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THe Government must respond positively to issues raised during Navi Pillay’s visit
The recently concluded visit to Sri Lanka of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay was in pursuance of two resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council in relation to serious human rights problems in the country. The visit enabled the Commissioner to see the country situation at first hand without having to rely […]
Read MoreInternal change is the best and maybe only hope
“The government’s strength as a political force is that it has within itself all shades of political opinion from within the ethnic majority Sinhalese community. It is dominated by leaders who hold to nationalist positions, but it also has the religious extremists, liberals and leftists within its ranks. The government has also been able to […]
Read MoreDivisive role of religion grows despite Buddhist teachings
The most likely point of new inter-community conflict at the present time is between those who espouse nationalist Buddhism and the Muslim community. Although not widely reported, the attacks against Muslim places of worship and Muslim owned businesses are continuing. In a six month period from January to June this year, at least 155 anti-Muslim […]
Read MoreGet the first principle of governance right first, don’t just blindly blame the opposition
Justifying blatant opportunism
The crossover of UNP Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera to the government is being seen as yet another example of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s political power and acumen that is proving difficult to resist. It is also seen as an example of political opportunism and venality. More than adding to the strength of an already over-powerful […]
Sri Lanka: Sufficient consensus to make PSC meaningful
The government’s determination to show progress in regard to a political solution and to improving its human rights image is evident in recent developments. During his recent visit, the Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon is reported to have urged government leaders to keep its promises to India. The Indian government’s position that
the government should […]
Transfer of military’s role in civil affairs to elected council can promote reconciliation in the North
Reluctant
The government is continuing to give indications of its reluctance to establish a provincial council in the Northern Province with the devolved powers as provided by the 13th Amendment. The main concern articulated by government spokespersons has been the danger
that a Tamil-led provincial council in the former war zone of the North might pose […]
Thirteenth Amendment changes: More at stake for Rajapaksa government than countering terrorism
The government’s ongoing bid to seek changes to the 13th Amendment prior to holding elections to the Northern Provincial Council has suffered a reversal with the refusal of some of the government’s coalition partners to go along with it. This is likely to be a temporary reversal. The ethnic
minority political parties that are part of […]
Election of Northern Provincial Council can benefit all provinces
There are many unresolved grievances that face the war-affected people of all communities after the end of the war, and which the centralized
system of government has so far failed to adequately address. These include the resettlement of persons who were displaced during the war, such as Muslims displaced over twenty years ago, who have still […]
The search for loved ones is the most primordial of human sentiments not a conspiracy against the government
In most of the country, there is still a considerable amount of freedom for political parties and civic organizations to work with the people, to create awareness amongst them and to mobilize them on issues as befits a functioning democracy.
Conspiracy against government
The government’s recent decision to question the director of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation […]
Massive land grab of private land by Sri Lanka’s military deals death blow to reconciliation hopes
The acquisition of about 7000 acres of land in the Jaffna peninsula has become a major issue that impacts upon the post-war reconciliation
process. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission recommended the release back to their owners of private lands taken over for military purposes during the war. This was also the position taken by President […]
Thursday, May 2, 12:27 am
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Opinion
Internal change is the best and maybe only hope
Divisive role of religion grows despite Buddhist teachings
Opinion
Get the first principle of governance right first, don’t just blindly blame the opposition
Opinion
Sri Lanka: Sufficient consensus to make PSC meaningful
Opinion
Transfer of military’s role in civil affairs to elected council can promote reconciliation in the North
Thirteenth Amendment changes: More at stake for Rajapaksa government than countering terrorism
Opinion
Election of Northern Provincial Council can benefit all provinces
The search for loved ones is the most primordial of human sentiments not a conspiracy against the government
Opinion
Massive land grab of private land by Sri Lanka’s military deals death blow to reconciliation hopes
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