Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Somebody took me to the Forum
Wow! Well an interesting evening! Rather shrouded by thunderous unseasonal monsoon rain but going to the theater this evening with Francesca was quite an experience.
The scene on stage was a family home. A teenage girl comes home upset after being threatened by a group of boys standing on the street corner. She is Hindu Tamil and they are Buddhist Sinhalese lads. Their threatening behavior has been building over the months now they have stopped her on the way to classes and tried to examine her shoulder bag saying she might be a suicide bomber. (a better account than mien cn be read here)
Of course the wider reality is that this type of scene is happening daily in Sri Lanka. With terrorism being exercised by all sides in a long and bitter civil conflict it is surprising that more inter-communal violence doesn't take place. But this drama is based on a true story and we the audience, after the first scene, and in the tradition of Brazilian dramatist, Augusto Boal's 'theater of the oppressed', are asked to think of what should happen next.
Mohan, the Tamil Father, is castigated by his daughter for seemingly not doing anything to protect her from this mob of young lads. Their family friend, Charith, a university pal of Mohan's and Sinhalese, has stepped in in earlier incidents, and remonstrated with the lads. "Hey man let's go deal witht he buggers, you and me?". Mohan described this as macho behaviour and it clearly makes him feel weak and undermined. His wife too scolds him for not being more proactive in protecting the family. She is clearly bitter that years ago he had not taken the opportunity of migrating with the whole family to escape this hostile environment.
We the audience are asked to try to resolve the problem; suggest the motivation and neurosis of the various characters and propose what might happen next. The Director, Ruwanthi de Chickera, skilfully develops a consensus from the audience and the actors huddle together and quickly discuss how to dramatize the next scene. The crowd of lads are brought on to say something about their interests in assaulting this young girl on her way to classes.
Shouldn't we know more about Mohan's reluctance to intervene, his hostile reaction to his wife, his fear of confrontation and his obvious painful early experiences in reporting incidence to the local police station? My suggestion of a stage soliloquy by Mohan, a neat device I thought to get him to spill the beans on his 'history', is quietly laid aside by the Director. This theatrical device is not the style of FORUM where the interaction between characters and the motivations 'we' give them is a vital part of the methodology.
The evening closes on stage, an eerily on-cue thunder storm outside, with Charith realising that his interventions are simply serving to further undermine Mohan's family. The problem is much larger than local bullying. Many youths are being drawn into a conflict ridden society in which under employment and lack of opportunity slips easily into scapegoat-ism. May be for Mohan's family and certainly for his daughter, the answer is to leave and study overseas. In reality only an option to the rich few in Sri Lanka or those lucky to have connections.
A challenging evening out. Not the kind of drama where you just sit back and watch a pre-determined plot unfold before you.
The Punchi Borella is a plucky little theatre.
The scene on stage was a family home. A teenage girl comes home upset after being threatened by a group of boys standing on the street corner. She is Hindu Tamil and they are Buddhist Sinhalese lads. Their threatening behavior has been building over the months now they have stopped her on the way to classes and tried to examine her shoulder bag saying she might be a suicide bomber. (a better account than mien cn be read here)
Of course the wider reality is that this type of scene is happening daily in Sri Lanka. With terrorism being exercised by all sides in a long and bitter civil conflict it is surprising that more inter-communal violence doesn't take place. But this drama is based on a true story and we the audience, after the first scene, and in the tradition of Brazilian dramatist, Augusto Boal's 'theater of the oppressed', are asked to think of what should happen next.
Mohan, the Tamil Father, is castigated by his daughter for seemingly not doing anything to protect her from this mob of young lads. Their family friend, Charith, a university pal of Mohan's and Sinhalese, has stepped in in earlier incidents, and remonstrated with the lads. "Hey man let's go deal witht he buggers, you and me?". Mohan described this as macho behaviour and it clearly makes him feel weak and undermined. His wife too scolds him for not being more proactive in protecting the family. She is clearly bitter that years ago he had not taken the opportunity of migrating with the whole family to escape this hostile environment.
We the audience are asked to try to resolve the problem; suggest the motivation and neurosis of the various characters and propose what might happen next. The Director, Ruwanthi de Chickera, skilfully develops a consensus from the audience and the actors huddle together and quickly discuss how to dramatize the next scene. The crowd of lads are brought on to say something about their interests in assaulting this young girl on her way to classes.
Shouldn't we know more about Mohan's reluctance to intervene, his hostile reaction to his wife, his fear of confrontation and his obvious painful early experiences in reporting incidence to the local police station? My suggestion of a stage soliloquy by Mohan, a neat device I thought to get him to spill the beans on his 'history', is quietly laid aside by the Director. This theatrical device is not the style of FORUM where the interaction between characters and the motivations 'we' give them is a vital part of the methodology.
The evening closes on stage, an eerily on-cue thunder storm outside, with Charith realising that his interventions are simply serving to further undermine Mohan's family. The problem is much larger than local bullying. Many youths are being drawn into a conflict ridden society in which under employment and lack of opportunity slips easily into scapegoat-ism. May be for Mohan's family and certainly for his daughter, the answer is to leave and study overseas. In reality only an option to the rich few in Sri Lanka or those lucky to have connections.
A challenging evening out. Not the kind of drama where you just sit back and watch a pre-determined plot unfold before you.
The Punchi Borella is a plucky little theatre.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
A Visit to Trincomale - Eastern Sri Lanka
'How does this local unstable situation affect the youth?' - 'I can't answer that - I am a Government servant'. The question was from one of my north European colleagues from Caritas asking questions of the Grama Sevaka (GS), the village level civil servant who the government in every Sri Lankan village. He was briefing us in his cramped office following a slightly delay entrance outside when the armed police post, just next to his temporary office, had shown some concern at our unexpected visit.
We were a group of about 13 people, both international staff from Caritas agencies around the world who had supported the massive Caritas Sri Lanka Tsunami response, together with two local Bishops and diocesan staff. The place was a camp of families displaced by the current conflict in Muttur, Eastern Sri Lanka. This coastal area had been badly affected by the 2004 Tsunami but has also an area of constant civil conflict being home to members of the Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist communities of Sri Lanka, a country riven by a long ethnic conflict. Many families in this camp had gone through their 3rd displacement in a decade, due to both human and man made disasters, and more often than not each time losing much of their processions. Our local Caritas staff wanted us to see the living conditions and hear the experiences of those suffering the impact of the prolonged civil conflict here.
