Non-existing ethnic problem in Sri Lanka
In his article under the above title in the Island of Saturday 3rd December, my old friend P.S.Mahawatta pays me two inaccurate compliments. Firstly, he says, using the present tense, that I…
Constitutional Reform
Sri Lankan personal laws between justice and freedom – A value based perspective
No century in recorded history has experienced so many social transformations and such radical ones as the twentieth century (Peter, 2016). Over this period, without any exception every human culture has been…
‘Corridors of Power’ exhibition in Jaffna
Auditorium of the Jaffna Public Library 22 – 24 November 2016 Open 10am to 6pm Entrance free for all. What is a constitution? What place and relevance, if any, does it have…
Guided Tour: ‘Corridors of Power’ at the WINGS Festival of Arts
Led by the input of Asanga Welikala and in collaboration with Channa Daswatta, ‘Corridors of Power’ through architectural drawings and models, interrogates key moments in Sri Lanka’s constitutional evolution since 1972. The…
ACHIEVING DURABLE REFORM IN SRI LANKA
Image courtesy Tamil Canadian Time and again, countries that have experienced repression and armed conflict have an opportunity to transition to a better future. Yet, only a minority succeeds. The challenges may…
Can art transform conflict?
Does art have a role in reconciliation? Does it help in healing trauma? Can the creative power of arts be used as a catalyst for action – especially among those who have…
Losing the Narrative
Photo credit NewsIn.Asia In the myth, hero-king becomes a tyrant when he turns his back on the source of his power. In the myth, the source of that power is divine, god/gods,…
Strengthening RTI Law: Some Suggestions
This short piece is a reflection on the recently adopted Right to Information Act. Certain aspects of the Act give rise to questions regarding its enforcement. These questions arise primarily in relation…
What is happening? What can we do?
Featured image courtesy Time The overall picture that emerges from the January 09, 2015 revolution and the events that have already taken place and are taking place as a result of this…
Response to Izeth Hussain on Racism
Featured image courtesy Al Jazeera Until recently, I have seldom had occasion to disagree with Izeth Hussain. However, while there is much that I agree with in the contents of his article published…
Policy vs Politics: Global Sri Lankan Forum’s telling myopia
The Sri Lanka Foundation Institute was largely empty as the Global Sri Lankan Forum, (a group in favour of the unitary state system of governance) convened for a seminar on ‘The Geneva…
Tamil Nationalism and the Coming Constitution
Photo courtesy Militarily demolished in May 2009, Tamil nationalism’s struggle has been a daunting one in post-war Sri Lanka. With the death of one of the most admired leaders within the Tamil…
Interview: Prospects for Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka
An interview with Howard Varney a few weeks ago held in Colombo attempted to demystify transitional justice and map out the challenges around reconciliation in Sri Lanka. As noted on the website…
Faculty of Law Submits ‘Bill of Rights’ Proposal to PRC
Featured image courtesy Tamil Guardian Undergraduates of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo presented their proposals on Constitutional Reforms on Wednesday, 30 March 2016. Among the proposals was the draft Bill…
Some thoughts on current orthodoxies
Featured image courtesy SriLankaBrief The year 2009 is important for the post-colonial history of Sri Lanka, because in that year the most serious armed challenge to the territorial integrity of the country…
