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CPA Statement on the Arrest of the Mayor of Jaffna

9th April 2021, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) condemns the arrest of Mr. Viswalingam Manivannan, the Mayor of Jaffna, under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 [PTA Act] and calls for his immediate release. Details surrounding the arrest are limited but based on the statement issued […]

Concerns Relating to the Recent Regulations Issued Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act

March 18, 2021, Colombo Sri Lanka: The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is alarmed by the Prevention of Terrorism (De-radicalization from holding violent extremist religious ideology) Regulations No. 01 of 2021 (hereinafter the regulations) published on the 12th of March 2021. The regulations are drafted in a manner that can further jeopardise the rights and […]

CPA Statement on the Proposed Bans on Burqas and Madrasas

March 18 2021, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is concerned by news reports of public statements made by the Minister for Public Security, Sarath Weerasekera MP, to the effect that the government intends taking measures to ban the wearing of the burqa, and to ban madrasas that do not conform to […]

Initial Concerns with the Report of the Commission of Inquiry to Investigate Allegations of Political Victimization and Subsequent Action

March 12 2021, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply troubled with the report of the ‘Commission of Inquiry to Investigate Allegations of Political Victimization During the Period Commencing 08th January 2015 and Ending 16th November 2019’ (The CoI), which has this week been tabled in Parliament, and the subsequent action […]

CPA Statement – 73 Years of Independence

February, 2021, Colombo, Sri Lanka: On the eve of Sri Lanka’s 73rd Independence Day, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) conveys its grave concern with the state of ethno-religious relations and threats to democratic institutions in Sri Lanka. These concerns arise within a context of unprecedented challenges due to a global pandemic, heightened authoritarian and […]

Submission to Experts Committee to Draft a New Constitution Appointed by the Ministry of Justice

December 9th 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), made the following submission which outlines CPA’s general views on the nature and form of a new constitutional settlement for Sri Lanka. The submission addresses some of the major constitutional issues that have been the basis of public debate for many years. Click here […]

Sri Lanka’s Recent Political Challenges & Prospects for the Future

On the 25 th of April, Sri Lanka will hold elections for its next Parliament. This will be the first election after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took office, a period in which several trends were discerned with implications for reconciliation, governance, the rule of law and security in Sri Lanka. The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) […]