"These families cannot go home despite the success the Government of Sri Lanka security forces have had in clearing Tamil Tigers from this area" said the GS, "their homes are now in a designated security area". I was reminded of the people displaced in Jaffna from the area around the Air Force Base, Palalai, and 10 years on are still living in temporary shelters while their houses and villages fall into ruins and return to jungle. 'The roads in this region make traveling slow and although the local hospital is only 10 kilometers away on rough poorly surfaced roads with limited vehicles available it might have been 100 kilometers.
We moved from a camp of about 300 families, in temporary shelters, stiflingly hot sheet corrugated sheds provided by UNHCR, to one further down the road where people were in a transition camp. They had fled during shelling of their village earlier this year and are now waiting to move back to their homes and seeking assistance to re-start their livelihoods. Each 50 meters a full combat soldier stands sentinel, machine gun held in a position of readiness; a marked reminder that the region is still unstable and people justifiably live in fear of renewed conflict.
'We just need help with our livelihoods, we need to get our produce to market, we need rice, we need transport' were the words we heard from family to family as we moved around Mutur in the hot sun but with storm clouds gathering. We were accompanied by a team of local Caritas psycho social workers who'd been receiving training to give what help and comfort they could. This region, devastated by months of shelling is slow showing signs of recovery but the population has experienced multiple shocks and the constant instability has been one of the key contributing factors holding up the Tsunami rebuilding process.
The next day was the formal 3rd anniversary of the terrible Tsunami which had caused so much devastation in this Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. All the international visitors and national staff and Bishops gathered in a temporary corrugated sheet hall, a stone plaque commemorating all those who had died in the few minutes of that destructive wave. Once assembled and Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist blessings had been preformed the clouds grew overcast again and I was reminded of the gospel story of the moment of the death of Christ. Then the heavens opened torrential monsoon rain drowned out the singing and speeches. In my row we could remained seated but the dignitaries sitting in front quickly found their feet in inches of seeping water.
We were to be the guests at the handing over of keys to the new houses of about 80 families. The whole new settlement was a Government owned plot, on an exposed hill, 3 kilometers inland from the sea. The fisherman who'll occupy the new homes Caritas has helped them construct here, will have a distance to travel to their boats, still the main source of their livelihood. 'I hope these houses are well above the ground' I thought as we wondered through the remaining drizzle, in small groups to each house to join with the families in cutting ribbons stretched across their humble thresholds. The local Caritas in Trincomalee has had a clear strategy of involving maximum participation from the families who are now to finally occupy their own homes. Their constant participation in the construction process has helped ensure a good quality building and one now in which they feel a proud ownership.
The house I approached in the rain was that of a family of five. Mr Therasundarajah, a fisherman, and his wife brought biscuits and a banana as I entered the house with my small entourage of children who seemed to be unaffected by the rain and needed no invitation to enter this new home. This seemed to be a strong sign that a real community spirit exists here. A community cemented and strengthened in the face of adversity. The family's three young children proudly stood with their parents for a picture but our attempts at any communication were stymied, food offerings being our only common language, and I learnt little about their future plans.
Then the police and military forces, who'd been providing the security needed for this big public event, started to move towards their vehicles. Earlier they been prodding around in the under growth to ensure there were no claymore land mines or other devices that so frequently seem to shatter the fragile peace in this region. We took the hint and moved to our mini-buses to start the long 8 hour drive back to the capital city of Colombo. We left 80 families starting to make the new houses their own and building new lives. 500 families have so far worked with Caritas in Trincomalee building their own houses but many more remain in temporary shelter awaiting their chance for a new home.
My last memory of the day were of the final words of the Grama Sevaka, we'd met the previous day in the temporary camp. 'I apologies on behalf of my people' he said 'for the discomfort you might have felt at the suspicion shown by the police post on your arrival'. Apparently the police had not known this group of international visitors were coming to see the conditions of the camp. 'Please when you get back to your countries please tell the needful'.
A rather enigmatic request but given the context, with armed guards within hearing, something of a cry for help.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Blog and Video Casting
A chance visit to Sri Lanka by a Sri Lankan TV documentary maker, at presenting studying 'film making' in London, made a hastily organised 'Video-Bogging' workshop possible. Prasanna Ratnayaka really appreciates the rapid development of alternative media and saw immediately the considerable power of internet tools such as YouTube for communications and advocacy. I hadn't realised how well the google online applications such as 'blogger', 'Youtube', 'Picasa' and 'google documents' can fit together to provide an excellent and free networking platform.
How often do we come across partners anxious and yet struggling to design and then maintain a website. More often than not it is designed beautifully, at some expense, and then languishes for months with no updates. The company managing the site wants an increased fee or the IT person has moved on for a higher salary or quite simply only one person knows how to edit it.
I have been promoting blogger.com as an easy and cost effective way of creating a website which is free, and easy to use. Any or all the staff of an organisation can be involved. Uploading video into your blog site has also recently been introduced which considerably extends the flexibility of the blog. Uploading audio files, a simple recording on MP3 accompanied by a series of still pictures, is easily put together in Windows Movie Maker. Who needs expensive Channel 4 documentaries now?
Well yes I agree - we haven't in anyway replaced TV documentaries with their bog budgets but possibly opened up an important opportunity to make the discussion and feed into to main line television more interactive. Networks such as BBC and CNN are increasing seeking 'people's video content' and alternative web portals are opening up to carrying new popularly generated content.
Just like a doctors prescription all this can be made excessively complicated so when Prasanna and I got together to plan a 'Video-Blogging' workshop we wanted to ensure it was as simple as possible, using equipment within the grasp of most of our partners. We booked the training suite of Lankanet (a little cramped and with a narrow broad band access) and sent a hastily devised invitation.
At short notice CAFOD did approve a basic budget but we additionally decided to charge a 1,000 Rupee fee (about £5) - now that is fairly steep when the average wage of a shop assistant is 10,000 Rupees a month. However we wanted to ensure that those who came were really interested and committed and their organisation behind them and wanting real outcomes. Within 3 days we had 18 applicants and enough to make the exercise more than worthwhile.
We based the workshop on using a standard Digital Camera, with a video setting, and a 526 memory chip. We bought three additional cameras to ensure all participants had access to the tools they needed. Prasanna did an excellent morning presentation on camera angles, light, and the skill of making the boring, interesting and in the afternoon Prasanna roped in a friend from E-TV, a new local TV station, to introduce the basics of editing using Windows Movie Maker.
