Friday Forum

Image:A participant at the public rally held on 15 Aug 2017 in Colombo to pressure government to implement its promises holing a booklet on ” Lets Support for a new constitution needed.”  (Friday Forum) This Government has been in office for two years, and its agenda seems increasingly disconnected from the hopes and expectations of those […]

Issuing a statement Friday Forum has questioned the delay in investigations and taking legal action on prominent cases like murder of the young rugby player Thajudeen, the murder and the disappearance of several journalists and some politicians, criminal abuse of power to amass enormous wealth with no credible source of income or legal transfer of […]

Sri Lanka has recently embarked on the difficult process of coming to terms with three decades of a deeply divisive war that has affected hundreds of thousands of lives. Processes are being established by the Sri Lankan state to establish truth, accountability, justice and reparations in relation to its armed conflict(s) and prevent recurrence. Inevitably, […]

( Vanni, the war zone April 2009) The resolution co-sponsored by our government at the United Nations Human Rights Council is a mutual agreement entered into by Sri Lanka, as a sovereign member state of the UN, which recognises our responsibility to embark on a process of reconciliation among communities that will foster peace and […]

One year after the democratic changes our country witnessed, which also rekindled efforts towards reconciliation, the Friday Forum welcomes the process initiated on 9 January 2016 on constitutional reform, a response to critical political problems. While discussions on a political solution have focused on devolution and power sharing with the provinces, our statement puts forward […]

The Friday Forum has, in recent statements, stressed factors and issues we consider important, when voting at an election, which is of critical importance for our country’s future. We note the comparatively violence and intimidation free manner in which campaigns have been conducted this time. We need to recognise that this is largely due to […]

There have been some recent critical comments in public fora on delays in the government’s response to issues of concern raised at the Presidential elections of 8th January 2015. The Friday Forum appreciates the difficulties faced by the government in implementing within a short period of 100 days, the ambitious programme of work promised in […]

The Friday Forum commends the efforts of the Government to implement the 100 day program as promised in President Sirisena’s election manifesto. However it is also concerned that focusing largely on accomplishing this within the short time frame may risk overriding other aspects like democratic and consultative processes and stakeholder interests. To present key Bills […]

[arrested Suspects of 1971 youth uprising] Friday Forum- The presidential election of 8 January saw a resurgence of the democratic process in Sri Lanka, driven by an electorate which, in unprecedented numbers, exercised its franchise to choose not merely a President, but the future it wanted for the country. The election showed us that Sri […]

The Law and Order Crisis Few would deny that the law and order situation in our country is in crisis. Remedial measures are urgently needed. The welcome Seventeenth Amendment to the 1978 constitution was adopted unanimously by Members of Parliament present. It brought forth a set of changes to restrain the President of the Republic […]

By Friday Forum- A UN investigation into allegations of violations of human rights in Sri Lanka is about to commence. As an aid to public discussion, Friday Forum sets out below information to help the general public understand the legal basis, origin, nature and scope of this inquiry Frequently Asked Questions on the UN Human […]

Deaths in Police Custody Media Release/ 24th June 2014           The Friday Forum has urged the Inspector General of Police to respond as a matter of urgency to the current public concern, including that of the Bar Council, on the deaths that are taking place in police custody. A particularly shocking recent incident involves the death of a 17year old minor after assault in police custody. The […]

extensive damage to houses and shops Strong and concerted action the urgent need The Friday Forum is appalled at the violence in Aluthgama, Beruwala and other areas over the period June 14-16. Three deaths, an estimated 80 injured and extensive damage to houses and shops have been reported in the international and private media creating […]

Education: One of the most important issue  ”The integrity and commitment of Chief Minister Wigneswaran to work for the good of the people of the Northern Province, and indeed all of us in Sri Lanka, as well as his commitment to work towards post-war reconstruction and reconciliation in a united Sri Lanka that respects diversity […]

In several previous statements the Friday Forum expressed its deep concern about, and its opposition to, the manner in which Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was impeached. The entire episode deeply offends all sense of decency and fairplay; it has also earned the opprobrium of responsible international bodies. Citizens no longer can rely on fundamental principles […]

By Jayantha Dhanapala and Manouri Muttetuwegama on behalf of Friday Forum, the Group of Concerned Citizens Over the last two years, the Friday Forum has been engaged with the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) by making submissions to it, commenting on its progress, following up on its interim recommendations and welcoming and making our […]

Daily Mirror Cartoon The independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka has seen consistent erosion for decades. The unprecedented public statement by the Judicial Service Commission of Sri Lanka (JSC) complaining of intrusions into its functioning is yet another example of the incremental assault on democracy and judicial independence in this country. The public protests […]