Meeting a VIP London, Summer, 2008
He asked me how it was that I could be Sinhalese was it 50%? if my mother was Sinhalese and in that case whether I was 50% burgher or whether I had…
Identity
Jumma: The last bastion of the boys
The other day I was chatting to my dad and told him that sometime in the future I would like to give a Jumma sermon. He shook his head sadly and told…
Aroused by Akon’s Sexy Bitch: the Rise of Sinhala-Buddhist Fundamentalism?
Could it be that the sight of the Buddha statue was a complete turn-off to those who were utterly aroused by the dancing girls, the ‘sexy chicks’, seen in the music video…
Politics of Sinhala Nationalism: Underpinning of the UPFA Victory and Undermining of the Sri Lankan Nationhood
“Politically speaking, tribal nationalism always insists that its own people is surrounded by a world of enemies, one against all, that a fundamental difference exists between this people and all others. It…
Saying what I want, when I want…
Five years have gone by since my entrance to the western hemisphere. Earlier inroads were always temporary; this time around it was reason to obtain citizenship. Which is done and dusted, the…
Ramblings of an outsider in Jaffna – 1
I’ve moved to Jaffna on work. Everyone I know seems to think I’ve done something great and inspiring, to have moved here to help people. Firstly, I don’t think I’m better than…
The Muslim question and resettlement of Muslim IDPs in post-war Sri Lanka: Two comprehensive interviews
The question of Muslim identity, displacement and forcible evictions during war and their enduring socio-political impact in post-war Sri Lanka is often underplayed in the media and mainstream politics. Muslim IDPs in…
The TNA manifesto and Tamil self-determination in Sri Lanka
Here we go again, or should I say here they come again, or is it here they go again? In an opening scene in the movie 300, based on Frank Miller’s freely…
Post-war Sri Lanka: A conversation with Shanthi Sachithananthan
Shanthi Sachithananthan, the Chairperson of Viluthu has been featured on during the war. This interview, conducted late 2009 after war’s end, considers significant developments over the course of the year including the…
THE DEEPEST DIVISION IN SRI LANKA
I have always argued that the deepest division in Sri Lanka is not the so-called ethnic divide but the split between supporters of democracy and supporters of totalitarianism, and the presidential elections…
Living Secular in the ‘Sinhala Buddhist Republic’ of Sri Lanka
Two years ago, in a moment of panic, I rushed my young daughter to Colombo’s only children’s hospital. To be honest, I don’t normally turn to our overcrowded government hospitals for healthcare.…
Interview with Ameena Hussein
Ameena Hussein is one of Sri Lanka’s best known English authors. She is also one half of the Perera Hussein Publishing House, that since 2003 has published some of the best new…
VALEDICTORY FOR A SEASON
The Sri Lankan crisis continues, sourced in and stemming from two major flaws/factors: (i) There is no comprehension that “justice must not only be done, but be seen to be done” and…
Sri Lanka: A country without citizens
Note from author: For someone who is not in the least interested in politics – and is more often than not bored by it – my reaction to the 2010 Presidential Elections…
Yes, I am Tamil!
When Weerasena (1)Â was interdicted And the sun was on fire Above the textile factory Shouting slogans Screaming hoarsely Brother Nadesan(2) At the flaming pickets I was a Tamil When Weere(3)Â got the job…
