Transitional justice: Rehabilitation in review

Post–war rehabilitation of ex-combatants is a relatively new discipline in the field of international transitional justice. What is even newer is the increasing recognition of the inextricable link between successful rehabilitation programmes

THOUGHTS OF CBK

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga calls it “the first serious political interview I have given in six and a half years” referring to the interview she gave Sanjana Hattotuwa, editor of the website Groundviews.

Southwest Asia’s dilemma

The geostrategic vulnerability of South Asia is far from being defined. With the mess in Afghanistan yet to be sorted out, peace and development are largely in a state of limbo.

Editorial - The need for liberation from selfishness

It was Henry David Thoreau, who said, “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavour.”

Revisiting the realities

No debate or discourse in contemporary Sri Lanka or on Sri Lanka will be complete without a reference to India. Depending on the issue, like the ‘national problem’, strategic security or economy, ‘factors’ such as Tamil Nadu, China

The writing on the campus wall

A nation-wide strike by university teachers since the beginning of this month reflects new tensions in post-war Sri Lanka As with most other societies ravaged by civil war, Sri Lanka’s public institutions have all suffered.

The social conundrum

The tragedy of politics in Pakistan is that the same people, despite their dismal performance, get elected again and again. This is especially true in the  rural areas of the country. And since this is where the majority of the population live,

Editorial - Don’t paw the Olympians

The fact that the Tigers putting their paws into any international event with a Sri Lankan participation, is nothing new. Despite tight security measures, the pro-LTTE sects of the Diaspora always find ways and means to make their presence felt to the rest

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDO –LANKA ACCORD

Twenty –five years have passed since the signing of the Indo – Lanka accord by former Indian Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and ex –Sri Lankan president Junius Richard Jayewardene on July 29th 1987. It was hailed as a great breakthrough when it was signed. Much was expected of it then.

Tamils Must Live Without Caste And Class

Anyone keen to know and understand the dynamics of Sri Lanka’s conflict will need to also realize that the cries of discrimination by the Sinhalese was an orchestrated plan to keep hidden from the world the fact that Tamils were and wanted to continue to remain divided by caste

Politics of heritage

Yet again, communal politics has insidiously turned a potentially significant archaeological site into a theatre of violence and vandalism. A complacent government, oblivious to the vulnerability of historical remains in religious zones, failed to prevent it from happening.

Editorial - Elections more a way of thinking than of voting

The Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayake Thera, in a prophetic message on Wednesday called on right-thinking people to come forward and speak out to restore democracy, social justice and the rule of law in Sri Lanka.

War escalates in Syria, but who’s afraid of peace?

The West’s moves aimed at regime change in Syria are on a  fast track. But regime change won’t come about as easily as the West thinks. Syria is certainly not going...

WHEN BRITAIN WELCOMES THE WORLD

At 9pm tonight (UK time), a newly cast bell that is larger than Big Ben will ring out from London’s Olympic Stadium and the eyes of one billion people across the globe will be...

Transition in Egypt

There is no dearth of alternatives when it comes to forming a government in Egypt. The nomination of   as the new Prime Minister must have surprised many, but it has gone...

Editorial - The people’s right to know

With staggered power cuts being imposed in different areas and the country surviving on billions of dollars in debts, we need to stress again the urgent need for a Right to Information Bill...

Expeditious disposal of cases – key to reducing crime

Newly appointed Attorney-General (AG) Palitha Fernando, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, outlines his vision for the Department and opines that expeditious disposal of cases is the key to reducing the country’s crime rate.

Abuse of the Act to Prevent Domestic Violence

The Act to Prevent Domestic Violence (PVDA) covering physical and psychological abuse was legislated in 2005 and is seen as helpful tool to protect abused women, men and children. Children who suffer enormously due to domestic violence in the hands of overbearing or violent parents and men who often face abusive women at home have in large measure not benefited yet from the PVDA. 38 and 55 cases have been reported in 2010 and 2011 respectively of

A for Accountability - Editorial

Every crime has a perpetrator. Likewise, every wrong doing has a culprit. And then there are victims, who, in the current Sri Lankan context, are rendered absolutely helpless by the lack of transparency and accountability of the government high heads.

HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IN SRI LANKA -THE FORGOTTEN HALF OF THE STORY

Much ink has been spilt over the years on the subject of human rights in Sri Lanka. The opinions, observations and indeed ultimatums have emanated from official, unofficial, international and domestic quarters.

From nation-state to just state

There are a number of reasons why the educated and talented youth of this country desire to leave Sri Lanka.  I do not wish to pass judgment on those who want to migrate but to explore reasons why they want to do so at various levels; state, society, family and personal.

The crisis in Sudan

Diplomacy is in wanting when it comes to the crisis in Sudan. Reports of clashes between the two flanks of Sudan are quite unfortunate.

Editorial - The agony of Z- scores

By the looks of it, the initial blunder made by the Examinations Department officials has invited many more blunders in its lousy run to rectify the errors. The newly revised Z-scores show a drastic drop of district and island ranks of the students who sat the examination in 2011 under the old syllabus.

Mannar mayhem: The need to solve underlying problems

On 3 May 2012, long before the Mannar mayhem, the Sri Lanka Police acknowledged a growing trend – that of people taking the law into their own hands. In a media communiqué, Police Headquarters stated that certain groups

DANGEROUS DOGMA: TAMIL SELF-DETERMINATION

If the notion of Tamil self-determination should be entertained anywhere it is by the Indian state and Constitution because of the existence of Tamil Nadu with 70-80 million Tamils who constitute a collective and a far older presence there than

Victory for Pranab

THE victory of veteran Congressman and former Indian finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, with a comfortable margin, in presidential polls – the results for which were announced on Sunday

Editorial - Save children: save our pride

There is inescapable public outcry against violence against women and children that demands an immediate discontinuation of the disturbing trend. There are women’s rights activists demanding justice for the helpless victims

Where from here, After three PC polls?

Now that the mood and methods have set in for three Provincial Council polls, the results would determine if the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa would want to go ahead with the process in five others before holding the first-ever elections

Eliminating city dogs violates scientific, humane methods

It is apparent that the Colombo City development plan has targeted the animals and birds of the city for elimination in what appears to be an attempt to enhance its cosmetic effect. We have learnt there are fears that after restructuring and renovation,

Growing Hostility In Sri Lanka,: India’s New Challenge

Leave our country and mind your own business, India. We`d rather support Pakistan than you tongue twisted enemies in friendly disguise...