Review of ‘Right of Way: A journey of resettlement’
I was delighted when asked to review . At the time of review, the publication was not in the public domain, and given what I had seen of Sharni’s previous work, I…
Human Security
Violence Against Women: This is my story
Two months ago I sat for my first year final exams at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Last month’s edition of the showcased 3 pages of clothes from designer K.T Brown…
Killer Representative
I am assembling the scene, a local hood and his gang come to a Christmas Eve gathering at a beach hotel, want to dance with foreign women, see a bloke from town…
42 Political Activists and HRDs Detained and Prevented from Participating in Peaceful Protest in Jaffna Town on Human Rights Day
On December 10th 2011, a group of 42 HRDs and political activists from the South of Sri Lanka were detained by police in the Northern town of Jaffna and prevented from attending…
Sri Lankan Women Human Rights Defenders: Linking Past and Present Challenges
As another year begins to draw to a close on post-war Sri Lanka, we can take stock of which changes, or the lack of change, we see around us. The full…
Post-war situation in Northern Sri Lanka & Prospects for Reconciliation
Changes since the end of the war: 30 months after the end of war, more people travel between the once off limits North[i] and the South and many of the travel restrictions…
What You Didn’t Know About The Vanni And Were Too Afraid To Ask
Prologue This is the continuing story of Gajaman Nona, an accomplished Sinhala poet, who was born in 1758. Emerging from a time capsule, GN finds herself in year 2011. The lady, who…
Destroying monuments for those killed & disappeared: The Catholic Church and the Sri Lankan Government
On the evening of 26th October 2011, Fr. Srilal Manoj Perera (appointed by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith to be in charge of land issues for Archdiocese of Colombo), Fr. Prasad Perera, Parish Priest…
Does the present regime encourage lawlessness & promote political thuggery?
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all…
Bully Boys and Bully Girls
A few evenings ago, parents were invited to our son’s school which goes up to Grade 8 for a presentation on Bullying. Dr. Tina Daniel, Asst Professor of Psychology at Carleton University…
Employing thugs as Presidential advisors
Sri Lankan hospital staff carry an injured person following a shootout on the outskirts of Colombo on Saturday – AP, via Deccan Chronicle An advisor to the President is dead and a…
Resource or Burden? A different perspective on the elderly in Sri Lanka
Image courtesy World Bank The elderly, usually grouped into those over 60 years, are often looked at as a vulnerable or dependent group in society, sometimes even as a burden. How reasonable…
Grease Devils and Police and Army attacks on civilians in Mannar and Vavuniya
Police attacks on civilians in Komarasankulam (Vavuniya district) 11 men were arrested by the Vavuniya Police in Komarasankulam at 10.30 pm on 20th August 2011. The men were severely beaten…
A Kunanayakam by any other name?
Mercenaries with misplaced consciences appear to be leading Sri Lanka’s latest band of apologists. Seldom does a hired hand leave such a damning trail as does Tamara Kunanayakam, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri…
Are there really gay Sri Lankans?
As I write this, friends and people I have worked with, are living in fear. In truth, since Saturday before last (10th September) when Rivira published their exposé on condoms and lubricating…
