Crosscurrents Sri Lanka Podcast: Recent Episodes
Crosscurrents
Sri Lanka, a nation of diverse people, dreamed big of developing into a prosperous nation when it gained independence from the British in 1948. But 74 years later, it is a country divided along ethnic and religious lines, thanks to divisive politics promoted by successive governments. In 2022, Sri Lanka's economy is in shambles. In conversation with various stakeholders, Crosscurrents examines the causes for the crisis and seeks solutions to rebuilding the nation. We invite you to join us on that journey. Listen in, send us your feedback. Crosscurrents is brought to you by a group of Sri Lankan journalists domiciled overseas.
In Sri Lanka the government is cracking down on protestors. The Police have gone after the leaders of the aragalaya or the struggle as well as leading trade unionists, civil society activists and others who waged a successful mostly peaceful campaign that ended with the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. But his anointed successor Ranil Wickremesinghe seems intolerant of the dissenters and a widespread hunting down of them is rocking the country.
With me to talk about the current situation and probably what the country may be headed towards is Professor Arjuna Parakrama, head of the Faculty of English at the University of Peradeniya. His academic work includes the study of subaltern or disadvantaged groups in Sri Lanka and the use of English. In addition Prof Parakrama has been active in election monitoring and is a keen observer of Sri Lankan politics for many decades. He is also a human rights advocate.
Sri Lanka’s political and economic crisis drags on, and the island’s citizens are bracing to face even more hardships as the prices of essentials, food, fuel and medicines continue to rise. Shortages are everywhere and a weary population face a struggle getting the basic necessities of life.
The economic hardships are compounded by a political crisis centred around President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government. The cry is GotaGoHome but he has dug his heels in and vowed not to leave.
Arjuna Ranawana talks to Lawyer Suren Fernando.
Suren is a constitutional expert and involved in helming further democratization of Sri Lanka’s basic law. He is a graduate of Colombo University as well as the Law College and holds a master’s degree from the University of London.
Damning report on enforced disappearances during the late 1980s and 1990s
In the bloodied history of Sri Lanka, the period 1988 to 1990 was exceptionally brutal. While the Indian Peacekeepers fought the LTTE in the North and East the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna led rebellion in the South was marked by horrendous acts of violence perpetrated by both the rebels and the security forces.
A new report released on May 17 is focusing on what happened in the central district of Matale where more than a thousand people are believed to have been victims of enforced disappearances. The report also zooms in on the role played by the Military Officer in charge of the district at the time, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the country’s current President. The report says more that seven hundred of them disappeared on then LT COL Rajapaksa’s watch.
Welcome to this special edition of Crosscurrentssrilanka in which we discuss the report which was researched and produced by Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka and the International Truth and Justice Project.
Sri Lanka's ongoing crisis is now headed towards either a resolution or a complete breakdown. Whichever direction it will take it means hard days for the island nation. There may be mass unemployment, further belt-tightening if that is even possible and inevitable political upheavals.
In this episode Arjuna Ranawana interviews Lawyer and Civil Society activist Sudarshana Gunewardene.
Sri Lanka is experiencing something it has never faced before. A protest movement, led by an amorphous group mostly young people calling for the ruling Rajapaksa family to leave office and to be held accountable for various allegations of corruption and other misdemeanors.
The cry is Gota Go Home, referring to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, outside whose office, the protest has lasted for more than a month.
Many wonder about how this began. How did it gather momentum and where is it headed?
For answers we turned to an expert who has been studying Social Media in Sri Lanka for a long time, Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa.
Social media plays an important role in various developments around the globe. In this episode, Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa joins Crosscurrents to discuss the role of social media in raising awareness and mobilising support for the peoples' uprising in Sri Lanka.
Guest : Dr.Sanjana Hattotuwa
Host : Rasika Perera
Sri Lanka is on the brink of either a historic political revolution where45 years of autocratic rule will end or a catastrophic break down of law and order that could have grave consequences.
The nation is angry. It has stomached months of deprivation of the very basics of life, food, fuel, electricity, and medicine. Even as doctors appeal for medical supplies, the head of the government information department releases a statement to the contrary. That is the hallmark of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government, contradictions.
