Blog Archives

CPA on new laws seeking action against publications that ‘defame the original teachings and traditions of the major religions’

President Rajapakse in Parliament on Thursday August 25, 2011 read out proposals to end Emergency Regulations

21 August 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned by reports that the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs is to introduce new laws seeking action against
publications that ‘defame the original teachings and traditions of the major religions’. These reports state that as a first step, a draft […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on August 22, 2013 at 1:04 am

CPA prepares resources to promote awareness on LLRC

Chairman LLRC Mr. CR De Silva handing over the Report to President Rajapakse

Resources on and trainers for promoting awareness on LLRC

23 November 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Committee presented their much awaited report on Dec 16 2011. Following a war which lasted almost 30
years, and resulted in death, destruction and devastation, this report is the result, after 18 months, of a presidential commission of inquiry […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on November 24, 2012 at 3:40 am

Impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake

Chief Justice Bandaranayake (L) President Rajapakse and the Chief Justice's husband

PRESS RELEASE: 13 November 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka:The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) expresses grave concern over the initiation of impeachment proceedings
against Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake. A number of reports in the press reveal that several charges against her have now been placed before Parliament in the form of a Resolution presented to the […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on November 14, 2012 at 8:36 am

Serious concerns over the ‘Divineguma Bill’

Basil Rajapaksa: The president's brother went to India for negotiations

17th August 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is concerned about the tabling of the “Divineguma Bill” in Parliament which if enacted will have serious implications for democracy, devolution and good governance in Sri Lanka. CPA and its Executive Director filed a Petition today in the Supreme Court (SC SD 3/2012) […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on August 17, 2012 at 12:55 pm

Language rights in Sri Lanka: Display of bus route boards in all three languages

20 March 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka: That signboards are in Tamil on most buses plying in the North and East, and in Sinhala on those outside of these two provinces, was the basis of four submissions to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka made by Lionel Guruge on behalf of the Centre for Policy […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on March 20, 2012 at 10:28 am

Dispelling misinformation and myths regarding the UNHRC resolution and its impact on Sri Lanka

Supporters of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa hold up images of him during a protest against the United Nations, in Colombo February 27, 2012.

This document provides basic information on the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC), the proposed resolution on Sri Lanka at the present 19th Session of the UNHRC and its implications. This document aims to clarify some of the basic facts and
developments and dispel any misinformation and myths regarding the resolution and its impact on Sri Lanka and […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on March 16, 2012 at 8:26 pm

The Sri Lankan Case: Rhetoric, reality and next steps

Head of the LLRC hands over the final report ot President Rajapakse at his official residence Temple Trees on November 20th 2011

The last few weeks have witnessed increased activity by the Government of Sri Lanka inannouncing various measures recently taken and to be taken to strengthen
human rights,peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka including the implementation of some interim andfinal recommendations of its own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission(LLRC) issued in September 2010 and November 2011, respectively. […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on March 15, 2012 at 7:12 am

LLRC Report: CPA finds the conclusion about the intentions of the armed forces disappointing

The LLRC Report was handed over to President Rajapakse on November 20, 2011

4 January 2011, Colombo, Sri Lanka:The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) welcomes the release of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Report, its analysis of the root cause of the conflict, the cataloguing of the atrocities of the LTTE,
recommendations in respect of governance – especially the de-politicization of existing institutions, the introduction of Right […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on January 4, 2012 at 11:15 am

Freedom of Expression on the Internet in Sri Lanka

22nd November 2011, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives is pleased to release a new report examining the freedom of expression on the Internet in Sri Lanka. Read it online here or download it as a PDF here (1Mb).
Since 2007, the freedom of expression on the Internet has faced considerable restrictions on account […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on November 22, 2011 at 5:32 am

Freedom isn’t free: Jaffna residents still being monitored

Police are circulating the attached form in Jaffna with instructions to fill and hand over to the Grama Sevaka by tomorrow October 18,2011. The image of the form attached is the one that was delivered at a home in Nallur. This was usually done under the under Emergency Regulations. However the government disingenuously allowed the […]

By Centre for Policy Alternatives | Published on October 18, 2011 at 12:17 am