Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The Release of Power and Freedom of Expression

Admin March 31, 2021 569

Jayasiri Jayasekera Shakthika Sathkumara, a writer who had been facing a court case for nearly two years for writing a short story and posting it on his Facebook account, was recently acquitted of all charges. The case was heard in the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court after the Attorney General

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

What is the United Nations Human Rights Council?

Admin March 30, 2021 583

Ajith Parakum Jayasinghe Every year, the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim national movements in Sri Lanka wake up and look to Geneva. To the people of Sri Lanka, Geneva is a word that has a political meaning that goes beyond just a Swiss city. The purpose of this article is to understand what Geneva is all […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Should the State be the principal protector of human rights? (PART II)

Admin March 29, 2021 555

Dhanushka Silva  The contradiction between the plurality of the international system and the universality of the human rights concept outlines the importance of other actors sharing the responsibility of human rights protection. The human security paradigm recognizes human rights to be a solidaristic concept where human rights are universal. However, conversely, the

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Should the State be the principal protector of human rights? (PART I)

Admin March 29, 2021 541

Dhanushka Silva Human rights belong to human beings by virtue of their humanity. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, human rights are universal, inalienable, indivisible and interdependent. The dawn of the human security paradigm brings to light the idea of human rights and the duty of the state in ensuring the […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Should the State be the principal protector of human rights? (PART 1)

Admin March 27, 2021 548

Dhanushka Silva The contradiction between the plurality of the international system and the universality of the human rights concept outlines the importance of other actors sharing the responsibility of human rights protection. The human security paradigm recognizes human rights to be a solidaristic concept where human rights are universal. However, conversely, the concept

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The Persecution of Single Mothers in Sri Lanka

Admin March 27, 2021 733

Natalie Soysa We use the term ‘single mother’ loosely here, but it means different things to those who use it and moreover to those who carry the mantle. Single mother can refer to a mother who is divorced and has primary custody of the child or children – in which case there is usually some […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

WHERE IS THE ‘CARE’ IN HEALTHCARE? A Critique on Sri Lanka’s Public Health System

Admin March 27, 2021 554

Natalie Soysa It is a mistaken idea to assume that Sri Lanka offers a free public healthcare system. While people who are in need of such services don’t have to make immediate payments for surgeries, clinic visits, hospital stays and medication at state-run facilities, the reality is that citizens have already paid for these services […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

An Election that Created a New Propensity of Breaking the Traditional Power Exchange between Two Major Parties

Admin March 27, 2021 547

Kamani Hettirarachchi A general election is held to appoint representatives to rule a country for a certain time period. According to the Sri Lankan constitution the representatives who are appointed from an election can rule the country for 5 years. Sri Lanka People’s Front which competed under the symbol of a lotus bud has achieved […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

Post-mortem Examinations during COVID

Admin March 26, 2021 554

Sandali Amaya A current and important topic of discussion these days is COVID-19 or otherwise called, the Corona Virus. Many individuals in society have used various tactics and precautions to avoid this virus and protect their lives. However, the subject of post-mortem examinations remains a much fraught subject of discussion. The question lies in whether the […]

Freedom of expression and fundamental rights

The right to express opinions is not a virus (Part 2)

Admin March 19, 2021 563

Asanka Abeyrathna Communities that follow various religions and philosophies are present in Sri Lanka. However, within this context, due to Buddhism being given a priority place with our constitution it can be noted that this is a violation of the ICCPR convention. While our Constitution recognizes the ‘right to practice one’s religion’ as a personal […]