Using small digital cameras does have the weakness of poor audio quality. To get a reasonable sound the camera has to be almost down the subject's throat... as you'll see from some of the presentations we did on that day. By 4pm in the afternoon in groups of 3, the participants had prepared and uploaded 5 short presentations. Yes audio quality left a lot to be desired but I think everyone learnt the importance of going for audio over picture quality.
Now we're in the final days of a competition we set to stimulate follow up to the workshop. Each participant is invited to make a 3min presentation on the work of their organisation and upload it onto Youtube or our hastily established BLOG. The one judged by our trainers to be the best use of material and communicating a clear message, will win a digital camera. Uploads have to be done by 15th December. So visit the site and see the results!
If any of you readers are doing anything similar then do tell us.
The week after the workshop the World Forum of Fisher Peoples met for their General Assembly in Sri Lanka and we used video casts to try and give some airing to the range of problems and issues the small artizanal fisher people's face across the world.
As a tool for communicating and advocacy this medium is still relatively new but it is growing and changing fast and we need to give all the assistance we can to our partners to see how they can best turn these tools to their advantage.
How often do we come across partners anxious and yet struggling to design and then maintain a website. More often than not it is designed beautifully, at some expense, and then languishes for months with no updates. The company managing the site wants an increased fee or the IT person has moved on for a higher salary or quite simply only one person knows how to edit it.
I have been promoting blogger.com as an easy and cost effective way of creating a website which is free, and easy to use. Any or all the staff of an organisation can be involved. Uploading video into your blog site has also recently been introduced which considerably extends the flexibility of the blog. Uploading audio files, a simple recording on MP3 accompanied by a series of still pictures, is easily put together in Windows Movie Maker. Who needs expensive Channel 4 documentaries now?
Well yes I agree - we haven't in anyway replaced TV documentaries with their bog budgets but possibly opened up an important opportunity to make the discussion and feed into to main line television more interactive. Networks such as BBC and CNN are increasing seeking 'people's video content' and alternative web portals are opening up to carrying new popularly generated content.
Just like a doctors prescription all this can be made excessively complicated so when Prasanna and I got together to plan a 'Video-Blogging' workshop we wanted to ensure it was as simple as possible, using equipment within the grasp of most of our partners. We booked the training suite of Lankanet (a little cramped and with a narrow broad band access) and sent a hastily devised invitation.
At short notice CAFOD did approve a basic budget but we additionally decided to charge a 1,000 Rupee fee (about £5) - now that is fairly steep when the average wage of a shop assistant is 10,000 Rupees a month. However we wanted to ensure that those who came were really interested and committed and their organisation behind them and wanting real outcomes. Within 3 days we had 18 applicants and enough to make the exercise more than worthwhile.
We based the workshop on using a standard Digital Camera, with a video setting, and a 526 memory chip. We bought three additional cameras to ensure all participants had access to the tools they needed. Prasanna did an excellent morning presentation on camera angles, light, and the skill of making the boring, interesting and in the afternoon Prasanna roped in a friend from E-TV, a new local TV station, to introduce the basics of editing using Windows Movie Maker.
Using small digital cameras does have the weakness of poor audio quality. To get a reasonable sound the camera has to be almost down the subject's throat... as you'll see from some of the presentations we did on that day. By 4pm in the afternoon in groups of 3, the participants had prepared and uploaded 5 short presentations. Yes audio quality left a lot to be desired but I think everyone learnt the importance of going for audio over picture quality.
Now we're in the final days of a competition we set to stimulate follow up to the workshop. Each participant is invited to make a 3min presentation on the work of their organisation and upload it onto Youtube or our hastily established BLOG. The one judged by our trainers to be the best use of material and communicating a clear message, will win a digital camera. Uploads have to be done by 15th December. So visit the site and see the results!
If any of you readers are doing anything similar then do tell us.
The week after the workshop the World Forum of Fisher Peoples met for their General Assembly in Sri Lanka and we used video casts to try and give some airing to the range of problems and issues the small artizanal fisher people's face across the world.
As a tool for communicating and advocacy this medium is still relatively new but it is growing and changing fast and we need to give all the assistance we can to our partners to see how they can best turn these tools to their advantage.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
The People’s Fisheries Commission
My mobile, on silent mode, vibrated again during a meeting. I peered at the screen, 'How U get involve and support this process?'. It was from Herman Kumara. The last few weeks has seen an interesting and fast moving campaign by CAFOD’s partners, National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO), from Negombo, Sri Lanka.
In response to the enormous problems faced by the fish-workers in Sri Lanka, especially since the immense destructive impact of the 2004 Tsunami, NAFSO has been pushing the Government to adopted, and fully implement, a national fisheries development policy. One of the key concerns which NAFSO feels should be urgently addressed is ‘saving the traditional Sri Lankan fishing grounds’.
The Tsunami did great damage, destroying many coral reefs where fish traditionally spawn as well as destroying 2/3rd of the coastal fishing vessels. During the down time, when Sri Lankan fisherman where no longer able to go to sea, bigger fishing vessels from foreign fisher nations, crept in. They are a now major threat to the traditional small fisher-workers of Sri Lanka.
In the rush to regenerate an income poor fisherman reverted to damaging and ecologically destructive practices such as using dynamite and poisons to catch fish. The Government is seen to be doing little to stop the spread of these practices, which could eventually destroy sustainable populations of coastal fish.
The ongoing civil war in Sri Lanka also has an immense and continuing impact on small scale fisherworkers, who form the vast majority of those employed in the fishing industry in Sri Lanka. Curfews and range limits preventing deep sea fishing, are frequently imposed in certain areas and fisherman frequently 'disappear' or are killed. They are from both sides in the violent ethnic conflict and are also victims of both sides.
The People’s Fisheries Commission, established by NAFSO, has been touring the coastal fishing communities, inviting local fisherman to share their experiences, describe the state of fishing in their area and how best the country can support, protect and promote the coastal fisheries. To highlight the progress being made and to address some of the issues being raised Herman Kumara, the Convener of NAFSO has being sending these daily SMS messages to all NAFSO’s contacts and supporters.
The Sri Lankan Government recently announced a fisheries Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the Maldives. A protest orgsanised by NAFSO outside the Ministry building led to a meeting with the Minister, refered to in Herman's first SMS, and the cancelation of the MOU.
Here is a flavour of the imaginative way CAFOD partners NAFSO are using mobile communications and information technology to heighten awareness among the population here and to struggle for real change.
SMSs from Herman ......
