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Outreach Unit
Language Audits
In October the Outreach Unit progressed its language audit of project locations in the North (Jaffna, Mannar and Vavunia). Data was systematically collected by filling questionnaires following interviews with a number of government officials. The objective of the language audit is to get a sense of the overall extent to which Official Language Policy is implemented in these areas. Challenges encountered were also studied and the best ways to overcome these obstacles were examined. State sector interviewees for example, demonstrated hesitancy in answering questions due to a lack of understanding, which was then solved through more comprehensive explanations by trainers. Outreach unit work in Vavuniya
CMEV related media links can be accessed via Militarisation clearly undermined the electoral process, says Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu Polls Monitors Call For Recognition Ada Derana
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Media Unit
The Internet Media Association (IMA) is a new media collective of which CPA is a founding and constituent member that aims to look specifically at threats to media and citizen generated content online. On 15 October 2013, a seminar on Freedom of Expression (FOE) and Internet Freedom was held at the National Library and Documentation Services Board, No: 14, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7. The aim of this seminar was to look at FOE and recent examples of it on social and other online media. It also included looking at proposed measures by the Government to clamp down on 'news' websites, the possibility of self-regulation, ethics, the limits if any of FOE online, recourse that aggrieved parties can take under existing law etc. Moderated by Anoma Rajakaruna, the panel discussion consisted of four members, namely, Abdul Halik Azeez, Tehani Ariyaratne, Dinidu de Alwis and Sunil Jayasekaram. Along with the FOE seminar, the IMA website was also launched on this day. This website was created in order to systematically capture, in all three languages, reports of censorship, the impact of statements and laws by government, as well as act as a hub for crowd sourced responses to blocks of particular sites. Additionally it also seeks to provide material and resources on Internet security - a form of clearinghouse and hub for FOE online. The Media Unit in CPA was constituted to inform and shape the practice and culture of governance in Sri Lanka through strengthening professional media as well as through innovations in new and digital media, including mobile telephony. More photos of the event can be accessed here.
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Staff members of Lunugala Pradeshiya Sabha involved in making of the two year action plan
Participation
On 18 October, Sriyanie Wijesundara, Coordinator of the Governance Programme at CPA attended the opening ceremony of new office premise of the Walikamam West Pradeshiya Sabha in Jaffna. The programme is in the process of implementing activities to promote peoples participation in this particular P.S. Ms Wijesundara was invited by the Chairman of the council. 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 Governance & Anti-Corruption Programme can be found here. Access Flickr site here.
Sriyanie wijesundara, Co-ordinator, Governance Programme of CPA is attending the opennning ceremony of Walikamam West Pradeshiya Sabha
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Publications
Final Report on Election Related Violence: Provincial Council Elections 2013, Northern Province released 23 October. Full report can be accessed here. Issues 7 and 8 of the Vibasha newsletters produced by the Outreach Unit of CPA were published on 9 and 10 October respectively. They can be accessed here.
Media Coverage
On web and mainstream media
Sri Lanka's economic boom fails to erase painful civil war memories, The Guardian, 08 October 2013
Guest Post: Media Repression and Tamils in Sri Lanka, The Agenda, 11 October 2013
Sri Lanka's media struggles to cope with death threats and harassment, The Telegraph, 18 October 2013
CMEV releases election monitoring report, Eye Sri Lanka, 24 October 2013 Its Indias internal matter: Sri Lanka, The Hindu, 25 October 2013 Leading policy expert will discuss at York U event on whats next for Sri Lanka , York Media Relations, 25 October 2013
Sara Refuse To Participate In De Facto CJ Appointment FR Case Because Bench Fixed By Respondent Mohan Pieris, Colombo Telegraph, 31 October 2013
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CPA contended that clause 5 and 6 of the Bill were inconsistent with the provisions of Articles 3, 4, 148 Centre for Policy Alternatives: November 2013: http://www.cpalanka.org and 150 of the Constitution and that clause 2(1) (b) and 7 of the Bill were inconsistent with Articles 3, 4
In these circumstances CPA submitted that the said clauses cannot be enacted into law unless if approved by the People at a Referendum in addition to a two-thirds vote of the whole number of the members of Parliament in favour as required by Article 83(a) of the Constitution. The matter was taken up in the Supreme Court on 4 November 2013. Written Submissions to be filed th on 7 November 2013. Access the petition here. The Legal and Constitutional Unit leads CPAs programming on issues of Constitutional Reform, Law Reform, Electoral Reform and Human Rights.
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Social Indicator
In 2011, Social Indicator conducted the first Democracy in Post War Sri Lanka survey, which sought to record public perspectives on democracy in Sri Lanka today what it means to people, how they participate in it, their perceptions of and confidence in governance frameworks and key institutions. Fieldwork for the second wave of the survey was conducted in August and September 2013 and interviewed 2045 respondents from the 25 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. Additions to the 2011 questionnaire included questions on tolerance, national identity, politics and religion, international relations. The report will be released in November 2013. Social Indicator is the survey research arm of CPA. Socioeconomic and political issues constitute the predominant focus of its research. More information on survey research conducted by the unit visit here
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: info@cpalanka.org Legal & Constitutional Unit Tel: +94 11-2565304-6 E-mail: legal@cpalanka.org Media Unit Tel: +94 11 2375239 E-mail: sanjanah@cpalanka.org Social Indicator Tel: +94 11 2370472/4 Ext 14 E-mail: iromi@cpasocialindicator.org Governance & Anti-Corruption Programme Tel: +94-11-2564404 E-mail: sriyanie@cpalanka.org Outreach Unit Tel: +94 11 5540146, 5540141 E-mail: lionel@cpalanka.org Conflict and Peace Analysis Unit Tel: +94-11-2565304-6
Affiliated Websites:
The Centre for Policy Alternatives was formed in the firm belief that there is an urgent need to strengthen 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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