The photographs are from the public meeting and rally of when civil society took to the streets demanding that the new constitution guarantees economic justice and inclusion along with political freedoms and empowers people to secure economic policies that creates opportunities for all. Action for a peoples constitution is a collective of movements, networks, organisations … Continue reading In pictures: Action for a people’s constitution: public meeting and rally

In a steadfast move to ensure that the voices of civil society were heard in Sri Lanka’s Constitution making process a public meeting and rally was held in Colombo on the 20th of September 2016. It was initiated by a collective of around 100 organisations and individuals wanting to take public action. The meeting, under the banner … Continue reading Action for a people’s Constitution: public meeting and rally

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

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

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

Call for script submissions for this year’s short film competition. This is an opportunity for anyone who enjoys script writing and making films or anyone who would like to give it a try. Theme: Increasing Women’s Political Participation Deadline: 8th August 2016 for sending in your scripts only. We are looking for creative short film … Continue reading WMC Short Film Competition 2016

As the government moves towards implementing mechanisms of transitional justice (TJ) in the country, a workshop was organised by the Women and Media Collective on the 22 June 2016 to build awareness on the TJ process while also identifying the roles and responsibilities of the Special Taskforce on Reconciliation and Transitional Justice. Designed for civil … Continue reading Towards Transitional Justice

Click here to read the consolidated submissions on proposed constitutional provisions by women’s groups. Download the document here

The Women and Media Collective held several discussions with women’s rights activists and groups from over 20 districts on the new constitution making process. The drafting of third constitution since Sri Lanka’s independence encouraged public opinions for the very first time. At this historic juncture it was important that thoughts and concerns of women were … Continue reading Women’s submissions to the PRC on Constitutional reforms

Source: Groundviews  In response to the call by the Public Representations Committee (PRC) for public submissions relating to proposed constitutional reforms, the following submission was made to the PRC on March 15th 2016. Titled ‘A Meaningful Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination: Recognising Sexual and Gender Identities’ this submission focused on specific challenges faced by members … Continue reading A Meaningful Right to Equality and Non-Discrimination: Recognising Sexual and Gender Identities