Understanding Covid-19 Variants
Sri Lanka, similar to many other countries in the region, is facing a rapid surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. On May 9, Sri Lanka recorded 2,672 cases, the highest number…
Pandemic
Powerful and Connected? Go to the Head of the Queue
Photo courtesy of After much persuading from friends I finally went to get my Covid vaccine. The whole of last week I tried to book a time and place through e-channelling but…
Where is Kindness in Our COVID-19 Health Policy?
Towards end of March, about two months into the pandemic, a TV program discussed the challenges of the pandemic response with politicians. A disturbing theme that was too prominent to ignore was…
COVID-19, Ethical Trade and Women Apparel Workers
It is one year since Sri Lanka went into lockdown. At a recent press briefing by women members of Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters, a member of the Joint Apparel Association…
The Deception Continues
On February 24, after the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) when the burial issue dominated discussion of Sri Lanka’s respect for minority rights, the government…
A Brief Guide to COVID-19 Vaccines and Life After Vaccination
Sri Lanka, although facing challenges related to vaccination coordination, has started vaccinating the public. As misinformation can be a serious challenge to understanding the vaccine landscape during this crucial time, here is…
Loved Ones Lost: The Pain Behind Forced Cremations
Sri Lanka continues to maintain its policy of mandatory cremations for those who have died due to COVID-19, deeply distressing the Muslim community whose faith prohibits cremation. The science, the faith, the…
Bringing Them Home – The Need of the Hour For Migrant Workers
From Lithuania, Italy, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other many countries the plea is the same: bring us home. From cities and villages across Sri Lanka the plea is the same: bring…
Forcible Cremation: A Blatant Case of Racial Discrimination
For nine months Muslims in Sri Lanka have been begging the government to allow them to bury relatives who have died of COVID-19. Their plea has been supported by some non-Muslim civil…
Equality, Difference, Religion and Ethnicity in South Asia
There is a tension between “equality” and “difference” in modern South Asia. The tension defines South Asia when it comes to religious and ethnic issues. It is manifest at the individual, community…
Civil Society Calls on Government to Enable Burials of COVID-19 Dead
We the undersigned individuals and civil society organisations welcome the recent statements from eminent and authoritative individuals and organisations in the medical field in Sri Lanka approving the burial of COVID 19…
Dead Body Politics and Racism: A Prayer for 2021
Federation World Health Organization, Infection prevention and control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19, Interim guidance (September 4, 2020). Forced cremation of those who pass…
2020: The Highlights
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Misguided Policies Damage A Valued Public Health System
Sri Lanka hit the lowest point in their COVID-19 response when a 20-day-old Muslim infant was cremated on December 9, 2020 against the wishes of his parents and against their religious faith. Islamic faith…
The Paradox of Tolerance
Systematic discrimination and human rights violations against minority communities in Sri Lanka are not new in the country’s political and social realm. The most recent of such violations have been brought to…
