The promised report of a UN investigation into war crimes in Sri Lanka will achieve little unless accompanied by real introspection by both Tamil and Sinhala communities. by Ahilan Kadirgamar and Mahendran Thiruvarangan Courtesy: Open Democracy ( June 3, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in May 2009. For years, the lack of accountability for the grave human rights abuses committed during the last phase of the war has seemed for many actors to be the sole issue of concern. Powerful states, international human rights organizations,…
Read MoreDay: 5 June 2015
Addressing “blocked grief” in Jaffna
Six years after the end of the war the population in the North of Sri Lanka remains passive, ensnared in wartime mentality because they haven’t been able to express and deal with their sorrow and trauma. Professors from Jaffna University talk of a young generation incapable of envisioning a better future. While they demonstrated courage and compassion beyond their years during war, they are now disillusioned, unable to cope with the ‘normal’ life of a university student because of a post-traumatic growth in their personalities and functioning. The bombing, gunshots…
Read MoreMahinda Rajapaksa was lack of good governance, transparency, freedom of expression and freedom
By Niranjala Ariyawansha Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando says: “We must understand that development alone will not appease people. The reason for the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa was the lack of good governance, transparency, freedom of expression and freedom for organizing. People give prominence to freedom which was not here. Excerpts: ? What is the situation of reconciliation among the people of the Eastern Province, six years after the end of war A: We have to consider several factors when we speak of reconciliation. What is our perception?…
Read MoreMinority Representation Through The 20A
By Shermal Kelambi – The 20th amendment to the constitution seem to be hardly moving is at all. A major obstacle in its path is the objections of the minor parties in fear of being marginalized under a future system. The purpose of this article is to see to what extend their fears are true. The discussion will be held under a few sub topics: Sri Lankan demographics Present parliament composition Past four election results Fixing the minority issues Two ballot system Ideological minority parties Sri Lankan demographics Before talking…
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