Page 1
NEWS
VOLUME
Electoral
January-Fe
Reform Debate
CPA organized a workshop on “The Electoral Refo Developments”, 17th January at SLFI. This was a part of a reform initiatives on the law, practice and institutions government and referenda in Sri Lanka. Key speakers at and Asanga Welikala, while the panel included Hon Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform, Jay P. Devaraj. This project is funded by Friedrich Naumann S
Appropriate By-laws -Staff Article
New
CPA’s p Vikalpa registe and inte Ground a millio w a s
PG 2 PG 3 PG 4
New Publications at CPA Papers written
CPA in the NEWS

oral form bate
n “The Electoral Reform Debate in Sri Lanka: Recent SLFI. This was a part of a project to document the issues and ractice and institutions relating to elections at all levels of i Lanka. Key speakers at the workshop were Rohan Edrisinha he panel included Hon. Dinesh Gunawardene MP, Chair, on Electoral Reform, Jayampathy Wickremeratne, PC, and P. by Friedrich Naumann Stiftung Fur Die Freiheit.
ns
CPA in the NEWS
January-February 2008
PG 4
NEWS
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1, 2008
New Media Towards Advocacy CPA’s path-breaking new media initiatives Groundviews, Vikalpa, Vikalpa Video and Voices of Reconciliation Radio registered significant growth in readership in Sri Lanka and internationally over the past couple of months. Groundviews got over 144,280 page views and close to a million hits in 2007. In December 2007 the site w a s awarded an Award of Excellence in New Communications from the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) based in Boston. “Groundviews exemplifies the mission of this awards program: the successful and innovative use of
A Glance at Programmes
PG 5 PG 6
...cont pg 5
Calandar of Events

Page 2
appropriate by- laws
In inches commuters like the example sardines transport is required of in the with the of strength to cattle country scant be left by regard of are between train the forced to humble or persona other indivi to By tr c
STAFF ARTIC
“Appropriate By-laws -a Pressing Need for Today”
The issue of the devolution of power in Sri Lanka has lately become far more controversial perhaps due to opportunist politics and personal agendas being given priority over national interests. In any form of devolution of power the importance of the network of Local Authorities cannot be undervalued. It is a major force to be reckoned with. At present there are more than 300 local bodies comprising Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas throughout the island.
One principal objective behind the setting up of Local Government institutions is admittedly to involve the people in the decision making process at least in the context of regional development. Overriding control exercised by the Local Government Ministry however means that it is actually doubtful in practice as to whether the local government institutions actually enjoy adequate independence in their affairs. The Provincial Councils too have become a decisive factor. Although the 13th Amendment to the Constitution requires all Provincial Councils to devolve as much power as practical to these local bodies, this is yet to happen.
The issue of by-laws is also worthy of discussion. These are regionally specific laws which Local Authorities have the power to formulate and should ideally be created with citizen involvement where possible. Regional By-laws tend to be a neglected aspect of local governance, often archaic and inappropriate to current developments in the country.
In a significant development following from a series of workshops on awareness raising,organised by CPA, 20 prominent local government institutions have undertaken the arduous task of
2
drafting fresh
O obsolete and dynamics of m To give just on books decade the current co a sum and re
By-Laws deal category of s authorized to draft legislat advise of the to the Minist ministers ap become laws parent legisla
A Local gover technicalities duties. In such is to be rend indeed benef

appropriate by- laws
f cattle by train or other conveyance a space of about 6 to be left between individual animals. Ironically, human e country are forced to travel in buses and trains packed th scant regard to personal hygiene. This could be an strength of the humble By- law!
STAFF ARTICLE-MANJULA GAJANAYAKE
edly to st in the cised by actually rnment r affairs. factor. uires all to these
ese are e power citizen to be a aic and
rkshops nt local task of
drafting fresh by-laws in spheres where crucial requirements for such have been
identified.
By definition, by-laws are enacted supplementary and never contradictory to the parent legislation which must remain intact without any alterations or addition. Wider powers have been delegated to Local Authorities under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution but most of the provision in the Municipal and Urban Council Ordnances and Pradeshiya Sabha Act have become obsolete and are in dire need of revision to suit the changing dynamics of modern times. To give just one example, certain serious offences listed in statute books decades ago still carry the same fine of Rs 500/= despite the current cost of living taking away all deterrent value of such a sum and rendering it absurd.
By-Laws dealt with by the Local Authorities come under the category of subsidiary /delegated legislation. Local bodies are authorized to formulate these by-Laws, but to become law the draft legislation prepared by the various local bodies on the advise of the Local Government Commissioner, will be referred to the Minister in Charge. Draft by-Laws gazzetted with the ministers approval will have to be passed by Parliament to become laws proper. By-Laws should always conform to the parent legislation since any deviation is not warranted.
A Local government body is not expected to get involved in the technicalities of by-Laws as it is always pre occupied with public duties. In such situations the unbiased consultancy and assistance is to be rendered by Non Governmental Organisations and is indeed beneficial.
2
cont pg 4

