October 2013

Outreach Unit
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 to work 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 Civil rights 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.

Above: Participants at the Badulla mobile camp for processing identification documentation. Below: Improvements to bilingual public signage, Ulla.

The Centre for Monitoring Election 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 districts of 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 in addition 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 our CMEV WordPress site 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; one leading up to the Elections and the other on Election 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 on Flickr. All blog, audio, images, map and mainstream media updates were posted on the CMEV Facebook and Twitter, 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 platforms used 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

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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 page here. Featured speakers included 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 largest advertisers. The threat 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 the government 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 page here. A video recording of the full event can be seen here.

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Governance and Anti-Corruption Programme

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.

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 unit here . Access Flickr site here.

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Publications
August- September 2013 Edition of Saama 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.

Media Coverage
On 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

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Legal & Constitutional Unit

CA (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 the Trincomalee 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 Rights.

Social Indicator
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 the report in November. 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 Access Flickr site here Page 6 Centre for Policy Alternatives: October 2013: http://www.cpalanka.org

CPA invited to participate in President Obama's Civil Society Roundtable

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 The 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 read here. An hour long recording of the meeting, including President Obama's opening remarks, can be viewed here. Access the transcript of speech here.

. 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.

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

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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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