Sent:
12/04/07 06:39
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Minister was thouroughly angry though some success with discussion. He Agreed to CFC involvement on fish marketing, Cancel MOU signed with Maldives company. But did not agree to cancel the lisences issued to foreign fishing vessels. Need vigourous campaign to achieve better impact collectively. Herman
Sent:
12/05/07 09:15
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Today,forth day of the People's Fisheries Commission meet people at Trincomalee. Commissioners found people much interested to share their issues and need indepth analysis and education to formulate Sustainable Fisheries Policy. Need deep animation process with appropriate practical action. TY. Herman
Sent:
15/05/07 21:24
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Today,7th day of the Fisheries Commission work completed at Tangalle. Number very low, but very fruitful dialogue with them. Hope there will be follow up work.
Sent:
13/05/07 19:32
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
We completed Negombo, Puttlam, Kurunegala. Trincomalee & Pothuwil Fisheries Commission work today. People want Peace. War and tsunami affected people ready to come forward and take strong action with NAFSO/ANRHR. All fishers claim they need policy which help to sustain their life and livelihoods. 5 more days to go along southern and west coast communities and Polonnaru inland fishers tomorrow. How U get involve and support this process. TY. Herman
Sent:
18/05/07 06:22
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Final day of FC will meet people @ Kalutara today. The situation is alarming as people affected by tsunami, war, destruction & market forces are marginglized & helpless in coastal communities. Tsunami Guarantee Card given by MOF is just a paper & nothing provided 4 most people. Tsunami houses are another big issue 4 extended, leased & rented families . Fuel price hike & low fish price, destructive fishing should be addressed effectively. Amidst all war is the biggest threat to lives & livelihoods of the fisher people. We all need meet soon and analyse and plan an effective way to address all soon. HK
Sent:
17/05/07 19:58
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Day 9 FC met Galle Fishers @ Ratgama. Major issues of destructive fishing, irregularities of tsunami rehabilitation, tourism displacement & beach seine fishers issues were highlighted. Tom Kochery shared Nandigram experience @ West Bengal. People realized, People's policy a success with their commitment.
Sent:
18/05/07 19:00
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
NAFSO completed the 10 days Fisheries Commission work today at Kalutara. More than 200 oral presentations and 800 written submissions from fishers, tsunami and war affected people in 10 districts. Around 1500 people participated the work. Nimal(CP), Malinie, Kochery and Herman served as the commissioners. Thanks to all participated, assisted to the work many ways, organizing the meeting, and success of the commission.
To find out more about NAFSO and the People’s Fisheries Commission do visit NAFSO’s website and if you have a moment send them a message of support and solidarity.
In response to the enormous problems faced by the fish-workers in Sri Lanka, especially since the immense destructive impact of the 2004 Tsunami, NAFSO has been pushing the Government to adopted, and fully implement, a national fisheries development policy. One of the key concerns which NAFSO feels should be urgently addressed is ‘saving the traditional Sri Lankan fishing grounds’.
The Tsunami did great damage, destroying many coral reefs where fish traditionally spawn as well as destroying 2/3rd of the coastal fishing vessels. During the down time, when Sri Lankan fisherman where no longer able to go to sea, bigger fishing vessels from foreign fisher nations, crept in. They are a now major threat to the traditional small fisher-workers of Sri Lanka.
In the rush to regenerate an income poor fisherman reverted to damaging and ecologically destructive practices such as using dynamite and poisons to catch fish. The Government is seen to be doing little to stop the spread of these practices, which could eventually destroy sustainable populations of coastal fish.
The ongoing civil war in Sri Lanka also has an immense and continuing impact on small scale fisherworkers, who form the vast majority of those employed in the fishing industry in Sri Lanka. Curfews and range limits preventing deep sea fishing, are frequently imposed in certain areas and fisherman frequently 'disappear' or are killed. They are from both sides in the violent ethnic conflict and are also victims of both sides.
The People’s Fisheries Commission, established by NAFSO, has been touring the coastal fishing communities, inviting local fisherman to share their experiences, describe the state of fishing in their area and how best the country can support, protect and promote the coastal fisheries. To highlight the progress being made and to address some of the issues being raised Herman Kumara, the Convener of NAFSO has being sending these daily SMS messages to all NAFSO’s contacts and supporters.
The Sri Lankan Government recently announced a fisheries Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the Maldives. A protest orgsanised by NAFSO outside the Ministry building led to a meeting with the Minister, refered to in Herman's first SMS, and the cancelation of the MOU.
Here is a flavour of the imaginative way CAFOD partners NAFSO are using mobile communications and information technology to heighten awareness among the population here and to struggle for real change.
SMSs from Herman ......
Sent:
12/04/07 06:39
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Minister was thouroughly angry though some success with discussion. He Agreed to CFC involvement on fish marketing, Cancel MOU signed with Maldives company. But did not agree to cancel the lisences issued to foreign fishing vessels. Need vigourous campaign to achieve better impact collectively. Herman
Sent:
12/05/07 09:15
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Today,forth day of the People's Fisheries Commission meet people at Trincomalee. Commissioners found people much interested to share their issues and need indepth analysis and education to formulate Sustainable Fisheries Policy. Need deep animation process with appropriate practical action. TY. Herman
Sent:
15/05/07 21:24
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Today,7th day of the Fisheries Commission work completed at Tangalle. Number very low, but very fruitful dialogue with them. Hope there will be follow up work.
Sent:
13/05/07 19:32
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
We completed Negombo, Puttlam, Kurunegala. Trincomalee & Pothuwil Fisheries Commission work today. People want Peace. War and tsunami affected people ready to come forward and take strong action with NAFSO/ANRHR. All fishers claim they need policy which help to sustain their life and livelihoods. 5 more days to go along southern and west coast communities and Polonnaru inland fishers tomorrow. How U get involve and support this process. TY. Herman
Sent:
18/05/07 06:22
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Final day of FC will meet people @ Kalutara today. The situation is alarming as people affected by tsunami, war, destruction & market forces are marginglized & helpless in coastal communities. Tsunami Guarantee Card given by MOF is just a paper & nothing provided 4 most people. Tsunami houses are another big issue 4 extended, leased & rented families . Fuel price hike & low fish price, destructive fishing should be addressed effectively. Amidst all war is the biggest threat to lives & livelihoods of the fisher people. We all need meet soon and analyse and plan an effective way to address all soon. HK
Sent:
17/05/07 19:58
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
Day 9 FC met Galle Fishers @ Ratgama. Major issues of destructive fishing, irregularities of tsunami rehabilitation, tourism displacement & beach seine fishers issues were highlighted. Tom Kochery shared Nandigram experience @ West Bengal. People realized, People's policy a success with their commitment.
