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Groundviews

Identity

Year
Month
Colombo, Culture, Human Rights, Identity, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance

The Translatability of Minority Ethnic Identities in Sri Lanka

Walter Benjamin, the German philosopher, introduced the concept of translatability, framing it not as an exploration of identity but as the translator’s ability to capture the essence of a text. His question,…

Safiyah Fazal Safiyah Fazal on 01/24/202501/24/2025
Advocacy, Colombo, Culture, Gender, Human Rights, Identity, Politics and Governance

Searching for Pride: Learning to Unlearn

June is the #Pride month where we commemorate, celebrate and recognize Two-Spirit (North American specific term to recognize two-spirit Indigenous folks), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Asexual and additional sexual…

Vibusha Madanayake and Piumi Lakchani Vibusha Madanayake and Piumi Lakchani on 06/17/2024
Colombo, Culture, Identity, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Religion and faith

The Future of Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism

During his recent visit to the United States, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the National People’s Power, addressed an interesting question from a Sri Lankan resident. The person highlighted the significant…

Shashik Silva and Ammaarah Nilafdeen Shashik Silva and Ammaarah Nilafdeen on 11/07/2023
Colombo, Culture, Human Rights, Identity, Jaffna, Media and Communications, Peace and Conflict, Photos, Politics and Governance

Kanesh Thabendran: Remembering the Past and Uncovering the Truth

For most of his life, 35 year old artist Kanesh Thabendran has lived in a war zone where every day was a struggle for survival amid exploding bombs and falling artillery shells….

Groundviews Groundviews on 10/24/2023
Colombo, Human Rights, Identity, Longing and Belonging, Politics and Governance

Pride Month Gives a Voice to the LGBTQ+ Community

The act of resistance gave rise to Pride. However, repression continues to be a reality wherever Pride is held. Even in places where legal equality has been accomplished and visibility is celebrated,…

Ama Koralage Ama Koralage on 06/28/202311/07/2023
Arts and Theatre, Colombo, Culture, Human Rights, Identity, justice, Longing and Belonging, Memorialisation, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance

Remains of the Day: 9.5.22

On this day, one year ago, I was alone in my studio working intensely on some paintings  totally unaware of the chaos emerging and gathering momentum in my city, where government supporters…

Anoma Wijewardene Anoma Wijewardene on 05/09/202305/18/2023
Colombo, Human Rights, Identity, justice, Politics and Governance

Will Sri Lanka Decriminalize Same-Sex Relations?

In 2022 parliamentarian and lawyer Premanath C. Dolawatte presented to parliament a Private Member’s Bill to amend Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code of Sri Lanka with the aim of…

Kaushalya Sendanayaka Arachchi Kaushalya Sendanayaka Arachchi on 05/05/2023
Colombo, Culture, Music, Religion and faith

Disappearing Music Traditions of Muslims

In a brilliant and much needed documentary directed by Nadya Perera, one of the fast dying heritages of Sri Lankan Muslims, namely their musical traditions, has been brought to light. The Muslim…

Dr Ameer Ali Dr Ameer Ali on 04/20/202304/24/2023
Colombo, Culture, Gender, Human Rights, Identity, Poetry

Sister, Sister

  We lock pinkies and swear oaths stronger and more fearsome than a man could dream for blood is our birthright so our ties are awash in it drenched in a secret…

Sharon Stephen Sharon Stephen on 03/08/2023
Colombo, Culture, Gender, Human Rights, Identity, Poetry

Boys Will Be Boys

Boys will be boys, And that girl who was groped in the back of the bus, Will go back home, See phantom handprints on her clothes, And wince every time someone comes…

Haala Marikar Haala Marikar on 03/08/202303/08/2023
Colombo, Gender, Identity, Poetry

The Sri Lankan Kella

  I am the woman of my country The product of ‘culture’, of history of a nation The result of procreation The manufactured playground of patriarchy The battlefield of nationalism I am…

Lilanka Botejue Lilanka Botejue on 03/08/202303/08/2023
75 Years of Independence, Identity, Poetry

Independence Song, 2023

Are we free in 2023? To declare love and friendship without fear, without visits from police or blackmail from nosy neighbors? Are we free in 2023? To deny low wages or flagrant…

Indran Amirthanayagam Indran Amirthanayagam on 02/01/202302/01/2023
75 Years of Independence, Development, Farming & Agriculture, Human Rights, Identity, Politics and Governance

The Demands of the Adivasi Community at Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day

Despite the unprecedented socio-economic and political setbacks Sri Lanka is currently facing, the Government is making preparations to celebrate the country’s 75th Independence Day in grand style. Within this climate, however, there…

Thusitha Siriwardana Thusitha Siriwardana on 01/28/202302/01/2023
#GotaGoHome, Diaspora, Human Security, Identity, justice, Longing and Belonging, Peace and Conflict, Reconciliation

A Call for a Change in Culture

“They will never change” is a phrase that many Tamils overseas often hear from back home. A simple phrase articulated partly in sadness, partly in gloating. It’s difficult to condemn how various…

Aravinthan Ganeshan Aravinthan Ganeshan on 06/30/202208/08/2022
Identity, International, Politics and Governance

Abolishing the Tainted Monarchy: Make Elizabeth the Last?

It was the queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012 and I shuffled past the crowds lining Fore Street in Exeter securing a front row vantage point to watch the burgundy Rolls Royce Phantom…

Zaynab Zubair Zaynab Zubair on 06/04/202206/04/2022

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