Editorial

Editorial

Latest news from and about the homeland

The aftermath of former Sri Lankan president’s Ranil Wickremesinghe disastrous Al Jazeera interview continued to reverberate across the island this week, after Colombo announced the tabling of the Batalanda Commission Report in Parliament. For decades, the report, which details the use of torture chambers and extrajudicial killings, has remained buried in political inertia. Successive…

No more evasion

This week has made one thing abundantly clear: Sri Lanka will never voluntarily deliver justice. Whether in Geneva or on an international news broadcast, its leaders lie, deflect, and evade.

Sri Lanka’s Budget: Funding occupation

This budget signals an unsettling continuation of the Sri Lankan state’s militarised grip over their lands and lives.

This land belongs to us

This week, Tamils took to streets to send the Sri Lankan state a message – just as they did in the 1950s.

Still not our independence

Familiar scenes played out across the island last week as Sri Lanka marked 77 years since the end of British rule. In the Sinhala south, lion flags were hoisted with pride and Colombo’s streets saw yet another military parade. But in the Tamil North-East, a starkly different picture was evident once more. Black flags were raised, protests were held, and the enduring sense of alienation that Tamils have long felt on this so-called "Independence Day" was once again laid bare.

All roads run through Tamil Eelam

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India saw him receive the grandest of receptions, in a sign that New Delhi is firmly pressing ahead with its plans to increase its footprint on the island.

Time to step up

For too long, the United Kingdom has pursued a flawed and outdated policy on Sri Lanka. It has left Britain lagging behind its international allies, some of whom imposed targeted sanctions years ago. The UK must not just catch up. If it seeks to maintain its influence on the island and the region as a whole, it must go further and lead.

Standing strong

Illustration by Keera Ratnam / @wavesofcolour

No more excuses

Illustration by Keera Ratnam wavesofcolour