Centre for Policy Alternatives on 4 February, 2017

Behind the scenes: The making of luxury spaces in Colombo

In 2013 – 2014, at the height of evictions and involuntary relocations across the city by the then Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, the community at Station Passage was always mentioned by other affected communities as a case where the relocation process was a positive one. The residents were going to have their new apartments built on the side of their existing property itself and were happy with the plans and were in constant dialogue with the UDA.

However, by mid 2016 the relationship with the community and the UDA had soured and the community’s new apartments were nowhere near completion even though the luxury mall that was being constructed on their property was being built according to plan.

When we visited Station Passage in September 2016 we were astounded by the fact that the families who remained on the land were living with the piling and construction work right next to their houses. Their houses would shake all day and cracks were starting to appear. When we asked them why they did not leave like their neighbours did they very simply said that that was not what was agreed. It was a precarious way of living but the residents were determined not to move.

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Read the full, immersive coverage of this community and their experience of urban development here.

The Microsoft Sway based feature is also embedded below.

Centre for Policy Alternatives on 3 February, 2017

An elusive freedom: Looking at Independence Day 2017

February 4th 1948 should have ideally ushered in a change in social relations, a unique national identity and a new hope. Since then, Sri Lanka has seen so much and many cycles of violence have run their course; the question today is whether those ideals have been realised in the seven decades since we gained independence.

This year, during this celebration of our freedom from colonial rule as a country, it is vital we remember many communities across Sri Lanka that – due to shortcomings in governance, the rule of law, systemic discrimination, long-standing sociocultural prejudices and other issues hardcoded into the fabric of our country – remain marginalised. These issues remain hidden and are most often overlooked in the larger conversations around rights and reform processes post war.

Though each of these issues will require legal battles or a change in social attitudes, it is essential that they are addressed. There is no meaningful progress if many communities feel left behind as a country moves forward and upward for a few. As we mark yet another Independence Day, it is important to remember that there are those in this country who are still far from free.

We acknowledge that this feature doesn’t exhaustively capture all those searching for justice.

The content is embedded below – access it directly here.

Centre for Policy Alternatives on 2 February, 2017

Two Years In Government: A review of the pledges made in 2015 through the lens of constitutional reform, governance and transitional justice

The political transition of January 2015 promised ambitious reforms and raised expectations accordingly. Two years on, serious concerns have emerged with regard to the National Unity Government’s reform project.  Despite some successes, the current public perception is of a slow pace or even stagnation. This in turn has resulted in disillusionment and disappointment, with questions posed about the ability of the National Unity Government to govern effectively. These sentiments are justified in terms of promises made and the inability or unwillingness to manage expectations via a comprehensive communication strategy.

On the eve of celebrating Sri Lanka’s 69th Independence Day, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) launches a report exploring the pledges made in the areas of constitutional reform, governance and Transitional Justice and examines the progress made, challenges and setbacks. The areas reviewed are those in which proposed reform, if implemented in full, will significantly impact the identity of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans, the structure of the state, form of government and governance, reconciliation and the culture of impunity.

Download the full report in English here, in Tamil here and in Sinhala here.

 

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Centre for Policy Alternatives on 1 February, 2017

The Making of a World Class City: Displacement and Land Acquisition in Colombo

1 February 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka: CPA’s latest report ‘The Making of a World Class City: Displacement and Land Acquisition in Colombo’ explores the process of making Colombo a world class city, begun post-war under the Rajapaksa regime and its continuity under the yahapalanaya government.

The previous government’s Urban Regeneration Programme (URP), which is being continued by the present Government, aims to beautify the city and create a slum-free capital. This has, resulted in large scale eviction and relocation of the working class poor away from the city center. The rushed evictions under the previous regime paid scant regard to the rights of affected persons and to the practical impact of evictions on their lives including lack of access to services, loss of shared community, increase in physical and material vulnerability, disruption of education and loss or reduction in livelihood options.

The continued lack of transparency and accountability is an overriding concern. The difficulties of obtaining information and in the language of the person affected and misinformation in attempts to prejudice the rights and interest of the affected family, continue to be the main areas of dispute with the Urban Development Authority. On the substantive questions involved there is a clear lack of state policy that accounts for and seeks to serve the interests of those affected. The lack of such policies compound problems arising out of a state-centric understanding of eminent domain, an expanding ‘public purpose’ in state acquisitions of land and the entrenched vulnerabilities of affected persons.

This report also highlights the urgent need for the National Involuntary Resettlement Policy to be updated and enshrined in law. The need for national and provincial policy guidelines, criteria for participation, transparency, accountability, promotion of in-situ redevelopment and upgrading, elimination and minimising involuntary resettlement as well as adequate compensation prior to and during land acquisition and resettlement processes is evident when looking at the experience of communities forcible relocated.

Read the full report here. 

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A discussion anchored to the content of this report will be held today (1st February 2017) from 5.00 – 7.00pm at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, 24, Horton Place, Colombo 07.

All are welcome and entrance is free.

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Centre for Policy Alternatives on 27 January, 2017

Report launch and discussion on post war urban development in Colombo

27 January 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives is pleased to launch two reports on post-war urban development in Colombo.

The first report (available online) ‘Living it down: Life after relocation in Colombo’s high rises’ is based on findings of a survey conducted with 1,222 households in Colombo forcibly relocated by the Rajapaksa regime while the second report (to be released next week) looks at urban development under the yahapalanaya government and raises serious questions about continuity of relocations of communities to high-rise apartments, ongoing acquisition of land for development projects and concerns regarding rights, transparency and entitlements going forward.

A discussion anchored to the content of the the reports will be held on 1st February 2017 from 5.00 – 7.00pm at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies, 24, Horton Place, Colombo 07. An agenda with a list of speakers will be shared next week. 

All are welcome and entrance is free. 

The reports as well as copies of the Executive Summary in Sinhala and Tamil will be available at the venue.

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Centre for Policy Alternatives on 17 January, 2017

Press Release: Awareness Campaign – Strengthening women’s political representation at local level

January 17th, 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka: In order to ensure the most representative institutions and processes of our democracy, the participation of women in decision -making positions has to be considerably enhanced. This asymmetric situation has led to the introduction of the Quota System to ensure greater female representation in politics. In line with this global practice, Sri Lanka has given considerable attention to increasing the number of female representatives in the political process and has targeted the up-coming Local Government Election. Amendment No. 22/2012 (Mixed Member Representative System) and Amendment No. 01/2016 (25% Women’s Quota) to the Local Government Election Act of 1946, are significant in this respect. These two Amendments will greatly facilitate greater female representation.

However, public awareness with regard to what this entails is low. As such, the Local Governance Unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has conducted 39 District Discussions/Dialogues in 13 districts covering the Southern, Uva, Eastern and Northern Provinces of Sri Lanka, with considerable support from the District Secretaries and the Women Development Officers (WDOs) attached to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, in each of the respective districts. More than 2000 participants attended these discussions/dialogues.

Further, identifying the need to educate local women, CPA will be conducting an Awareness and a Signature Campaign covering the above mentioned four provinces, with effect from today – the 17th of January until the 03rd of February 2017, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils.

Expected Outcome: To increase the awareness of the General Public, especially of women, about the proposed Election System. Ending Cronyism – Supporting the courage, capacity and the willingness of local women to actively engage in politics and in local government authorities, in particular and to propagate a culture of governance.

Download this release in English, Sinhala & Tamil.