Sent:
18/05/07 19:00
From:
NAFSO National Assoc for Fisheries Societies
NAFSO completed the 10 days Fisheries Commission work today at Kalutara. More than 200 oral presentations and 800 written submissions from fishers, tsunami and war affected people in 10 districts. Around 1500 people participated the work. Nimal(CP), Malinie, Kochery and Herman served as the commissioners. Thanks to all participated, assisted to the work many ways, organizing the meeting, and success of the commission.
To find out more about NAFSO and the People’s Fisheries Commission do visit NAFSO’s website and if you have a moment send them a message of support and solidarity.
Monday, May 14, 2007
My Parting from Anderson Road, Kolubowila
Dear Damith
Thanks for your message. My heart missed a beat yesterday when the rent payment I made to you was bounced. Strange I couldn't understand why; then I noticed I had sent it to the Commercial Bank and not the Bank of Ceylon. Whoops! - I have sent it to the right account so would be good to know when it arrives.
Yes Priyantha is doing well in London and staying in my house there. That's very useful as he can keep an eye on things. He is still studying English in preparation for going on to study art. I have forwarded your email to him and I am sure he will get in touch. His art BLOG is CLICK.
Well my reference to this not being a good time to return here is all to do with the current, sliding political situation. The media is becoming more and more compliant, journalists fear for their lives if they aren't. You'll have heard about the Defence Secretary and the President's brother, Gotabaya, calling the Daily Mirror editor and berating her for telling the truth??
The Rajapaksa brothers are accused of running the Government like a kitchen cabinet and now control a lot of spending Ministries - but only one was ever elected.
I think today's feature in The Daily Mirror is an excellent analysis and by a military man too... You can see that it's the Daily Mirror we get delivered daily and the local scrap paper guy calls every now and then to take them away - wow how the pile mounts!
Then there's corruption and the sidelining of COPE, the Parliamentary Commission on corruption - it's findings an alarming revelation of corruption in the heart of Government. With inflation at record heights and the ordinary people suffering one ask 'what price a so called unitary state?'
So all rather dismal - and the recent SLFP proposals to end the conflict and offer the Tamils a constitutional settlement fell far far short of the mark. It all rather makes people feel hopeless.
Ground views is a good news and comments website by the way.
Well the owner of the new house, we're moving to, Pradeep, is also leaving the country. He works at HSBC and his young family is emigrating to Canada to join a brother who is already settled there. We spoke with Pradeep the other day and he said how much he would like to stay in Sri Lanka but it was a mess 'What to do - Nae? I want my children to have a chance!'
It is so sad to see people saying that about a country with such promise and such beauty. And I am afraid land prices and rental prices are not going up with inflation but the opposite way. No doubt you'll hear more from your brother.
We have all enjoyed living here and my friends from various parts of the world, who have visited, have also enjoyed the peace and quiet of Anderson Rd.
I hope there's not too much to do when you return but the wood beetle have certainly had a feast and I think a beetle fumigation before you move in would at least arrest the deterioration....the cupboards in my bedroom are not more like paper!
We'll stay in touch.
Ciao
Thanks for your message. My heart missed a beat yesterday when the rent payment I made to you was bounced. Strange I couldn't understand why; then I noticed I had sent it to the Commercial Bank and not the Bank of Ceylon. Whoops! - I have sent it to the right account so would be good to know when it arrives.
Yes Priyantha is doing well in London and staying in my house there. That's very useful as he can keep an eye on things. He is still studying English in preparation for going on to study art. I have forwarded your email to him and I am sure he will get in touch. His art BLOG is CLICK.
Well my reference to this not being a good time to return here is all to do with the current, sliding political situation. The media is becoming more and more compliant, journalists fear for their lives if they aren't. You'll have heard about the Defence Secretary and the President's brother, Gotabaya, calling the Daily Mirror editor and berating her for telling the truth??
The Rajapaksa brothers are accused of running the Government like a kitchen cabinet and now control a lot of spending Ministries - but only one was ever elected.
I think today's feature in The Daily Mirror is an excellent analysis and by a military man too... You can see that it's the Daily Mirror we get delivered daily and the local scrap paper guy calls every now and then to take them away - wow how the pile mounts!
Then there's corruption and the sidelining of COPE, the Parliamentary Commission on corruption - it's findings an alarming revelation of corruption in the heart of Government. With inflation at record heights and the ordinary people suffering one ask 'what price a so called unitary state?'
So all rather dismal - and the recent SLFP proposals to end the conflict and offer the Tamils a constitutional settlement fell far far short of the mark. It all rather makes people feel hopeless.
Ground views is a good news and comments website by the way.
Well the owner of the new house, we're moving to, Pradeep, is also leaving the country. He works at HSBC and his young family is emigrating to Canada to join a brother who is already settled there. We spoke with Pradeep the other day and he said how much he would like to stay in Sri Lanka but it was a mess 'What to do - Nae? I want my children to have a chance!'
It is so sad to see people saying that about a country with such promise and such beauty. And I am afraid land prices and rental prices are not going up with inflation but the opposite way. No doubt you'll hear more from your brother.
We have all enjoyed living here and my friends from various parts of the world, who have visited, have also enjoyed the peace and quiet of Anderson Rd.
I hope there's not too much to do when you return but the wood beetle have certainly had a feast and I think a beetle fumigation before you move in would at least arrest the deterioration....the cupboards in my bedroom are not more like paper!
We'll stay in touch.
Ciao
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
All in a New year 2007
Happy New year but it begins badly here in Sri Lanka. The war has notched up a degree with fighting over the festive season and a news article today from the Chief of the Army saying “We have come forward in order to annihilate the common enemy for separation and protect the territorial integrity of our Sri Lankan Motherland and her nation,” so not a lot of hope for peace as the New Year dawns.
Well may be some signs; Bishop Rayappu of Mannar has started a petition to be signed by ordinary people, electors, addressed to all parties of the conflict, to return to peace talof hope ks. "Using productively our resources regretting our past mistakes of over 50 –years," it says "we can build together a peaceful and beautiful Sri Lanka, as children of mother Lanka."