Page 3
Essays on Federalism in Sri Lanka brings together some of the research and conference papers, speeches, newspaper articles and opinion pieces written in support of the federal idea and federal type constitutional options for and in Sri Lanka in the recent past. The collection has the modest aim of serving as a convenient reference for arguments already made, but which are in need of reiteration. The table of contents is available for download here - http://www.cpalanka.org/publications/ Essays_on_Federalism_in_Sri_Lanka_Contents.pdf
New Titles from Governence and Anti Co (Sinhala and Tamil)
· “Let us Identify Oppose and Eradicate Corruption”(D.M. Dissanay
· “Increasing Public Awareness on Anti Corruption”(D.M. Dissanay
· One Day Training Module for Officer and Elected Representative Pradeshya Sabha Budget Transparency ( Jagath Liyanarachchi, A
· One Day Training Module for CBO leaders and Tax Payers on Inc
3
This month
This publication in the power-sh Sinhala and Tam on the Federal I June 2007. This in political scienc studies, as well a
LEXICON on
Ide
Federal Idea –

s month
s e d al or n nt ut
SAAMA VIMARSHI and SAMADANA NOKKU on the APRC and
df
the abrogation of the CFA
vernence and Anti Corruption Programme
(Sinhala and Tamil)
orruption”(D.M. Dissanayake, Attorney at Law) orruption”(D.M. Dissanayake and Jagath Liyanarachchi) d Elected Representatives of Local Government Authorities on Increasing ( Jagath Liyanarachchi, Attorney at Law) ers and Tax Payers on Increasing Pradeshya Sabha Budget Transparency
This publication consists of identified words and terms used in the power-sharing debate in Sri Lanka translated into Sinhala and Tamil. This was a consequence of the Workshop on the Federal Idea & Challenges in Translation, held in June 2007. This is a useful guide for students and lecturers in political science, law, international relations and conflict studies, as well as politicians, translators and linguists.
3
LEXICON on the Federal Idea
Federal Idea – A Glossary; English, Sinhala, Tamil

Page 4
“A Bloody, Decisive Year Ahead”by Dr P. Saravanamuttu Morning Leader Jan 2nd
Turning Back to 88; who is correct? by Sunanda Deshapriya Jan 20th Ravaya
The Begun- 30th Year Morning Dr of Saravanamuttu The Leader
Rat has
Jan
“Now that the CFA is Out of the Way...”Sanjana Hattotuwa and Sunanda Deshapriya - Daily Mirror, Jan- 9th
Ethos Questioning Nationalism Montage, or Demos? Feb - Tamil
A 2008
Welikala
GSP PLUS PRIVILEGES: The Need for Constitutional Amendment - R. Edrisinha and A Welikala Feb 17th Sunday Leader
stafstafstafstafstaff ar ar art ar ar Statements
& Press Releases Joint statement: Abroga- tion of Ceasefire Agree- ment Will Escalate Spiral of Violence
http://www.cpalanka.org/Statements/ Abrogation_of_Ceasefire_Agreement_Will_Escalate_Spiral_of_Violence.pdf Joint statement: Civil Soci- ety Solidarity with Interna- tional Humanitarian Organisations
http://www.cpalanka.org/Statements/ Civil_Society_Solidarity_with_International_Humanitarian_Organisations.pdf Please em
4
PRESS PRESSPRESSPRESS PRESSPRESS REVIEW REVIEWREVIEWREVIEW REVIEWREVIEW ...cont
According Alternative technical s much need
Local Gove Vice Chairm workshops endeavor .
Problems t scope. For affected by vehicles, w posed by it
It is the du support to and safety One Local the local bo a by-Law fo access to a Tamil and
Local gover to the peop and to give In conclusi necessary i
Manjula Ga to the Outre