At least seven people, mostly older men have died while standing in the queues to purchase cooking gas or fuel.
The people now roundly blame the government dominated by the Rajapaksa family for the mess. The rulers ignored warnings made by economists over a year ago that the country’s finances were on a downward path.
Sri Lanka on the brink of political revolution | EconomyNext
Sri Lankan Malcolm cardinal Ranjith the Archbishop of Colombo has met pope Francis at the Vatican and briefed the Holy Father about the situation in Sri Lanka where the authorities are yet to bring to book the perpetrators of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks on three Churches and three Hotels. While the Cardinal was in Rome, Sri Lankans under the umbrella of a global forum for Justice for the victims of Easter Sunday staged a prayer in St. Peter's square. The organizers who had come from around the world including several countries in Europe, Australia and Canada were disappointed that the Cardinal did not meet with the group. Cardinal Ranjith is due to speak to the United nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva on this Trip on this subject.
Host : Arjuna Ranawana
Civil society has played a prominent role in shaping Sri Lanka's politics. More so, in recent years. In this episode, Crosscurrents asked Nalinda Sanajeeva Liyanage, a Poet and social activist for his views.
He explains how Sri Lanka has reached this crisis stage and the role civil society activists can play in overcoming the situation.
Guest - Nalinda Sanjeeva Liyanage civil society activist from Sri Lanka
Host - Rasika Perera
The fifth podcast on Crosscurrentssrilanka continues to explore the present and future role Civil Society can play in resolving the current economic and political crisis in Sri Lanka. In this episode Arjuna Ranawana talks to Sudarshna Gunewardena, a lawyer and activist. He was prominent as an activist leading up to the appointment of the hybrid "Yahapalana" government and served as the Director General of Information and Chair of the Sri lanka Broadcasting Corporation.
Guest - Sudarshana Gunawardena Lawyer and Civil Society Activist
Host - Arjuna Ranawana
Civil society has played a prominent role in shaping Sri Lanka's politics. More so, in recent years. In this episode, Crosscurrents asked Senaka Wattegedara, a long-time social activist for his views.
He explains how Sri Lanka has reached this crisis stage and the role civil society activists can play in overcoming the situation.
Guest - Senaka Wattegedara civil society activist from Sri Lanka
Host - Rasika Perera
Civil society has played a prominent role in shaping Sri Lanka's politics. More so, in recent years. In this episode, Crosscurrents asked Ranjit Henayake Arachchi, a long-time social activist for his views.
He explains why civil society activists should not accept positions in governments they help bring to power.
The Sri Lankan Government declared an economics emergency last week. The immediate aftermath seems to have increase of price of essential food prices, with reports of shortage of essential items such as medicine, sugar, milk powder and kerosene. So, how did Sri Lankan ended up with the economics crisis? What exactly is ailing the Sri Lankan economy? is it a crisis that the Island nation could't over come?
Guest : Mr.Sunil Handunneththi - Member of National People's Power.
Host - Arjuna Ranawana former Journalist form Sri Lanka
Voice - Champa Fernando Former radio journalist from Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Government declared an economics emergency last week. The immediate aftermath seems to have increase of price of essential food prices, with reports of shortage of essential items such as medicine, sugar, milk powder and kerosene. So, how did Sri Lankan ended up with the economics crisis? What exactly is ailing the Sri Lankan economy? is it a crisis that the Island nation could't over come?
Guest : Dr. Harsha De Silva - Opposition MP of Sri Lankan Parliament.
Host - Arjuna Ranawana former Journalist form Sri Lanka
Voice - Champa Fernando Former radio journalist from Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Government declared an economics emergency last week. The immediate aftermath seems to have increase of price of essential food prices, with reports of shortage of essential items such as medicine, sugar, milk powder and kerosene. So, how did Sri Lankan ended up with the economics crisis? What exactly is ailing the Sri Lankan economy? is it a crisis that the Island nation could't over come?
Guests : Mr. Umesh Moramudali - Lecturer University of Colombo
Mr. Dhananatha Fernando - Chief Operation officer Advocata institute Colombo
Host - Arjuna Ranawana former Journalist form Sri Lanka
Voice - Champa Fernando Former radio journalist from Sri Lanka.