Sri Lanka’s Victims Demand and Deserve Credible Justice
Image courtesy IRIN “The regime has changed, but the system remains the same; how can we expect justice from them?,” asked a Tamil nun who survived the brutal conflict between the Sri…
Reconciliation
Catharsis: How Jaffna is rebuilding itself using the arts
Since 2009, Jaffna has become host to hordes of curious tourists, visiting to see what a city ravaged by war looks like. For the residents, there are many bitter memories. It is…
Singing our National Anthem in our National Languages | Part 2
Read Part 1 here. There have been diverse responses to the singing of our National Anthem in both our national languages; some sensible, some stupid; some patriotic, some racist. Among the questions…
Accountability and a Political Solution: A Response to Ram Manikkalingam
Photo courtesy Understanding the Age of Transitional Justice In a recent article, Ram Manikkalingam – a member of the Sri Lankan President’s Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) – argues that…
Singing of our National Anthem in the two National languages | Part 1
Image courtesy Narenthiran I read Prof. Carlo Fonseka’s article under the caption ‘Accolades for President and Prime Minister‘ in 10 Feb. with much interest and appreciation. Listening to the singing of the…
An Appeal to Democratic Forces
Photography courtesy Huffington Post The great electoral victory won by democratic forces on 8th January 2015 against the anti-democratic, corrupt, murderous, and authoritarian family rule is in jeopardy. The Rajapaksa family and…
The High Commissioner for Human Rights visit to Sri Lanka raises hopes for victims
Photo courtesy Reuters, via CFR This week, the UN’s top human rights official, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein – the High Commissioner for Human Rights – is visiting Sri Lanka. He will see…
Independence Not An Accident: Muslim Leaders Put ‘Country Before Self’
Featured image courtesy Reuters The essence of statesmanship is not a rigid adherence to the past, but a prudent and probing concern for the future. –Hubert H. Humphrey ‘A Small Island of…
What’s missing out there? People or Politics?
Featured image courtesy The Hindu R, Sampanthan, Leader of TNA and ITAK – www.seithy.com / 2015 December 23 “Thamil Makkal Peravai” (TMP) prompted this essay on Christmas Day. I checked up on…
Disappearances in Sri Lanka and the visit of the UN Working Group on Disappearances
Picture from ICMP In the 35 year history of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (“WGEID”), Sri Lanka ranks number two, shamefully, in the numbers of disappearance cases…
Enforced Disappearance: A Tamil Perspective
Picture courtesy RepublicSquare Members of the families of those forcibly disappeared, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank the organising committee for the invitation to deliver this speech on…
Sri Lankan Parliament and the UNHRC Resolution: Will Justice Prevail Over Politics?
Picture courtesy Foreign Policy – South Asia. “.” – Arthur Schopenhauer “.” ― Thomas Hardy On October 20, 2015, the Sri Lankan Parliament will debate the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) resolution on…
THE GENEVA RESOLUTION AND POLITICS: A NOTE OF CAUTION
Photo courtesy The recent Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka is a remarkable document. Crafted in the immediate aftermath of the devastating OISL Report on Sri Lanka whose central recommendation was…
University Academics Appeal to the Authorities Regarding the UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka
Photo via TO: H.E PRESIDENT MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA HON. RANIL WICKRAMASINGHE, PRIME MINISTER HON. MANGALA SAMARAWEERA, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HON R. SAMPANTHAN, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION PRINCE ZEID BIN RA’AD, UN…
Revisiting Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka: The Rhetoric, Realities & Opportunities
Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images, via The Dish 2015 witnessed two national elections in Sri Lanka- Presidential and Parliamentary, with a mandate given to President Maithripala Sirisena’s government to usher in much needed…
