Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Social Justice and Health Rights

Admin June 1, 2021 659

Asanka Abeyrathna The United Nations and member countries commemorated International Health Day on April 7th 2021. The theme of this year’s event was “Building a Fairer, Healthier World.” Each country has endorsed at least one treaty on the rights of patients. The Right to Healthcare is a human

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Sri Lankan Birth Certificates Violate Ethnic Rights

Admin June 1, 2021 3308

Sajeewa Wijeweera “We too, are humans with the same red blood. However, the government ostracizes us. They do not at least issue birth certificates to us properly. They say that we are ‘Ahiguntikas’ who have migrated from India. Now, we are a community without proper ethnic identity. Our children cannot attend schools.” The speaker said […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Are Sri Lankan newspapers neutral?

Admin May 28, 2021 947

Jemsith The newspaper sector is service based.  Without being submissive to anyone, it should function independently; express its views bravely, condemn the injustices, law-breaking and human rights violations in the country and stand by the law. This sector is considered the fourth pillar of a democratic society.  Does the media, who are supposed to be […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Upcountry Tamils : Seeking the presence of the land

Admin May 26, 2021 1477

Malliyappu Santhi Tilakar The history of the Tamil people living in the hills of Sri Lanka can be seen as a multifaceted issue. These are people who were brought to Sri Lanka from India for the sole purpose of obtaining their labor. Today, they have established themselves as one of the predominant ethnic groups in […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Unnoticed sex workers during Corona pandemic

Admin April 1, 2021 659

Ashan Afthar There is no sector that is not affected by the Coronavirus.  One such group is the sex workers. People below the poverty line are, someway or other cared by wealthy people and voluntary organisations. Many continue their daily life with this assistance.  The condition of the sex workers engaged in a profession not […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The Army, The Police and Torture

Admin April 1, 2021 611

Asanka Abeyratne During the recent past, there were two separate incidents related to law and order that gained notoriety in both mainstream and social media. One incident was the appointment of Presidential Council Saliya Peiris as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Bar Association. Not only local lawyers but also human rights activists and civil […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

High Cut–off Marks Deny Scholarship Students Placement in Popular Schools

Admin March 31, 2021 568

Dilhani Thantirimudalige In spite of schools being closed for a long period due to the Corona pandemic, the result of the grade 5 scholarship examination held in October 2020 was delayed compared to other years. Ten students obtained 200 out of 200 which is the full mark. Even with limited access to direct teacher-student meetings […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The appointment of female DIG and Sri Lankan Woman

Admin March 31, 2021 852

Sampath Deshapriya  Thirty two senior Superintendents of police have complained to the Supreme Court against the appointment of Bimshani Jasinghearachchi as the first and the only female DIG in Sri Lanka. They have been arguing that the word ‘women’ is not included in the statement related to the promotion criteria in the service of Sri […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

What is Democracy?

Admin March 31, 2021 751

Bernard Edirisinghe It is important to study what is meant by democracy due to several reasons. Detachment of youth and youngsters from active politics, citizens choosing corrupted and uneducated representatives through elections can bring long-term damages to democracy in a country. Democracy can be identified in two aspects. The most famous aspect is the system […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

What is Authoritarian Politics?

Admin March 31, 2021 539

Bernard  Edirisinghe There is a popular belief about the characteristics of a democratic political system. Among them are pluralism, dissent, gender equality, civil society space, media freedom, the rule of law, devolution of power, and the integrity of rulers. The Verities of Democracy 2020 annual report states that these traits are now being eroded from the