cpa newsletter - october 2013

7/27/2019 CPA Newsletter - October 2013

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October 2013

10 -13 September 2013: As part of the Third Phase of the

Promoting Language Rights of Minorities project a team from

Outreach Unit visited Ampara, Batticalo, Attalaichenai, and Kantalai towork with trainers, to design regional language audits .

Government/public institutions that would be audited in the future

were scoped and plans of action devised. Improvements to bilingual

public signage were assessed in the regions visited.

20 September 2013: A Language Society meeting was held in Jaffna

for donor representatives to meet regional language society

personnel who were debriefed about the progress and challenges of

the project.

24 26 September 2013: A team from the Outreach Unit visited

Badulla, Passara to monitor the progress of the Safeguarding Civilrights of Plantation Workers project. A mobile service was held at

Madolseema Hindu Cultural Hall, and more than 150 persons were

able to set in motion the applications for birth, death and marriage

certificates and National Identity Cards. The right to assign names for

estate sector roads was claimed by the Passara Pradeshya Sabha

and new addresses were Gazetted on September 26. The project

aims to empower some of the poorest and most marginalized peoples

in the estate sector of Badulla, by providing them permanent

addresses to their dwellings, thus facilitating safe receipt of important

personal communications.

Outreach Unit

Above: Participants at the Badulla

mobile camp for processing

identification documentation.

Below: Improvements to bilingual

public signage, Ulla.


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Page 2Centre for Policy Alternatives: October 2013: http://www.cpalanka.org

The Centre for MonitoringElection Violence CMEV

CMEV officially commenced monitoring the

Northern Provincial Council Elections, on 2

September 2013. From 2nd to 4th September

2013, CMEV conducted a field visit to the districtsof Killinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna.

The field visit focused on the peoples attitudes

towards elections in general and the obstacles, if

any, to ensuring a free and fair election in the

unique socio-political circumstances prevalent in

these districts.

Field Monitors were deployed in the first week of

September covering every polling division in the

province. On Election Day CMEV deployed 240

election monitors at individual polling stations inaddition to 17 field monitors and 8 mobile units.

Over the course of the Election from September 14

to close of polling at 4pm on September 21, nine

media communiques were produced with all major

and minor incident updates reported to CMEV.

These are available on ourCMEV WordPresssite

in all three major languages. The website has over

50,000 readers to date.

Two live maps of reports on election violence were produced

and consistently updated when and as reports came in and

were confirmed; oneleading up to the Electionsand the

other onElection Day.

On Election Day audio updates were also created, were in all

three languages summarizing major incidents and analysis

by personnel at the CMEV secretariat. All podcasts are

available on the CMEV blog site. Additionally images sent to

the CMEV secretariat were also posted onFlickr.

All blog, audio, images, map and mainstream media updates

were posted on the CMEVFacebook andTwitter, resulting

in CMEV updates becoming a major source of information

both for those following the elections in the country and

overseas. The standard of reporting and varied platformsused by CMEV led to the Centre being cited in media both

national and international.

The situation report at the close of elections stated that The

North Provincial Council Elections saw a relatively high

turnout as compared to previous elections. While the number

of incidents recorded on Election Day was not of a high

frequency, polling day and the campaign period saw a series

of electoral malpractices and violations which seriously

undermined the free and fair nature of the electoral process.

On election day there were a number of violations including

acts of arson, assault and intimidation, transportation of

voters and campaigning, and an assault of an election

monitor.

CMEV was formed in 1997 by the Centre for Policy

Alternatives (CPA), the Free Media Movement (FMM) and

the Coalition against Political Violence as an independent

and nonpartisan organization to monitor the incidence of

election related violence. Currently, CMEV is made up of

CPA, FMM and INFORM Human Rights Documentation

Centre.

