Category: Local

National Women’s Convention 2016

The annual Sri Lankan National Women’s activists Convention organised by the Women and Media Collective was an opportunity to revisit ‘feminist understanding of the current political dynamics in Sri Lanka’. It brought together around 40 feminists and women activists, some representing organisations while others individually, to Wadduwa from the 14 – 16 of October 2016. The … Continue reading National Women’s Convention 2016

Consultation on Gender and Electoral Systems

The move to reform electoral systems in the country has generated a broad discussion, particularly around the participation of women in the political process. The proposed Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral systems is expected to use the First Past the Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) voting systems enabling voters with greater privilege over the … Continue reading Consultation on Gender and Electoral Systems

Action for a Peoples’ Constitution

A new constitution is a historic opportunity for democratisation and sharing of power and sovereignty amongst all peoples of Sri Lanka for a just peace with political and economic equality. We are facing widening economic inequality and precariousness, sharpening regional imbalances, weakening of public health, education and social welfare, and loss of natural resources.This will … Continue reading Action for a Peoples’ Constitution

Submission on LGBTIQ Persons and Transitional Justice Mechanisms

TO THE ZONAL TASK FORCE AND THE CONSULTATION TASK FORCE FOR RECONCILIATION MECHANISMS Source: Groundviews Photo Courtesy: 30 Years Ago Introduction We present this submission as individuals self-identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ), as family members and friends of LGBTIQ people, and as individuals/communities coming forward in support of Sri Lankans … Continue reading Submission on LGBTIQ Persons and Transitional Justice Mechanisms

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

Yesterday was the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances and in commemoration Right to Life organised a meeting for the families of the disappeared in Colombo. Around 300 family members, mostly women, of the disappeared gathered at the Viharamahadevi park. While they welcomed the Office of the Missing Persons the event also highlighted … Continue reading International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

Ambassadorship presented to Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala by the Minister of Women’s Affairs

Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala the first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest was presented with the Ambassadorship for the protection of women’s rights and an end to violence against women by the Hon. Minister Chandrani Bandara from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, today. The Ambassadorship to Jayanthi was granted for the next three years. It is with … Continue reading Ambassadorship presented to Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala by the Minister of Women’s Affairs