Double standards?
A post here points to a powerful new report on the dangers on humanitarian aid work in Sri Lanka and elsewhere. Reports in Groundviews, both from Citizen Journalists as well as news…
Human Security
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…
Abandoned War Displaced People From Border Villages
The people who are displaced from border villages in the east face many problems. However other communities get assistances through some NGO’s or CBO’s (community base organization) than the Singhalese communities. Specially…
Jaffna People Back To Barter Business
Jaffna people back to age-old barter business. After the land route closed all the things distributed through the MPCS including milk powder. Last week one packet of milk powder was issued to…
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…
Human displacement
Two posts on DBS Jeyraj’s blog highlight aspects of the humanitarian crisis in the North and the East already flagged here. Civilians in Vaakarai face death and starvation Displaced Tamils face difficulties…
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.
Daily Security Report from UN – The plight of the North & East
Got this in my email today – paints a bleak picture of the North and East of Sri Lanka. Don’t know to whom this situation update goes to, but I’m sure there…
Bus bombs
The south is in turmoil after bombs in buses. Allegedly the work of the LTTE, it’s bringing home, once again, the terror & anxiety that many of us thought we had left…
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…
Human Shields In The Battle Of Sri Lanka
The SLMM in a statement on Dec 12 said they are concerned over the alarming situation in Vakarai. They pointed to the LTTE failing to protect civilians by restricting their movement, and…
Conflict Situation in Trinco
From my visit to Kantale I can say that Sinhalese people from Seru Nuwara Division are facing human security problems due to artillery and motor strikes from LTTE-controlled Vaharai area. Also over…
Situation in Vakarai
About 25,000 refugees in the Vakarai region of Batticaloa need assistance urgently in terms of food, medicines, shelter, water and sanitation. They have been facing shortages for over a month, and I…