The arrest and ongoing detention of award-winning author and poet Shakthika Sathkumara on spurious charges are a clear violation of his right to freedom of expression, CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance and the Asian Human Right Commission (AHRC), said today ahead of his next court hearing on 18 June. Shakthika Sathkumara was arrested on 1 April 2019 by the Polgahawela Police in response to a complaint alleging that Sathkumara’s short story ‘Ardha’ (Half) was derogatory and defamatory to Buddhism. The story is allegedly about homosexuality and child abuse in a Buddhist…
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Debate on restoring security is diverted to suit political ends
Late Mr. Tarzie Vittachithe, winner of many prestigious awards for journalism, had a favourite saying that, “Everything is about something else”. In a similar manner, the parliamentary discussion on two no-confidence motions is also clearly about other issues, rather than the brutal carnage that took place on Easter Sunday and the causes thereof. The government is looking at these motions to prevent its fall from power, while the opposition is looking at them with the view to topple the government from power. No one is debating the factors that led…
Read MoreFacing not merely a security problem but also an acute constitutional crisis
Although there was a two day parliamentary debate held to discuss the Easter Sunday carnage caused by the bombs that were exploded in three churches and several tourist hotels, no consensus has yet emerged as to the primary causes that led to the complete breakdown of the security situation and such an abject failure on the part of the state to protect the lives of the people. If there is to be a solution to such colossal failures, there has to be a consensus in the political establishment, as well…
Read MoreFacing not merely a security problem but also an acute constitutional crisis
Although there was a two day parliamentary debate held to discuss the Easter Sunday carnage caused by the bombs that were exploded in three churches and several tourist hotels, no consensus has yet emerged as to the primary causes that led to the complete breakdown of the security situation and such an abject failure on the part of the state to protect the lives of the people. If there is to be a solution to such colossal failures, there has to be a consensus in the political establishment, as well…
Read MoreInternal Causes for Easter Sunday Carnage
Much is talked about the external factors behind the worst attacks on human lives experienced in Sri Lankan history within a single day. This search for understanding the external causes, the organizations and the individuals within, is amply justified. However, that does not explain why it was possible to organise the attacks on that day. Preparations for further attacks have also been discovered in many parts of the country. The question is how was all that possible without the knowledge of the Government and its security apparatus? An associated paradox…
Read MoreSri Lanka mourns worst attack since civil war and other stories in JUST ASIA
This week Just Asia begins with Sri Lanka, which has been traumatized by a series of coordinated bombings on Easter Sunday. More than 350 people were killed and at least 500 wounded in the deadliest attack in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war 10 years ago. The dead included at least 45 children. The blasts targeted three churches, as well as four hotels. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe acknowledged there was a prior warning about the bombings, and Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundara have been…
Read MoreExpression of solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) condemns the brutal attacks on several churches in Sri Lanka, which killed a large number of persons attending Easter Sunday mass. There were also attacks on several tourist hotels, killing about 32 foreign tourists. This tragedy has shocked and distressed the entire nation, with lamentations heard from so many families and their loved ones. While politicians are talking about preventing such attacks in the future, there have been no serious reflections on what made such a widespread attack possible. The AHRC for many years…
Read MorePublic space decreasing as talk of presidential election looms large
In an unprecedented move, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena attacked the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) for carrying out its duty to vet soldiers to participate in United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. While the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations requires the HRCSL to vet the human rights record of persons proposed for participation in peacekeeping missions, the President and the military are opposing this move. As a result, an earlier group of peacekeepers already in the Missions continue to be there, while a new group is unable to go. Two…
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