Far left: fake newspaper of

Uthayan was circulated to

the public on Election

morning

Left: Dr. P. Saravanamuttu,

Co-Convenor, CMEV with

appointed Field Monitors
http://cmev.wordpress.com/http://cmev.wordpress.com/http://cmev.wordpress.com/https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kjt42P9og_RUhttps://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kjt42P9og_RUhttps://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kjt42P9og_RUhttps://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kIow29e6GnWwhttps://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kIow29e6GnWwhttps://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kIow29e6GnWwhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157635676243494/http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157635676243494/http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157635676243494/https://www.facebook.com/electionviolencehttps://www.facebook.com/electionviolencehttps://www.facebook.com/electionviolencehttp://www.twitter.com/cmevhttp://www.twitter.com/cmevhttp://www.twitter.com/cmevhttp://www.twitter.com/cmevhttps://www.facebook.com/electionviolencehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157635676243494/https://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kIow29e6GnWwhttps://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z7dYBkirDZa0.kjt42P9og_RUhttp://cmev.wordpress.com/


3/8


Media Unit

The Lasantha Wickrematunge

memorial lecture was held on 21

September 2013 at Ryerson

University in Toronto, Canada.

Co-hosted by Sri Lankans Without

Borders (SLWB) and the South

Asian Journalists Association, the

lecture examined press freedom and

related human rights issues in Sri

Lanka as part of a special event

commemorating the life and times of

leading Sri Lankan journalist and

human rights activist Lasantha

Wickrematunge. Find official SLWB

event pagehere. Featured speakersincluded Sanjana Hattotuwa,

Founding Editor of Groundviews and

Senior Researcher at the Centre for

Policy Alternatives.

Threats, often violent, in response

to any kind of journalism or voice

that interrogates Sri Lankas growing

democratic deficit and militarization

continue to grow, and yet agitation

for greater freedom of expression

including the safety and security of

journalists remain both episodic and

peripheral within the mainstream

media itself Mr Hattotuwa said.

State media itself is guilty of hate

speech, especially targeted at

human rights activists. All broadcast

and print media, without exception,

rely on advertising to maintain

operations. The Government itself is

one the largestadvertisers. Thethreat of losing advertising revenue

is alone enough to effectively

silence

He further stated that Web based

media operating domestically and

outside of Sri Lanka meticulously

record and publish the inconvenient,

but lack the reach and impact of

mainstream mediaTruly

independent media and the freedom

of expression in Sri Lanka remain

under the shadow of a gun. We

ignore this only to risk another, more

brutal war.

Declared a World Press Freedom

Hero in 2010, Lasantha

Wickrematunge, former Editor The

Sunday Leader and Time magazine

reporter was known for his critical

coverage of successive Sri Lanka

governments. After many years of

receiving threats to both himself and

his family was assassinated in

January 2009. His final editorial read

when finally I am killed, it will be thegovernment that kills me. The Sri

Lankan Government denies any

involvement in his murder and the

case remains unsolved.

Photos from the event, plus other

events organized by SLWB around

this event, can be seen on their

Flickr pagehere. A video recording

of the full event can be seenhere.
http://www.slwb.ca/lasanthahttp://www.slwb.ca/lasanthahttp://www.slwb.ca/lasanthahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/srilankanswithoutborders/sets/72157635912685135/http://www.flickr.com/photos/srilankanswithoutborders/sets/72157635912685135/http://www.flickr.com/photos/srilankanswithoutborders/sets/72157635912685135/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-jw6y0f_IA&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-jw6y0f_IA&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-jw6y0f_IA&feature=youtu.behttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-jw6y0f_IA&feature=youtu.behttp://www.flickr.com/photos/srilankanswithoutborders/sets/72157635912685135/http://www.slwb.ca/lasantha


4/8


Under the project of Reconnecting Citizens & Local Authorities in

the North a series of publications were launched on Local

Governance. The publications were launched on 30th September

2013 in Thyahi Charitable Trust Hall, Jaffna.

CPA with the support of (USAID/RISEN) has carried out a

programme in the North with the objective of building the capacity

of elected representatives of Pradeshya Sabhas, and facilitating

income generation in these institutions.

Considering the unique challenges of development and

restructuring in the North at this time, and with the objective of

increasing democratic governance in the region, this programme

resulted in the following publications:

Model Bylaws for Pradeshya Sabhas

Accounting Procedures for Local Authorities

Meeting Procedures for Local Authorities

The Local Budget Process in Sri Lanka; analysis and

recommendations

Introductory Note: Recent Local Authority Amendments

Public Servants, Taxpayers and Pradehsya Sabhas

Citizen Budgets and Pradehsya Sabhas

The keynote speech was given by Dr. P.Saravanamuttu, Executive

Director of CPA where he stated that, Why do we, at Centre for

Policy Alternatives consider local Government and local

governance to be of fundamental importance is because of this

simply, it is that level of Government and governance that is

closest to the people. In that sense local Government and local

governance is the first experience that people have, of expressing

themselves as citizens in a functioning democracy.

