CPA Comms Officer on 23 May, 2022

Confidence in Democratic Governance Index (Wave 2): Report

This survey report is the second wave of the Confidence in Democratic Governance Index, a scientific opinion poll that assessed public experiences as a result of the crisis, the causes for it, as well as the solutions to it from the lenses of the Sri Lankan public. As such, this study not only enhances ongoing political debate, but also provides data-driven research to policy makers, academics and various local and international stakeholders. This in turn supports a better understanding of the different dynamics prevalent among various social groups in society, which could help advocate for more sustainable policy interventions. The research study was conducted by Social Indicator (SI) the survey research arm of the Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Read the full report in English here.

Read the executive summary of the report in Sinhala here.

Read the executive summary of the report in Tamil here.

 

CPA Comms Officer on 15 May, 2022

CPA Statement in Regard to the Appointment of Ranil Wickremasinghe as the PM

Notwithstanding the serious criticisms of the Prime Minister pertaining to political credibility, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) hopes that he will be able to stem the country’s descent into the direst economic circumstances, the Governor of the Central Bank recently warned of, attract the crucial bridging funds we so badly require and negotiate an agreement with the IMF.

Read the full statement in English here.

Read the full statement in Sinhala here.

Read the full statement in Tamil here.

CPA Comms Officer on 10 May, 2022

Basic Communications Technology for Citizen Activists

The “Basic Communications Technology for Citizen Activists” is a tri Lingual publication of the CPA in 2016, using simple language to introduce grassroots citizen activists to the most popular e-communications and new media platforms including G- Mail, YouTube, and Facebook among others.
In the modern era of impact-making social media activism, this simplified manual aims to educate emerging citizen activists on using the internet and social media to effectively and efficiently organize their communications and networking strategies.
The manual helps readers understand the basics of electronic communication and modern communication technologies and introduces readers to Gmail, Facebook, Whatsapp, and Viber and an online Unicode converter called Real-Time, which will help activists break language barriers in their online communications. Staying safe in cyberspace is given priority at every step of this
basic guide.
The manual also introduces readers to interacting with www.citizenslanka.org; innovative trilingual information and networking website available to citizen activists in Sri Lanka.

Read in English here.

Read in Sinhala here.

Read in Tamil here.

CPA Comms Officer on 7 May, 2022

Dr. Asanga Welikala on Advocata Conversations: FULL DISCUSSION | Ep.02 | Murtaza Jafferjee

CPA Research Fellow Asanga Welikala’s Advocata Conversation with Murtaza Jafferjee on the Sri Lankan Constitution. Issues discussed in this wide-ranging interview include the need for constitutional reform in addressing the current economic crisis, why the abolition of executive presidentialism is imperative for democratisation and the avoidance of future crises, and the design features of the Opposition’s Twenty First Amendment Bill.

Dr Asanga Welikala is a Research Fellow of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). He has been associated in various capacities with CPA for over 22 years. Asanga is a Senior Lecturer and the Head of Public Law, and the Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Constitutional Law, at the School of Law, University of Edinburgh.

CPA Comms Officer on 7 May, 2022

CPA statement in regard to State of Emergency imposed by the President on the 6th of May 2022

7th May 2022, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned by the President’s decision to declare a State of Emergency under section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (PSO) with effect on the 6th of May 2022 as per Gazette Extraordinary No. 2278/22. This is the second time the President has declared a State of Emergency in the span of five weeks, with no credible justification provided, in a context when Sri Lanka has witnessed weeks-long peaceful protests across the island. Despite the peaceful citizen mobilisation, CPA is alarmed by the violent and intimidatory tactics used by authorities, with the declaration of state of emergency being the latest move to crush dissent and other democratic rights.

Read the statement in English here.

CPA Comms Officer on 6 May, 2022

‘If Rajapaksas Don’t Go, There Could Be Violence in Lanka; Country Is Bankrupt; Poverty Over 50%’ (Video)

In a 30-minute interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Dr Saravanamuttu first speaks about the protests and the way they have united Sri Lanka’s buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Although they are not as widespread in the north and east of the island, where the Tamils live, there are protests there as well. Dr Saravanamuttu explains why the intensity in the north and east is less.