10 Years After the War: Violence in a Time of Peace
Although the war ended a decade ago, the ethno-political and social fractures from conflict endure. On no other day are they more apparent than on May 18. Often, what we see, read…
Conflict
Where are we now? Reflections on the International Human Rights Day 2019
The focus of 2019’s International Human Rights Day is on a celebration of “the courage, clarity, and principle of women, men, and young people who are rising up peacefully to create greater…
Sri Lanka and the 2019 Global Terrorism Index
Photo courtesy Towards Data Science This month Institute of Economics and Peace released the 2019 Global Terrorism Index (GTI). The report measures the direct and indirect impact of terrorism in terms of lives lost, injuries,…
Incorporating International Crimes into Sri Lankan Law: The Need for Legislative Reform
Featured image courtesy Al Jazeera In a paper published recently, Eleanor Vermunt and I argued that international crimes must be incorporated into Sri Lankan law with retroactive effect in order to enable…
Winning For Whom?
“Catch it!” Two words that snap me into action, The crowd cheering, my team turns and looks at me. The adrenaline surges and I am out of my daydream. Catch it, and…
Lingering Memories of Conflict in Postwar Jaffna
Recently, featured those who are trying to reshape Jaffna, post-war, using the arts. While there are spaces opening up for expression, the question remains: how far have the people of Jaffna progressed…
Standing up to the Age of Emotions
Featured image of Paris attack memorial courtesy Norway July 23, 2011 A 32-year-old Norwegian suspect has been arrested after at least 87 people were killed in two attacks in Norway courtesy Colombo,…
WOMEN IN CONFLICT – An interview with American filmmaker based in Sri Lanka, Lisa Kois
[Editors note: This interview was conducted in April 2006] Â Lisa Kois is a brave filmmaker, working right at the heart of today’s dangerous and on going civil conflict in Sri Lanka.…
Impact of the Batticaloa Conflict and the situation of Muslims
The Kattankudi Jamiyyathul Ulama had requested all the newly elected Muslim members of the Eastern Provincial Council to boycott its inaugural session to highlight the demand of strengthening security of the Muslim…
War IDPs
The IDPs from Trincomalee District are scattered, in the Ampara District. There are few from the Mannar District too. Some are willing to return to their original places, some do not. These…
Sri Lankan journalists: An extinct and unprotected species
By Satheesan Kumaaran  While the freedom of the press is a precious ingredient of a vibrant democracy, in most autocracies claiming to be democracies, journalists are casualties of the various conflicts…
119, Buddhism and being Sinhalese
Take it from me, being a responsible citizen in this country sucks, big time. Take last Saturday for example. There I was, driving along with my parents when I saw this lorry…
Jaffna: Retrospect and Prospect
Most of what I reveal below has been lying concealed in my notes and diaries deposited in the Government Achieves. I have decided to focus on them out of my belief that…
TO THE TAMILS IN THE NORTH: WHY DIDN’T YOU VOTE?!
By Under Dog  Amidst the bombs, the war, the white vans, and the checkpoints, I look back with fond memories of the ceasefire. It brought four glorious years of peace and…
What is the solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka?
Any satisfactory answer to this question must examine, and consider the root causes for this problem; however, the solution must be sensitive to the numerous complexities brought about by the conflict itself.…