Other speakers were in this event are Mr. Saravanabava, Former

Municipal Councilor, Jaffna, Mr. N.A.Dharmasiri, Former Deputy

Commissioner of Department of Local Government (Western

Province),Sriyanie Wijesundara, Head, Governance programme of

CPA and Prof. Sivachndran, Former deen of Faculty of Arts,University of Jaffna.

The Governance & Anti-Corruption programme commenced in July

2007, the unit focuses on Governance issues. Other important

areas of concern are procurement, Right to Information and

accountability. More information on the unithere.

Access Flickr sitehere.

Governance and Anti-CorruptionProgramme

Local Government andlocal governance is thefirst experience that

people have, ofexpressing themselves ascitizens in a functioningdemocracy
http://www.cpalanka.org/governance/http://www.cpalanka.org/governance/http://www.cpalanka.org/governance/http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157632290423445/http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157632290423445/http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157632290423445/http://www.cpalanka.org/governance/


5/8


Media CoverageOn web and mainstream media

Tamils Dominate Vote in Sri Lanka Province, The New York Times, Published 22 September 2013

The Centre for Policy Alternatives said a survey found that 34 percent of respondents believe that the TNA

will win in the election while 21.7 percent feel the government will prevail.

Sri Lanka's Tamil heartland to vote Saturday, Zee Media Corporation Ltd, Published 20 September 2013

Recent reports from organizations on the ground including the Centre for Monitoring Elections Violence

(CMEV) and Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) have reported several incidents of army intelligence and

police intimidating the TNA candidates/supporters.

Canadian Tamil Congress calls for free and fair Northern Provincial elections in Sri Lanka, Lankasri News,

09 September 2013

Northern Provincial Council Election 2013: Mullaitivu District Situation Report By CMEV,Global Support

Group, 20 September 2013

Foreign Election observers left for North, Minstry of Defence and Urban Development, 17 September 2013

Disarming the juggernaut of religious intolerance, Ceylon Today, 07 October 2013

Northern Province Election Violence: CMEV Update, Colombo Telegraph, 16 September 2013

Sri Lanka Still Far From Experiencing Peace, Eurasia review, 12 September 2013

Centre for Policy Alternatives: Law on defaming religions violates constitution and will lead to more

extremism, The Republic Square, 21 August 2013

PublicationsAugust- September 2013 Edition ofSaama Vimarshee

(Sinhala),Samathana Noakku(Tamil) and Peace Monitor

(English) was released by the Outreach Unit of CPA.