But such evocations for peace are rarely given space by the dominant forces on both sides of this intractable conflict. But there are other signs too. Recently a Dhana was offered to senior Buddhist monks by the Archbishop of Colombo at his own home. A Dhana is an offering to monks which also demonstrates a respect for their revered position in the community. This I hope will go someway to decreasing the anti-civil society rhetoric of the more chauvenist and nationalists voices in some sections of the Buddhist community here. But there's a lot more work to be done in breaking the isolation of the Buddhist Sangha some of whom seem firmly wedded to the concept of a Sri Lankan state historically 'gifted' to the Sinhalese people. Not a good basis on which to build a just, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
Hopefully, with Caritas Sri Lanka and other partners here in Sri Lanka, we can continue the slow and painstaking process of trying to build peace in this much divided society.
Well may be some signs; Bishop Rayappu of Mannar has started a petition to be signed by ordinary people, electors, addressed to all parties of the conflict, to return to peace talof hope ks. "Using productively our resources regretting our past mistakes of over 50 –years," it says "we can build together a peaceful and beautiful Sri Lanka, as children of mother Lanka."
But such evocations for peace are rarely given space by the dominant forces on both sides of this intractable conflict. But there are other signs too. Recently a Dhana was offered to senior Buddhist monks by the Archbishop of Colombo at his own home. A Dhana is an offering to monks which also demonstrates a respect for their revered position in the community. This I hope will go someway to decreasing the anti-civil society rhetoric of the more chauvenist and nationalists voices in some sections of the Buddhist community here. But there's a lot more work to be done in breaking the isolation of the Buddhist Sangha some of whom seem firmly wedded to the concept of a Sri Lankan state historically 'gifted' to the Sinhalese people. Not a good basis on which to build a just, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
Hopefully, with Caritas Sri Lanka and other partners here in Sri Lanka, we can continue the slow and painstaking process of trying to build peace in this much divided society.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Waste and Wanting
A quiet afternoon in Anderson Road there there was that often heard cry of a street seller passing my gate. I would normally resist the knocks and bell rings; 'just another attempt to make a fast buck', I thought. But something made me go answer the bell and there was Ruwan, a 35 year old father of 4 kids, on his bike looking for anything he could re-cycle. 'Do you take old newspapers?' I asked.
His eyes lite up 'Oh yes Mr, how many you have?'. Not only would he take old papers he offered to pay for them too. I went into my office and emerged with a ton or two of old newspapers that had started to become a major health and safty hazard. Now imagine cycling this bike home? In this picture he is only carrying half the bundle.
Like in so many other poor societies, here in Sri Lanka many make their meagre living from other people's waste but sadly not in plastics. Only yesterday I felt I was bitten by a showl of plastic bags when swimming on the mount Lavinia Beach. Imagine my delight, but complete incomprehension, when I saw announced in the news that production of plastic bags and wrappings, under 20 microns, will be illegal from 1st January 2007. Well so is extra-judicial execution but that runs rife.
Some hope for 2007.
Like in so many other poor societies, here in Sri Lanka many make their meagre living from other people's waste but sadly not in plastics. Only yesterday I felt I was bitten by a showl of plastic bags when swimming on the mount Lavinia Beach. Imagine my delight, but complete incomprehension, when I saw announced in the news that production of plastic bags and wrappings, under 20 microns, will be illegal from 1st January 2007. Well so is extra-judicial execution but that runs rife.
Some hope for 2007.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
‘My key message is we are mothers, and mothers give life to the world!
It's 25th October 2006 and the early evening monsoon downpour is slowing the traffic, but that’s not the only reason for the ‘parking-lot’ I am now stuck in trying to get home. Traffic police and military are stopping and searching every second car and nearly all buses this evening. And this is the main evening rush hour! 
Peace talks between the Government and the LTTE are due to start this Friday in
I am not optimistic about how productive the talks in
I asked Marie what she expected this meeting of representatives from all parts of the country would achieve. “At the end of today we want to give a clear message to the Government and Tamil Tigers that they MUST stop the war and talk until a compromise solution is agreed.” she said. “Don’t even give one word of support to the war. We must find out why the LTTE have taken to arms – what are the causes.”
Maria, who works with Janawaboda Kendraya in Negombo, told me,” People here today have come from all over the country – 13 districts including
The message of this big gathering, coming over loud and clear, was that the people on the whole don’t support the war, “We don’t want to give our children to the military to fight the war.” Maria said, ‘We want a just economic development that removes poverty, promotes health education and well being in which all the people of
Well I pray that you’re right Maria and the leaders meeting in
Thursday, June 15, 2006
There Seems to be a Collective Paralysis!
News today, Thursday, 15 June 2006, is that countless women, children and others have been killed in a claymore mine attack near the Sri Lankan Holy City of Anuradhapura. The bomb was clearly detonated to coincide with the return to Kilonochchi of the LTTE team sent to the abortive Oslo talks. Claymore mines, one of the most deadly land mine devices used in Sri Lanka, are detonated by remote devices and this one was clearly done knowing the civilians on the bus, women and children, would be killed in large numbers. The Tamil Tigers immediately claimed they had nothing to do with the attack and called it "senseless violence used for political ends," but Government of Sri Lanka air force jets follow with a bombing raid on Tigers controlled Mullaithivu, clearly indicating the Government of Sri Lanka thought otherwise. Whither the peace process?
The Norwegians have fallen short of announcing their suspension of attempts at facilitating more talks, having so conspicuously failed in Oslo last week, but their frustration is evident. Both sides say they are still committed to a cease fire, agreed 2003, but their actions suggest otherwise. The recent spate of massacres by as yet unidentified groups affecting civilians in both ethnic divide suggests that the will to bring about a real peace process just isn’t there no matter what the ‘international community’ does.
The Tigers’ increasing use of the language of a para-state, suggesting a self elective ‘sovereignty’, and the southern Government’s own flouting of its own constitutional provisions suggests the development of a hybrid Sri Lankan state. To talk in this context of a unitary or federal state is almost nonsensical. There seems to be a collective paralysis among many of those engaged in conflict transformation – all avenues tried and retried but we head unhindered back to a massively destructive war.
The Norwegians have fallen short of announcing their suspension of attempts at facilitating more talks, having so conspicuously failed in Oslo last week, but their frustration is evident. Both sides say they are still committed to a cease fire, agreed 2003, but their actions suggest otherwise. The recent spate of massacres by as yet unidentified groups affecting civilians in both ethnic divide suggests that the will to bring about a real peace process just isn’t there no matter what the ‘international community’ does.
