Friday, February 22, 2013

South Asian Women in Media (Sri Lanka Chapter) elects new office bearers



The South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) - Sri Lanka Chapter held its Annual General Meeting on 28 January 2013 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI).


 Newly elected office bearers of South Asian Women in Media (Sri Lanka Chapter)

The following were elected as office bearers:-
President - Dilrukshi Handunnetti  
Secretary - Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai  
Vice Presidents - Sharmini Boyle and Anomaa Rajakaruna  
National Co-ordinator - Seetha Ranjanee  

Committee Members:-
Hana Ibrahim
Furkhan Bee Ifthikar
Chithrakumari Kalubowila
Sunanda Hettiarachchi
Krishni Ifham
Dileesha Abeysundera
Niranjani Roland
Husna Hussain
Sanjeewika Manohari

Provincial representatives:-
Sudajini Rushangan – North
Theebadharshini - Uva
Lilly Waduge - North Central
M.M. Fathima Nasfiya - East
Sathyavani - Central

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

No progress on media killings, disappearances




Text and Photos by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

"They threatened us; made many disappeared; used bombs and killed our colleagues", protesters shouting slogans against media suppression







Journalists and media organizations protested at Lipton Circus in Colombo demanding for accountability, justice and media freedom at the “Black January” demonstration that has now become an annual event in Sri Lanka. Over the past few years the month of January has been commemorated in this manner, as an unusually large number of attacks on the media occurred during this month.

Eleven journalists and media workers have been killed in Sri Lanka since 2007 according to media right groups. The National Plan of Action to Implement the Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) 9.155a-c (2) mentions that “complete investigations into current cases” will be carried out. Justice however has not yet been delivered to the families of the journalists who have disappeared or been killed during the past few years. The Government appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission has recognized the importance of restoring the rights of the media in the list of recommendations.

Sri Lanka is placed 162nd in the 2013 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters without Borders (RSF). It was placed 163rd in 2011-2012 World Press Freedom Index.

Attempts were made to contact the Ministry of Mass Media and Communication, and Department of Police to ascertain progress in journalists’ cases, but were unable to get their comments.
 
"Eknalygoda was abducted by the government", read the placard in Sinhala
Protesters march around Lipton Circus
Lasantha's killers still free
 
Sandya Eknalygoda, wife of missing Sri Lankan cartoonist Prageeth Eknalygoda at the protest
Portraits of slain journalists
 
Protest march by journalists against media suppression
 
Journalists at protest
 
A piece of black cloth is worn by a journalist to condemn abduction, killing of journalists and against media suppression
Portrait of a slain journalist is carried by a fellow journalist
Journalists demanding justice and media freedom
Journalists protesting at Lipton Circus in Colombo

http://vimarsanam-vimansa.org/report/no-progress-on-media-killings-disappearences/

COURTESY: Vimarsanam-Vimansa ~ Reporting Reconciliation in Sri Lanka

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Goodwill Hardware ~ An exhibition of paintings questioning post war environment in Sri Lanka

Text and pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai


 
Barbedwire (II) 2012, Screen Print on Canvas 167.5cm x 122 cm

 
Barbedwire (XV) 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 169cm x 92cm

At a time when Sri Lanka has already started to forget its recent past, and artists have begun to move away from political and interventionist themes, Koralegedara Pushpakumara’s exhibition of paintings under the theme “Goodwill Hardware 2013” is a remarkable work. His powerful paintings attempt to point at the human suffering which the society has undergone during many decades of war and violence. While questioning and confronting the post war environment, he attempts to dismiss the human suffering from social memory by sheer political discourses of erasure.

His exhibition of paintings was recently held at Hempel Galleries. Nearly 27 screen print paintings and collage on canvass were displayed under the illustrated subtitles of  “Barbedwire, Bladewire, Barrier Tape, Pole and Wall Plug”.

I used to visit my relatives in Ampara in 1970s and 80s.  “Barbedwire” was very much part of the everyday landscape which has struck with me as a strong image in my memory, since my childhood. There is a division, restriction, denied access and violence. Although the war is over, the boundaries and divisions continue to exist. Today, these boundaries and divisions are less visible, but are still present.

Barbedwire is a symbol of violence. 2” x 2” pole is another symbol of violence. Wall Plug depicts the act of aggression. Damage is done by inserting the wall plug into the wall, and thereafter,unable to forget the memory despite any patching up” says artist Koralegedar Pushpakumara.

He has used black, gold and white acrylic colours on canvass to elaborate each situation. His art works convey a strong message in a post war situation.


"Barbedwire can be seen in post war Sri Lanka" ~ Koralegedara Pushpakumara

 
2'’x 2'' Pole (1), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm
Barrier Tape and Barbedwire, 2010, Scree Print and Collage on Canvas, 102cm x 156.5cm
 
Wall Plug (12), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Unprimed Canvas, 102cm x 146cm
 
Barbedwire (XI) 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas 110cm x 67.5cm and Barbedwire (xii), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm
 
Wall Plug (5), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm
 

Barbedwire  (VI),  2010, Screen Print, on Canvas 102cm x 156.5cm

 
Koralegedara Pushpakumara is a painter who creates critical paintings

Wall Plug (10) and Wall Plug (2), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvass, 110cm x 67.5cm

 
Bladewire (8) 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm


                                                      Barbedwire series


Bladewire (7), 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 68cm


Barbedwire (XIII) 2012, Screen Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 110cm x 67.5cm

 
2''x 2'' Pole (2),  2012, Screen  Print, Acrylic on Canvas, 167.5cm x 122cm

 
Bladewire (1), 2010, Acrylic on Canvas 138cm x 120 cm

 
Barbedwire (I), 2012, Screen Print on Canvas 167.5cm x 122 cm
Pictorial on Ceylon Today of 5th of February 2013




Courtesy: CEYLON TODAY