The publications revolve around the theme of challenges

faced by the 13th Amendment especially in the context of the

Northern Provincial Council Elections.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/world/asia/tamils-dominate-vote-in-sri-lanka-province.html?_r=1&http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/world/asia/tamils-dominate-vote-in-sri-lanka-province.html?_r=1&http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/sri-lanka-s-tamil-heartland-to-vote-saturday_877965.htmlhttp://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/sri-lanka-s-tamil-heartland-to-vote-saturday_877965.htmlhttp://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?223P366c203TnIYc4e2gXXlGacbei1AEbddegVPCB0bcd6gSW0e4d7IsB33034v83m43http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?223P366c203TnIYc4e2gXXlGacbei1AEbddegVPCB0bcd6gSW0e4d7IsB33034v83m43http://www.globalpeacesupport.com/2013/09/northern-provincial-council-election-2013-mullaitivu-district-situation-report-by-cmev/http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Foreign_Election_observers_left_for_North_20130917_04http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Foreign_Election_observers_left_for_North_20130917_04http://www.ceylontoday.lk/59-42601-news-detail-disarming-the-juggernaut-of-religious-intolerance.htmlhttp://www.ceylontoday.lk/59-42601-news-detail-disarming-the-juggernaut-of-religious-intolerance.htmlhttps://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/northern-province-election-violence-cmev-update/https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/northern-province-election-violence-cmev-update/http://www.eurasiareview.com/12092013-sri-lanka-still-far-from-experiencing-peace/http://www.eurasiareview.com/12092013-sri-lanka-still-far-from-experiencing-peace/http://www.therepublicsquare.com/politics/2013/08/21/centre-for-policy-alternatives-law-on-defaming-religions-violates-constitution-and-will-lead-to-more-extremism/http://www.therepublicsquare.com/politics/2013/08/21/centre-for-policy-alternatives-law-on-defaming-religions-violates-constitution-and-will-lead-to-more-extremism/http://www.therepublicsquare.com/politics/2013/08/21/centre-for-policy-alternatives-law-on-defaming-religions-violates-constitution-and-will-lead-to-more-extremism/http://www.therepublicsquare.com/politics/2013/08/21/centre-for-policy-alternatives-law-on-defaming-religions-violates-constitution-and-will-lead-to-more-extremism/http://www.therepublicsquare.com/politics/2013/08/21/centre-for-policy-alternatives-law-on-defaming-religions-violates-constitution-and-will-lead-to-more-extremism/http://www.cpalanka.org/saama-vimarshee-2nd-edition-2013-august-september/http://www.cpalanka.org/saama-vimarshee-2nd-edition-2013-august-september/http://www.cpalanka.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Samathana-Noakku-August_Sept-2013_Web-copy.pdfhttp://www.cpalanka.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Samathana-Noakku-August_Sept-2013_Web-copy.pdfhttp://www.cpalanka.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Samathana-Noakku-August_Sept-2013_Web-copy.pdfhttp://www.cpalanka.org/peace-monitor-volume-10-issue-2-september-2013/http://www.cpalanka.org/peace-monitor-volume-10-issue-2-september-2013/http://www.cpalanka.org/peace-monitor-volume-10-issue-2-september-2013/http://www.cpalanka.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Samathana-Noakku-August_Sept-2013_Web-copy.pdfhttp://www.cpalanka.org/saama-vimarshee-2nd-edition-2013-august-september/http://www.therepublicsquare.com/politics/2013/08/21/centre-for-policy-alternatives-law-on-defaming-religions-violates-constitution-and-will-lead-to-more-extremism/http://www.therepublicsquare.com/politics/2013/08/21/centre-for-policy-alternatives-law-on-defaming-religions-violates-constitution-and-will-lead-to-more-extremism/http://www.eurasiareview.com/12092013-sri-lanka-still-far-from-experiencing-peace/https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/northern-province-election-violence-cmev-update/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/59-42601-news-detail-disarming-the-juggernaut-of-religious-intolerance.htmlhttp://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Foreign_Election_observers_left_for_North_20130917_04http://www.globalpeacesupport.com/2013/09/northern-provincial-council-election-2013-mullaitivu-district-situation-report-by-cmev/http://www.lankasrinews.com/view.php?223P366c203TnIYc4e2gXXlGacbei1AEbddegVPCB0bcd6gSW0e4d7IsB33034v83m43http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/sri-lanka-s-tamil-heartland-to-vote-saturday_877965.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/world/asia/tamils-dominate-vote-in-sri-lanka-province.html?_r=1&


6/8


A briefing on the island wide democracy survey which was

conducted for the second time by Social Indicator (SI) was held

on the 14th of August 2013 where the field workers were given

instructions with regard to the content of the questionnaire as

well as what was required of them which also included the

manner in which interviews should be conducted at the field etc.The survey included 1990 respondents from all the districts.

Amongst the many aspects covered in the questionnaire was

the economic situation that prevails in the country during the

post war period, important issues the community experiences,

the status of democracy in the country, the freedom of media

and religion, views on the impeachment of the chief justice and

views on foreign aid to the country.

SI field staff conducted the survey for a period of approximately

a month starting mid-August and fieldwork for the democracy

survey is ongoing through September. SI will be releasing thereport in November.

Social Indicator is the survey research arm of CPA. Socio-

economic and political issues constitute the predominant focus

of its research.

More information on survey research conducted by the unit visit

here

Social Indicator

Legal & Constitutional UnitCA (Writ) 135/2012 concluded in the month of September 2013

Abdul Majeed Abdul Fareed Vs. Chandraprapalini Krishnagopal and other CA (Writ) 135/2012

In May 2012 the Centre for Policy Alternatives supported four farmers in Thambalagamam area in theTrincomalee District to file a writ application in the Court of Appeal challenging the construction of the

outer circular road which is being constructed by the military, Urban Development Authority and a private

constructor. This construction would potentially obstruct the farmers who engage in paddy cultivation,

which is their sole source of income. The road if completed will dispossess the farmers of their private

land and their livelihood.