ar
namuttu nd
r as uttu Jan
e
08 il
elikala
...cont
stafstafstafstafstaff ar ar articticticticticleslesleslesles ar ar f
i- -
Please email staff articles to chandrika@cpalanka.org
4
PRESS PRESSPRESSPRESS PRESSPRESS REVIEW REVIEWREVIEWREVIEW REVIEWREVIEW Accordingly, the Outreach Unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, has for a number of months been providing legal and technical support to 20 Local Authorities in the formulation of much needed By-Laws.
Local Government Commissioners, Secretaries, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen who participated in some of the Awareness Raising workshops held in the regions have committed support to this endeavor .
Problems that confront the local bodies vary in character and scope. For example Medirigirya Pradeshya Sabha is seriously affected by the lack of any regulation on parking of three wheel vehicles, whilst the Gampola Urban Council faces a grave threat posed by its stray dog populations.
It is the duty of both civil and voluntary organisations to extend support to such local bodies that are committed to public welfare and safety . One Local Government Commissioner commented that one of the local bodies in his area was facing difficulty in the drafting of a by-Law for the last ten years, caused somewhat by not having access to a sufficiently qualified legal translator, to present the Tamil and English versions of the document.
Local government bodies should, in theory, be easily accessible to the people to ensure their participation in community projects, and to give meaning to Local Government In conclusion effective updated by-laws are in fact absolutely necessary in the proper administration of local bodies.
Manjula Gajanayeka is Assistant Co ordinator to the Outreach Unit

Page 5
CaCaCaCaCapacity De pacity De pacity De pacity De pacity Development elopment elopment elopment elopment PrPrPrPrProgogogogogramme on amme on amme on amme on amme on GOODGOODGOODGOODGOOD GOGOGOGOGOVERNVERNVERNVERNVERNANCEANCEANCEANCEANCE
As part of the cross-national “International Social Survey Program (ISSP) Religion Study – 2008”, the Sri Lanka leg of the survey will evaluate the perceptions, attitudes, opinions on the religious beliefs and religiosity of Sri Lankans aged 18 and above who are resident in the Provinces other than the North and East. The ISSP series of cross national studies develop topical modules dealing with important areas of social science as supplements to regular national surveys in more than 20 countries.
-G&A program A GLANCE AT programmes
photos from G&ACPs Pottuvil Workshop, Jan 2008
Ta cit in re Ho PRADESHIYA SABHA BUDGET TRANSPARENCY
-G&AC TRIAMS
programme
Tsunami Satisfaction Beneficiary
Survey
us we go th -Social Indicator
of ht Th Vik fo ap a d W Ra th th in Sin ha Sin po 5 5
an

New Media -Cont
S
ction i Beneficiary
Survey
ial Indicator
new communications solutions and social media practices to enhance communications and relationships” commented Mike Manuel, SNCR Best Practices committee chairman. Groundviews is currently referenced on 62 other blogs globally and has a Technorati (http://www.technorati.com) rank of 119,246 out of the over 70 evelopment elopment elopment elopment
elopment million blogs Technorati indexes and ranks. Further, Groundviews GOODGOODGOODGOODGOOD
onme onme onme onme me on
is the only civil society and citizen journalism website in Sri Lanka to be directly indexed on Google News (http://news.google.com) ERNERNERNERNERNANCEANCEANCEANCEANCE
and ranked Number 1 on Google itself by keyword. Articles on the site are regularly republished in other local media, including media websites such as InfoLanka News, Tamil Canadian and
rvey Program (ISSP) y will evaluate the and religiosity of Sri inces other than the elop topical modules plements to regular
-G&AC programme
s from G&ACPs uvil Workshop,
Jan 2008
Tamilnet. “For ongoing analysis of the conflict, the citizen journalism site groundviews.org provides interesting and often tragic reporting” says the renowned press freedom organisation Freedom House of Groundviews on its blog (http:// PRADESHIYA SABHA ET TRANSPARENCY
blog.freedomhouse.org/weblog/ 2008/02/weekly-governan.htm). The videos on CPA’s Vikalpa YouTube Video Channel (http:// www.youtube.com/vikalpasl) -G&AC
have been viewed tens of thousands of times. Vikalpa Video programme
is the first and to date only example in Sri Lanka of civil society using short videos filmed using a mobile phone and distributed through the web on alternative perspectives on war, peace and governance. Some of these videos have highlighted the ground situation in the embattled North and East of Sri Lanka, for example this video on life in Jaffna http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwmjYWT0rRU. These videos complement original writing on the Vikalpa blog (http://www.vikalpa.org). The readership for Sinhala and Tamil citizen journalism is growing apace and the blog now registers over 200 pageviews a day, mostly from Sri Lanka. We were pleased to note that Voices of Reconciliation Radio (http://radio.voicesofpeace.lk) was chosen as the primary vehicle for the online dissemination of the Lifeline radio programmes on humanitarian information and work in Sri Lanka, produced in Sinhala and Tamil by INTERNEWS. The VOR Radio site has archives of over 400 hours of programming in Sinhala and Tamil, in the form of free downloadable podcasts, of content related to conflict transformation 5 5
and democratic governance.

