Peace professionals and War professionals
By Rajan Philips There has been a spate of writings on the political economy of war, particularly relating to the war on terror that President Bush has imposed on the world as…
Advocacy
Conspiracy Theories
Regrettably, the continuing tragedy of violent conflict in Sri Lanka is further compounded by the increasing emergence of all manner of conspiracy theories. Because of their risqué sensationalism with scant regard for…
Federalism: Some debates never die
Today, in the wake of recent crossovers by the UNP reformists and the presentation of reports from APRC process, the federal debate has once again taken centre. For many years Federalism has…
The Sham of Independence Without Human Rights Protection
Two days before our independence tamasha, an event with deep significance and bearing for the independence, integrity and unity of this country took place. It is unfortunately a part of a series…
A circus has come to town
From – 31st January 2007 With the LTTE cleared from Sampur and Vaharai, the UNP depleted and the JVP marginalised, the cabinet swelled to record proportions, the Donor Forum concluded and the…
The Death of a Priest
I my column for Ravaya & Groundviews this week I explore the killing of a citizen, a priest, in Jaffna. The manner in which it which it was reported in the Sinhala…
The promise of Citizen Journalism: Article on Madrid11
Madrid11 features an article I wrote on Groundviews, where I explore the potential of citizen journalism to support & strengthen peacebuilding in Sri Lanka. Read the full article here.
Seeing mobile phones as a basic human right
News that mobile phone users in the North & East of Sri Lanka are once again cut off is a disturbing trend in the erosion of fundamental rights, including Article 19 of…
Insight into Governance from the Arrest that did not happen
The story that the editor of the Sunday Leader was to be arrested on account of that paper’s reportage on the proposed construction of a presidential bunker and the subsequent reportage that…
The Costs and Consequences of ‘Clearing’ the East
Last week this column ended with the statement that there was a lot to be learnt and unlearnt in 2007. The new year is now with us and with it the unfolding…
Amidst shackles – Notes of a citizen journalist
An article, in Sinhala, on the bombing of Mannar and the general decline of human rights in Sri Lanka. Read the full article here.
Sri Lanka – Images of a divided nation
An article, in Sinhala, based on the findings of Social Indicator’s Peace Confidence Index, first published in Mawbima on 7th January 2007. Read the full article here.
Review of “Ethnic Warfare in Sri Lanka and the UN Crisis†by William Clarance
Speaking in early December 2006 to an assorted group of representatives from local and international humanitarian agencies in Colombo, I began my speech with the most virulent expletives imaginable. I then enquired…
Life in an Open Prison
An email from Ammu Joseph, circulated through SAJA‘s email list, pointed to two articles that explore the situation in the North and East of Sri Lanka at present. *LIFE IN AN OPEN…
A Citizen’s Notes – Thoughts on Human Rights in Sri Lanka
Inspired in part by Sanjana’s speech in early December, I wrote a column for Ravaya on human rights in Sri Lanka, from the perspective of a citizen. This article is in Sinhala…