This case was concluded in the month of September 2013, the Deputy Solicitor General who appeared on

behalf of the Respondents in the case informed court that the Respondents will take steps to construct the

highway only after taking steps to acquire the relevant portion of the land, in accordance with the relevant

laws and to provide compensation for the effected farmers.

The Legal and Constitutional Unit leads CPAs programming on issues of Constitutional Reform, Law

Reform, Electoral Reform and Human Ri hts.
http://www.cpalanka.org/survey-research/http://www.cpalanka.org/survey-research/http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikalpasl/sets/72157632399371814/http://www.cpalanka.org/survey-research/


7/8

On 23 September the Executive Director of the Centre

for Policy Alternatives, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu,

was invited by the White House to participate in a

meeting, hosted by President Barack Obama.

The meeting took place in New York with heads of state

and leaders of civil society, multilateral organizations,

and the philanthropic community to discuss growing

restrictions being placed on civil society organizations

(CSOs) worldwide

.

We have citizens who are leading the charge to

expand opportunity, to correct injustices, to shape their

countries future. And its my belief that strong nations

recognize the values of active citizens. They support

and empower their citizens rather than stand in their

way, even when its inconvenient said President

Barack Obama in his opening speech.

Unfortunately, though, what were also seeing is a

growing number of countries that are passing laws

designed specifically to stifle civil society. Theyre

forcing groups to register with governments, eroding

human rights protections, and restricting NGOs from

accessing foreign funding, cracking down on

communications technologies that connect civil society

groups around the globe. In more extreme cases,

activists and journalists have been arrested on false

charges, and some have been killed he further stated.

CPA invited to participate inPresident Obama's Civil Society

RoundtableThe event marks the beginning of an

intensive year-long effort to put a spotlight

on the critical role civil society plays and to

develop strategies to protect and defend

those who seek to have a voice in their

societies.

The meeting took place on 23 September

in New York, and a description of it can be

readhere.

An hour long recording of the meeting,

including President Obama's opening

remarks, can be viewedhere.

Access the transcript of speechhere.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/09/21/stand-civil-society-president-obama-host-forum-un-general-assemblyhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/09/21/stand-civil-society-president-obama-host-forum-un-general-assemblyhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/09/21/stand-civil-society-president-obama-host-forum-un-general-assemblyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA1WvZLgOZk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ&noredirect=1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA1WvZLgOZk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ&noredirect=1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA1WvZLgOZk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ&noredirect=1http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/23/remarks-president-obama-civil-society-roundtablehttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/23/remarks-president-obama-civil-society-roundtablehttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/23/remarks-president-obama-civil-society-roundtablehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA1WvZLgOZk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ&noredirect=1http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/09/21/stand-civil-society-president-obama-host-forum-un-general-assembly


8/8


Legal & Constitutional Unit

Tel: +94 11-2565304-6

E-mail:[email protected]

Media Unit

Tel: +94 11 2375239


Contact

Centre for Policy Alternatives (Guarantee) Ltd. (CPA)

24/2, 28th Lane

Off Flower Road

Colombo 7, Sri Lanka

Tel: +94 11 2565304-6, 5552746, 5552748

Email:[email protected]

Social Indicator

Tel: +94 11 2370472/4 Ext 14


Governance & Anti-Corruption Programme

Tel: +94-11-2564404


Outreach Unit

Tel: +94 11 5540146, 5540141


Conflict and Peace Analysis Unit

Tel: +94-11-2565304-6

Affiliated Websites:

Official Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CPASL

Follow @CPASL on twitter:https://twitter.com/CPASL

The Centre for Policy Alternatives was formed in the firm belief that there is an urgent need tostrengthen institution and capacity-building for good governance and conflict transformation in Sri

Lanka and that non-partisan civil society groups have an important and constructive contribution to

make to this process.

If you are not already subscribed to the CPA Newsletter, subscribe on the CPA website

to keep up with the latest updates from the Centre for Policy Alternatives.
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cpa newsletter - october 2013

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