Empowering Local Media

Internews has been working in Sri Lanka since 2005, providing information services to vulnerable communities and delivering training to both established journalists and young trainees. Internews works closely with local organisations and the Government to harness the power of media and information to help people develop a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Tamil speaking opinion leaders at Forum Discussion on Constitutional Reform in Ampara

A forum Discussion in the Tamil medium was held on 17th of July 2010 at  the Mahapola Training Center, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Oluvil. The theme of the discussion was Constitutional changes in Sri Lanka,  Fundamental rights and human rights. 51 opinion leaders including journalists, local political party leaders and educationists participated.

Dr. A.L.A. Gafoor, former district judge and  Lecturer of Faculty of Law, University of Colombo led the forum discussion. The East Media House Director, Mr Shadath,  moderated the discussion.

During the  discussion some focal questions were examined:   why , what , how and to whom the  constitution is  changed  and how the fundamental rights aspects and provisions  can  be included  to ensure the smooth operation of government mechanism  to ensure the rights of the people.

The agenda of the forum discussion also featured the replay of three segments to inform the Tamil speaking people of this country about  the perspective and opinion of  the Sinhala community on  the ongoing discussions  on  the process of constitutional changing.

The three radio programmes were  produced from the outcome of Sinhala medium forum discussion held on 11th of July 2010 . By listening to these radio productions, Muslim and Tamil community participants  got an opportunity to understand the stand of  the Sinhala community on this issue.

During the discussion, the participants requested the Government and opposition to discuss with the citizens  of this country about the  contents of the constitution. Hence most of the participants expressed their opinion about the Post-war and the constitutional making process and maintained that this should be carried out  with sensitivity   to prevent the future conflict.