Page 6
January January January January January M
Rohan Edrisinha spoke at the International Seminar on Human Rights in Conflict Situations organized by Centre for the Study of Human Rights, University of Colombo, in collaboration with the Justice of Peace Commission, India, the Human Rights Education Consortium International, New York and the Institute for Community Organization and Research, India. This was held at Hotel Renuka from the 11th to the 13th of January 2008. Ramaaya Salgado and Anita Nathan of the Legal Unit also attended this seminar.
Febrbrbrbrbruaryuaryuaryuaryuary
Pradeep Peiris, Head ,Social Indicator was invited by FNSt to atten the Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution Seminar held 1 -8 Feb 2008 in Gummersbach ,Germany. Participants attending fro various conflict zones around the world, shared their experiences conflict resolution and compared lessons and observations. Semin reports are available at the FNSt website.
CONTCONTCONTCONTCONTACT CT CT CT CT DET DET DETAILAILAILAILAILS DET DET Media Unit Tel 94-1-2375263
CentrCentrCentrCentrCentre fe fe fe fe for Por Por Por Por Policolicolicolicolicy Alternatives Alternatives Alternatives Alternatives Alternatives 24/2 24/2 24/2 24/2 24/2 28th 28th 28th 28th 28th Lane Lane Lane Lane Lane Governance and Anti Corruption Programme Tel 94-1-564404
6 OfOfOfOfOff F Flowlowlowlowlower F F F Rder Rder Rder Rder Rd Colombo Colombo Colombo Colombo Colombo 7 7 7 7 7 Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Lank Lank Lank Lanka Lank Tel el el el el 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 Fax Fax Fax Fax Fax 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 Compiled by Chandrika Gadiewasam- chand
Staff @ the Centre
S
C

MarMarMarMarMarch
y
6
17th -18th March, Sriyanie Wijesundara attended a workshop on the Right to Information conducted by the Public Affairs Centre, Bangalore. The objective of the workshop was to give a new impetus to right to information activities in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
nvited by FNSt to attend tion Seminar held 1st-8th icipants attending from red their experiences in d observations. Seminar
ONTONTONTONTONTACT CT CT CT CT DET DET DETAILAILAILAILAILS
DET DET Social Indicator ntrntrntrntrntre fe fe fe fe for Por Por Por Por Policolicolicolicolicy
Tel 94-1-2370474 Alternatives Alternatives Alternatives Alternatives Alternatives 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 4/2 28th 28th 28th 28th 28th Lane Lane
Lane Lane Lane Outreach Unit ff F Flowlowlowlowlower F F F Rder Rder Rder Rder Rd
Tel 94-1-2370801-4 Colombo Colombo Colombo Colombo Colombo 7 7 7 7 7 Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Lank Lank Lank Lanka
Lank Legal Unit 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 94-1-565304-6 Tel 94-1-2565304-Ext100 x x x x x 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 94-4-714460 ika Gadiewasam- chandrika@cpalanka.org
Staff @ the Centre
Mr.DM Dissanayake, Attorney at Law left after serving the G& AC Programme as a Legal Consultant for 1 1⁄2 years.
Mr.Jagath Liyanarachchi, Attorney at Law, joined G&AC Programme from February, 2008 as Assistant Coordinator.
Staff
Changes