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.

CPA Comms Officer on 29 April, 2022

Confidence in Democratic Governance Index (2nd wave): Summary Findings and Overview

This report presents the latest findings of the Confidence in Democratic Governance Index (Wave 2)
conducted by Social Indicator (SI), the survey research arm of the Centre for Policy Alternatives. This
scientific opinion poll aims to capture a snapshot of public experiences under the current crisis situation.
Further, the poll also examines the causes for the crisis as well as the solutions to the crisis from the
lenses of the Sri Lankan public. Given the fragile political condition, this survey was conducted within a
very short period of time employing SI’s countrywide field network.

Read the summary and overview here.

Download Infographic here.

Download Infographic here. 

Download Infographic here.

Download Infographic here.

Download Infographic here.

Download Infographic here.

CPA Comms Officer on 26 April, 2022

Right to Information: Issues and Challenges of Policy and Implementation

December 2021, CPA released its publication titled Right to Information: Issues and Challenges of Policy and
Implementation which is an analysis of the recent use of the RTI Act by journalists. The publication
includes hitherto unpublished case studies of RTI being used as an effective tool to raise concerns on a
range of policy positions, and their implementation and highlights the paradox between policies in
theory and experiences in practice. Journalists have presented their personal opinions and views based
on their analysis of various social issues, some relating to a particular area or community.
The report also contains an summarized analysis of the public calls to CPA’s RTI 113-030-463 hotline
during 2021.
A long-standing struggle and sustained advocacy of various human rights actors has led to the landmark
decision to introduce the Right to Information (RTI) as an integral part of the Fundamental Rights
chapter of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution. This publication, supported by FNF, follows
from more than a decade of advocacy by CPA to promote the Right to Information in Sri Lanka and then
to support the effective use of this right by journalists and activists, in the public interest.
For more information on CPAs RTI Hotline pls click https://www.cpalanka.org/rti-help-desk-at-cpa-
information-and-posters/
CPAs other publications on RTI include
 Information about the Right to Information (Sinhala and Tamil language)
 The Right to Information and Media Practice https://www.cpalanka.org/cpa-outreach-
unit-publication-and-research-study-on-rti/ (E/S/T)
 Responsiveness of Public Authorities to Right to Information Applications submitted via
Email https://www.cpalanka.org/cpa-outreach-unit-publication-and-research-study-on-rti/
(E/S/T)

The titled Right to Information: Issues and Challenges of Policy and Implementation can be downloaded in English here.

Can be downloaded in Sinhala here.

Can be downloaded in Tamil here.