanks-for-your-election/
Criminalizing Sexual Harassment: Are We Doing Enough?
A look at what is lacking in the fight against sexual violence by Dr. Udari Abeyasinghe and Dr. Kalana Senaratne
https://groundviews.org/2024/08/20/criminalizing-sexual-harassment-are-we-doing-enough/
Strong Laws, Weak Enforcement: Torture Persists Despite Legal Protections
Why torture continues to be a problem despite its illegality By Dulan Dasanayaka
The Bitter Legacy of a Blood Stained Civil War
Minoli de Soysa visits Mullavaikkal on the 15th anniversary of the end of the civil war
https://groundviews.org/2024/05/19/the-bitter-legacy-of-a-blood-stained-civil-war/
Gaza: The Cruelty and Pain of Numbers
Lakshman Gunasekara examines the rising body count in Gaza and Israel’s war crimes
https://groundviews.org/2024/04/24/gaza-the-cruelty-and-pain-of-numbers/
Mannar Island: A Paradise At the Crossroads
Big business threatens an idyllic part of the country in the name of development by Roy Fernando
https://groundviews.org/2024/03/19/mannar-island-a-paradise-at-the-crossroads/
The Online Safety Bill: A Trojan Horse
The Centre for Policy Alternatives points out the dangers of the Online Safety Bill
https://groundviews.org/2024/01/21/the-online-safety-bill-a-trojan-horse/
Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act: Reform is Not Repeal
Ermiza Tegal explains why the MMDA is dangerous for Muslim women
https://groundviews.org/2024/12/13/muslim-marriage-and-divorce-act-reform-is-not-repeal/