PPD 4th Step Completed in batticola. Majority are the youth among the participants from Ampara, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee districts.
The youth enthusiastically engaged the dialogue on historical evolution of political oppression on numerically minority ethnic and religious communities, which was conducted by Roy Rodrigo of Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform and structural and cultural violence of Socety which was facilitated by Margarita Civil Peace Service.
Gayan Ambegoda, the Civil Peace Service Program coordinator of NAFSO Sri Lanka expressed his views and said, "Our attempt is to build a strong people active base to attend Reconciliation and building Peace through Strengthening Social Cohesion & Peace in Sri Lanka. Our attempts will contribute slowly but steadily towards that."
The 2nd Day of PPD program began with the protest against the use of Draconian law of Prevention of Terrorism Act to harass civil activists and Media journalists recently.
The immediate incident was the summon of Anjali Devi Rajarathnem, the board member of AHRC of Trincomalee to CTID.
Lavan Kundamani, the former coordinator of North East Coordination Committee said, "Anjali Devi was summoned to the CTID yesterday was not the first time, she was continuously harassed and threatened accusing various false allegations against her. So, this should not happen to other activists and we strongly condemn this type of harassment to civil society activists."
The team decided to conduct a protest demanding repeal of PTA as new government promised during the election campaign.
Herman Kumara Wijethunge, Convener, NAFSO Sri Lanka said, "We strongly stand against the harassment using draconian laws. It has been used to suppress people's voices. People in the country invluding N/E expected system change. But, government shouldn't allow the people's aspirations fading away.
Unless, government take actions honestly and with courage to demolish PTA, will push people away from their aspirations."
The group strongly chanted, "Down with PTA" "Abolish, Draconian Law of PTA".
""We are united as Citizens, demand to Repeal PTA."
3rd and Final day of the 4th step of People to People Dialogue held in Batticaloa became heat when Mireka of AHRC presented the gender, violence, discrimination and role of a progressive society to empower women.
Most of the male in the audience, specially unmarried youth became fired and angrily argued against what Mireka presented.
However, Mireka had the courage to face the criticisms together with the support of Lavan, Arshad, Nisal, Suba Shini, Nishaka, Chandrika, Jothi, Manel Podineris, raised their concerns with their experiences.
Interestingly, critics was raised that the "dress code" as the main cause to the sexual harassment on women.
This was the most heated yet live, dynamic and the longest sessions of the whole program. However, group agreed to 3 points to proceed through PPD process;
1. Continue the CEDAW parallel report preparation to be sent to Geneva by January, 2025,
2. Conduct awareness raising program for CSO activists on gender justice, in next PPD program,
3. Continue in-depth program of gender justice campaign,
As a whole it was very successful program in most of the aspects and eye opening work which some male participants considered this as a challenge and threat to them. However, the facilitator was able to respond positively and clarified most of the doubts emerged from the floor.
THANK YOU
