The Origin of Others
Jacques Lacan (1901-1981) wrote of the mirror-stage in the development of a human being when, unlike with animals, it realises that the image seen in the mirror is she, herself. The German…
Identity
The Beast Rides Again
Photo courtesy Asian Mirror Even as I write these words, Kandy is burning. Muslims, their homes and their properties are being targeted in the name of Buddhism, within shouting distance of the…
A Welcoming Nation?
The following is a list of things I’m often asked or told, revealing of Sri Lankan perceptions about the Burgher community. Are you Sri Lankan? Can you speak in Sinhalese? ‘You’re a…
70 Years of Independence | Cassandra Faye Van-Heer
What does it mean to be Sri Lankan? 70 years after independence, our identity is defined mostly along majoritarian lines, which can be traced back to the divisions created under British rule.…
Vijay Nagaraj: Contributions to public discourse in many guises
Vijay Nagaraj, who passed away in a tragic car accident in August, was someone I interacted with for around six years. We didn’t meet regularly, yet when we did, we carried on…
From Tamil Nadu to Badulla: A Century in the Tea Estates of Sri Lanka
The Spring Valley region of Badulla, nestled at the foothills of the Namunukula range, is one of the coldest areas of the Uva province. The tea factory of the same name has…
The Aftermath: Aluthgama Three Years On
The words of a Muslim man I met on my visit to Aluthgama, two weeks after the violence broke out in 2014 rang hollow as I returned to Aluthgama a few weeks…
Bias in the Dias affair: A reflection
The initial shock at the response of a high ranking minister to comments made by a citizen on a recent talk show, soon shifted to the realisation of its seriousness. During the…
Commemorating the anti-Muslim violence of June 2014: An urgent call for accountability and reconciliation
The 15th of June 2017 marks the 3rd anniversary of the orchestrated anti-Muslim violence in Dharga Town, Aluthgama and several other areas in the south. After a steady buildup of hate sentiment…
Colombo Pride: The History
On June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich, New York, a group of queer patrons decided to fight back during a police raid. The Stonewall riots were a reaction to…
Islamic principles of Justice and Human rights necessitate changes to the MMDA
AFP PHOTO / ISHARA S.KODIKARA, via Asia Times Reform of Muslim family law across the globe has taken onboard the need to establish women’s rightful position within the Islamic framework. The message…
Ending poverty by judicial decree: Constitutionalised welfare rights are a utopian nightmare
There is a movement around the world that is clamouring for the recognition of an extensive catalogue of positive social, economic and cultural rights as constitutionally protected and judicially enforceable entitlements. The…
Socio-economic rights in a Constitution: Should we trust courts over democracy?
Image courtesy Al Jazeera Prof Pratap Bhanu Mehta, an eminent Indian Political scientist shared his insights into incorporating socio-economic rights in the new constitution in Sri Lanka recently. Speaking at a public…
The Age of Reason, the Age of Marriage
In Sri Lanka, the age of marriage for Muslims girls is 12 years old. We are currently having a discussion on raising it to 18 to be on par with the rest…
Muslim Law: The need for reform
Photography courtesy Sister-Hood The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) is opposed to making any changes to the existing Muslim family law. Mufti Rizvi, who is a member of the Saleem Marsoof Committee…