The Tigers’ increasing use of the language of a para-state, suggesting a self elective ‘sovereignty’, and the southern Government’s own flouting of its own constitutional provisions suggests the development of a hybrid Sri Lankan state. To talk in this context of a unitary or federal state is almost nonsensical. There seems to be a collective paralysis among many of those engaged in conflict transformation – all avenues tried and retried but we head unhindered back to a massively destructive war.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
The Tsunami offered no opportunity to re-think the purpose of nationhood,
Mid June now and peace seems further way following the chaos of the Oslo meetings last week. Or non- meetings as the media portrays it this weekend. Of course as ever each sides blames the other and no one accepts responsibility which is true of the recent spate of horrific massacres, Alaipiddy, Welikanda and now Vankalai.
The LTTE could clearly have said before arriving in Oslo, for what they now say they saw as bi-lateral talks with Norway and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission countries, that they were not prepared to meet the Sr Lankan Government delegation face to face. They left this to the first day of the meetings. What an enormous gamble wth destiny and what a colossal waste of time. Now who pays for all this waste? And in demanding that the SLMM monitors from EU countries now withdraw from the SLMM as a consequence of the formal banning of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation in Europe, who is supposed to pay for the new monitors? Surely not the LTTE! And why should it be paid for by the much pilloried Norwegians? It is of course the civilians who finally pay with their lives.
The SLMM also choose last week to release their latest report on the Cease Fire Agreement and its findings are fairly damning of both the LTTE and the Government. It makes dismal reading but the Government response shows absolutely no sign of culpability. With such a low level of confidence from both parties how can the SLMM continue? Most observers here feel the CFA is now only honoured in the breach. With seemingly all avenues now exhausted to get compliance to the ceasefire we all wait in dread for the wholesale reversion to war and the tremendous loss of life and development opportunity, which Sri Lanka will almost certainly suffer.
The tragedy of the Tsunami offered no opportunity to re-think the purpose of nationhood, turning it to uniting and not dividing peoples. It seems at the beginning of this week that the real and lasting monument to the many 10s of thousands who died in both the war and the Tsunami, will not be The Peace as we had all hoped, prayed and worked for.
The LTTE could clearly have said before arriving in Oslo, for what they now say they saw as bi-lateral talks with Norway and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission countries, that they were not prepared to meet the Sr Lankan Government delegation face to face. They left this to the first day of the meetings. What an enormous gamble wth destiny and what a colossal waste of time. Now who pays for all this waste? And in demanding that the SLMM monitors from EU countries now withdraw from the SLMM as a consequence of the formal banning of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation in Europe, who is supposed to pay for the new monitors? Surely not the LTTE! And why should it be paid for by the much pilloried Norwegians? It is of course the civilians who finally pay with their lives.
The SLMM also choose last week to release their latest report on the Cease Fire Agreement and its findings are fairly damning of both the LTTE and the Government. It makes dismal reading but the Government response shows absolutely no sign of culpability. With such a low level of confidence from both parties how can the SLMM continue? Most observers here feel the CFA is now only honoured in the breach. With seemingly all avenues now exhausted to get compliance to the ceasefire we all wait in dread for the wholesale reversion to war and the tremendous loss of life and development opportunity, which Sri Lanka will almost certainly suffer.
The tragedy of the Tsunami offered no opportunity to re-think the purpose of nationhood, turning it to uniting and not dividing peoples. It seems at the beginning of this week that the real and lasting monument to the many 10s of thousands who died in both the war and the Tsunami, will not be The Peace as we had all hoped, prayed and worked for.
Free Open Source Software is really the way to go for many of our small development partners
WHAT IS FOSS?
Free Open Source Software is really the way to go for many of our small development partners here in Sri Lanka. I learnt this recently at a workshop in May hosted by Lankanet, one of CAFOD’s longest partners in Sri Lanka.
As World Trade Organisations rules get tighter; rules which struggling economies of places like Sri Lanka are impelled to implement, then access to standard software becomes more expensive. However there is really no longer a need for most organisations to run standard proprietary software, such as Microsoft operating systems or MS office packages, and pay the expensive licenses they demand.
All the standard, and many not so standard, software needs can now be satisfied by FOSS, Free Open Source Software. This is truly free software often developed by a global network of enthusiasts seeking to promote access to IT for all levels of society and really bridg the digital divide.
CAFOD’s partners in Information Technology in Sri Lanka, Lankanet, have taken this a step further. They have developed a whole office network, (one server and up to 10 clients), which can provide a fast and efficient modern networked office at a fraction of the price of a standard network of office PCs. This is known as a Thin Client Network where only one Pentium 4 PC is necessary and up to 10 old Pentium 2s or 3s can be networked using LINUX based software.
Included in this package is the Fedora Operating System, which is now almost indistinguishable from Windows XP, and ‘openoffice.com’ which provides a package of software that rivals MS Office. The big plus here is to be able to run on low memory and old PC at speeds, which make them seem practically new. This is simply done by running each of the clients (the older PCs) directly off the main Pentium 4 or equivalent, PC using a router and special LINUX networking software. The second major bonus is the whole system is practically free of virus attacks.
Now the time has arrived when free software can really bring free access nearer to reality but convincing people to change is not easy. Well the people attending this opening workshop were convinced – now to get them trained up to set up networks in their own offices is the next task. Good luck lankanet!
Free Open Source Software is really the way to go for many of our small development partners here in Sri Lanka. I learnt this recently at a workshop in May hosted by Lankanet, one of CAFOD’s longest partners in Sri Lanka.
As World Trade Organisations rules get tighter; rules which struggling economies of places like Sri Lanka are impelled to implement, then access to standard software becomes more expensive. However there is really no longer a need for most organisations to run standard proprietary software, such as Microsoft operating systems or MS office packages, and pay the expensive licenses they demand.
All the standard, and many not so standard, software needs can now be satisfied by FOSS, Free Open Source Software. This is truly free software often developed by a global network of enthusiasts seeking to promote access to IT for all levels of society and really bridg the digital divide.
CAFOD’s partners in Information Technology in Sri Lanka, Lankanet, have taken this a step further. They have developed a whole office network, (one server and up to 10 clients), which can provide a fast and efficient modern networked office at a fraction of the price of a standard network of office PCs. This is known as a Thin Client Network where only one Pentium 4 PC is necessary and up to 10 old Pentium 2s or 3s can be networked using LINUX based software.
Included in this package is the Fedora Operating System, which is now almost indistinguishable from Windows XP, and ‘openoffice.com’ which provides a package of software that rivals MS Office. The big plus here is to be able to run on low memory and old PC at speeds, which make them seem practically new. This is simply done by running each of the clients (the older PCs) directly off the main Pentium 4 or equivalent, PC using a router and special LINUX networking software. The second major bonus is the whole system is practically free of virus attacks.
