MMDA: Personal Narratives – 6
This is the sixth in a series of videos conducted by sister publication Maatram, highlighting the difficulties faced by women under the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). Article 16 of the constitution states that…
Sri Lanka
Fighting Unfair Expectations: Senel Wanniarachchi
The discussion on gender equality is often condensed (or dismissed) as ‘women’s issues.’ However gender inequality can affect men as well, and redressing this balance is something men should advocate for, too,…
Overqualified: Mahishaa Balraj
Mahishaa Balraj faced real opposition when pushing for gender equality at her college in Chennai. In response to her campaigning, Mahishaa was the target of vicious cyber attacks that forced her to…
On Androgyny: Vicky Shahjahan
Vicky Shahjahan seems to naturally command attention. The tall 24-year-old doesn’t seem to notice this, chatting about art while walking through . Yet suddenly Vicky stops and points to a curious lady…
In the Driver’s Seat: Lakshi Sajintha Hewa Halpage
Lakshi Sajintha Hewa Halpage never thought she would become a bus driver. It remains an unusual career choice, given that it is a predominantly male-dominated profession in Sri Lanka. Lakshi was not…
UPDATED: Road to OMP Timeline
The 34th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) commenced on February 27 in Geneva. It was widely reported that Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera would most likely push for a…
Lost in Translation: Shortfalls in the implementation of Sri Lanka’s official languages policy
The Official Language Act of 1956 replaced English as the official language of then-Ceylon with Sinhala, failing to give recognition to the Tamil language. It was only three decades later, in the…
Forecast for 2017: Luwie Ganeshathasan
This is the ninth in a series of video interviews forecasting what 2017 will have in store across different sectors. Researcher from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), Luwie Ganeshathasan speaks about expected…
Forecast for 2017: Gomin Dayasri
This is the eighth in a series of video interviews forecasting what 2017 will have in store across different sectors. Attorney-at-law, Gomin Dayasri speaks about developments in the legal sector over the…
“His name is Kamaleswaran”
Justice Denied to Survivors of the Kumarapuram Massacre Featured image courtesy Shehan Peruma “Shoot me but, please don’t kill my children,” pleaded Kanthappoody Kamaladevi with her arms outstretched over her head, just…
Statement by women’s rights organisations, activists on NHRAP
We, a collective of Sri Lankan individuals and organisations working for the advancement of the human rights of women, are unanimous in our concern about the disturbing news that certain provisions in…
On Keppapulavu
February 9 marks the tenth day of protests in Keppapulavu, a village in Mullaitivu, where residents are demanding the return of their land. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is meeting with representatives…
Forecast for 2017: Dr Harinda Vidanage
This is the seventh in a series of video interviews forecasting what 2017 will have in store across different sectors. Director of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, Dr Harinda Vidanage speaks…
Forecast for 2017: Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
This is the sixth in a series of video interviews forecasting what 2017 will have in store across different sectors. Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka, Asanga Abeyagoonasekera…
On SAITM and the “medical mafia”
There has been sustained protest and trade union action by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), the Medical Faculty Students’ Union, and Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) against the judgment of the Court…
