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A Tragedy of Errors – Heading for a Food Crisis
A food shortage brewing for several weeks, coupled with a stagnant economy and indecision, has pushed Sri Lanka to the brink of a crippling crisis. It is ironic that Sri Lanka, which…
Healing Trauma Through Art: A Personal Journey
When Ajantha Ranaweera was ten years old, his brother who was in the army went missing in action. Several years later, he was declared dead. There were no remains. On that day in…
Existing Laws Adequate to Counter High Food Prices and Shortages
The introduction of the Emergency (Provision of Essential Food) Regulation No. 1 of 2021 by the extraordinary gazette No.2243/3 by the President under Section 5 of the Public Security Ordinance was subject…
Proposed Amendment to Criminal Code is a Grave Setback for Human Rights
The proposed Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979 will open up a Pandora’s box of serious abuses. In essence what…
Saving GSP+ Requires Genuine Progress on Human Rights
The Sri Lankan government has pledged to scale back its violations of the human rights in order to protect a valuable trade deal with the European Union (EU). Although ministers continue to…
Protecting, Educating and Empowering the Girl Child
While the lives of young girls in most countries around the world have certainly improved over the past few decades, there are still critical concerns that are unique to girls under the…
Creating National (In)security: Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Death Penalty
Today is the World Day Against the Death Penalty Today, when globally the call for the abolition of the death penalty is renewed and its inhumane and cruel nature is highlighted, we…
Covid-19 and the Serious Toll on Mental Health
Fear, isolation, depression, anxiety, financial worries and domestic tension due to the Covid-19 pandemic are some of the factors taking a serious toll on mental health in countries around the world. Researchers…
The Sri Lanka COVID-19 Memorial
It proves a firm reminder of the magnitude of loss and it is the realisation behind the creation of a digital space of memorialisation and remembrance for those Sri Lanka has lost…
Democracy Under the Rule of No Law
Once again, the country is in a state of emergency. This time, the President has proclaimed emergency ostensibly to ensure the public security and well-being and maintenance of supplies and services essential…
A Monk and a Poet
Rights Watch Is it the bruised that should be accused? For painting the target on their forehead? For writing lyrics that make your blood sing, Then arrest the mothers, whose lamenting For…
Coping with Dementia
The world is ageing fast. Today there are 703 million people aged 65 or older; by 2050 the number will rise to 1.5 billion. According to population estimates and projections from UN…
The Joyful Activist: The Lasting Legacy of Kamla Bhasin
We mourn the loss of Kamla Bhasin, feminist activist, writer, poet, mentor and friend who left us on September 25. Kamla has been a core part of influencing and collaborating with feminist…
The Great Divide
There are photographs being shared on social media of charitable visits that are being made to elders’ homes. Some of the visitors are not wearing masks, an omission constituting criminal negligence during…