Now the time has arrived when free software can really bring free access nearer to reality but convincing people to change is not easy. Well the people attending this opening workshop were convinced – now to get them trained up to set up networks in their own offices is the next task. Good luck lankanet!
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Sugandhini had suffered from asthma - a message from a CAFOD friend
Dear Friends
I was really disappointed having the experiences around injustices and very few even care those who try do some work for justice.
Just I want to share my day………
Sugandhini had suffered from asthma for a long time, according to her relatives so her parents had tried several times to get bail but each time it was rejected. Earlier morning on June 5th, according to her friends, she was in her prison cell screaming and begging for help. She continued for nearly 3 hours, her two cell mates also made knocking noises on the cell windows yet no officer came.
Then finally around 4.20 am she was admitted to the Negombo hospital but according to the doctors there they said it was too late, they couldn’t do anything, she was pronounced dead.
Sugandhini’s mother and here relatives came from
After the postmortem the body was brought to a funeral parlor in Negombo town and around 10pm was taken to
We actually heared, in the funeral parlor, that some RS 25000 had been given in payments for the officers from the police to the prison. This was according to the relatives. As a Sinhalese I really felt ashamed and just cannot believe how these persons can do such inhuman practices to such people.
According to them the payments were, for the special vehicle to transport the body to Jaffna RS 30,000.00, for the funeral palor RS 45000.00 but then bribes of RS 25,000.00
What a world?
I was just thinking whether I should share some very personal things ….. During the course of all these journeys today my motor bike stopped. It had run out of petrol. I had only RS 40 in my pocket which is not enough to fill the tank with petrol. Then Sahaj, our Muslim friend, offered some money which solved the problem.
During the day there had been no time to even have lunch but around 4pm we went to a hotel, in the Muslim area of Negombo, just to have tea. We then saw a few people reading our Tamil news paper. Our friend approach the people reading the paper and asked about the newspaper not saying that we had any link with it. They said they very much appreciated it and even directed us where to buy one. We went to the shop they had directed us to but no more papers! All were sold.
Then with all these feeling and tiredness sat on the chair in front of the computer to read emails then I so your mail.
That’s why in the very beginning that I wrote Really thanks.
I feel free now, the time is 4 am on June 7th .
In solidarity
Monday, April 24, 2006
'Here we are, Muslim, Hindu and Christian living peacefully together!
With a number of Caritas Sri Lanka's international partners I visited Batticaloa and Kalmunia from 26th to 28th March. We had just attended a bi-annual meeting of their National Peace Programme and this visit was to observe some of the issues the programme was having to address at community level.
Both Batticaloa and the Kalmunai/Ampara Districts are areas where the Tsunami of December 2005 had it's most devastating impact. Many coastal communities were washed away with enormous loss of life and property. In this picture we had a meeting with people in a temporary camp in Kalmunai. Some permanent houses have now been built there by EHED, the Caritas Sri Lankan local partner, but the demand vastly outstrips the available resources. As many know the need is not for money but to make sure that it effectively gets to where it is needed and this is where the local capacity is a problem. Finding the building contractors, sorting out the land/legal issues, separating the genuine beneficiaries from those who see the opportunity to better themselves and finally empowering the communities to manage the process of rebuilding their villages; all these are problems EHED has to deal with which necessarily makes the process of building homes a slow one.
In the community you see in this picture people had gathered to say 'Here we are, Muslim, Hindu and Christian living peacefully together but the time it is taking to help us build new homes is causing conflict between us'. Our EHED colleagues told us that this is natural conflict, between those chosen as the first to benefit, women headed households, or those familes with injured or disabled, and those who may have to wait for one or two years to finally be re-settled. 'Sadly there are always those who can generate envey and bittnerss for political purposes to divide the community', one EHED staff said to me.
Monday, March 13, 2006
A week in Sri Lankan politics is no time at all!
A week in Sri Lankan politics is no time at all! Here in Sri Lanka the temperature is soaring both the meteorological and the political sense. The Geneva talks ended on a rather surprising upbeat note 23 February 2006 but it seems to have been downhill ever since. Both sides continue business almost (has to be said not quite to the violent levels of a few months back) as usual. Children are still purportedly being taken in by LTTE for ‘voluntary training’, according to a recent UNICEF statement and Sri Lankan security forces still seem to be giving safe haven to break-away LTTE groups. A turn up for the books today. Monday 14th April, is that the JVP seem to have indicated that they’ll accept an Indian Federal type constitutional settlement. Somehow I can’t believe that and we’ll probably find a correction by a leading JVP spokesperson in the press tomorrow.
However on the bright side Mahinda Rajapaksa is proving to be a probably much abler politician than his predecessor Chandrika. She has thoroughly destroyed any chance of acquiring ‘elder statesman’ credibility, and last week ‘fled’ to London after a squabble over leadership of Bandaranayake’s political party the SLFP, when the party is heding for important local Government elections. It hardly seems possible that the 'President of the party, which she still is, should be out of the country during vital campaigning time. I think there’s a strong possibility she’ll settle in the UK in the long term never quite able to come to terms with her family finally being levered from the leadership of the political party her father founded.. Sad really – she could have retired gracefully from direct politics and played a sort of ‘apolitical’ Jimmy Carter/Bill Clinton type role. Well that’s not going to happen now.
A surprise to many of us was a visit by John Paul Lederach to Colombo last week as the guest of Inpact, local agency engaged in various conflict transformation activities. I have chosen the picture of his lecture to a small assembled group of local and expatriate people engaged in various dimensions of peace building, to show here. One of the most enduring images which comes to mind from his short talk is the metaphor of the spiders web as applied to conflict transformation. The spider builds its web very strategically with key anchor points and main cables intersecting in the centre, but each segment can survive damage to any one area. Conflict transformation should similarly be built from many segments, strategically cooperating but the failure of any individual initiative will not impede the whole. We’re all hoping he’ll be back.
The local Government elections are just 2 weeks away and as yet news of campaign violence seems mercifully small. However, yet again, there are major problems. The Tamil National Alliance of the North and East has called for the elections to be postponed, as have the major national independent election monitors, PAFREL. The Courts have issued various injuctions and legal instructions halting the elections in some districts and the Elections Commissioner has a complex task in sorting out the legal muddle. I think we may well hear later this week that the elctions are postponed for another couple of months giving time, hopefully, for a new electoral register to be used and for voter ID to be introduced. Both improvements which many political parties seem to resist. If these provisions can be implemented it will give the election results much more credibility.
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