Deadline approaching: Knight-Wallace journalism fellowships

Mid-career journalists can apply for a fellowship at the University of Michigan.

The Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship, sponsored by the University of Michigan, brings exceptional journalists from the U.S. and abroad together for a year of academic study. Fellows devise a personalized plan of study with access to the courses and resources at the university.

Typically, 12 Americans are joined by six international colleagues. Fellows must obtain a leave of absence from September 1 through April and then return to their place of employment.

Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience. Print, broadcast and online journalists are eligible to apply. Fellows receive US$70,000 and have their tuition and travel costs covered by the program.

The deadline for U.S. and international applicants is February 1.

For more information, click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/deadline-approaching-knight-wallace-journalism-fellowships-worldwide

Reuters offers fellowships to writing, reporting class

Journalists who want to improve their writing and reporting skills can apply for fellowships to a course in London.

Applicants must be currently working as a journalist or regular contributor to media organizations. They must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in journalism in their country, must have at least two years’ professional experience and have a good level in spoken and written English.

Full bursaries for journalists from the developing world/countries in political transition working for organizations with no resources for training. Bursaries include return air travel (economy class), accommodation and a modest living allowance.

Part-funded bursaries are available for journalists from the developing world/countries in political transition who work for organizations that have limited resources for training, in this instance Thomson Reuters Foundation waives the tuition cost and you will be expected to cover travel and accommodation costs. In exceptional circumstances, journalists from the developed world will be considered for part-funded bursaries.

Thomson Reuters Foundation also offers training for journalists from any region from an organization that has the resources to fully cover the costs of the program.

For more information, click here. Deadline for applications is January 6, the course will be held in March.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/reuters-offers-fellowships-writing-reporting-class-worldwide

Documentary photo contest

Professional and amateur photographers can participate in a contest on human rights.

The annual FotoEvidence Book Award will recognize a documentary photographer whose project demonstrates courage and commitment in addressing a violation of human rights, a significant injustice or an assault on human dignity.

The winning project will be published in book form, as part of a series of FotoEvidence books dedicated to photographers whose commitment and courage create an awareness of social injustice. The photographer will receive royalties on book sales.

Applications are accepted all year until the February 15 deadline, submissions received after are entered in the 2013 contest. Photographers should submit up to 15 images from one project along with a $50 entry fee. (That fee may also be waived by writing to contest organizers.)

For more information, click here

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/documentary-photo-contest-open-worldwide

Environmental journalism fellowships

Early to mid-career journalists from across the globe who are interested in environmental reporting can apply for a week-long science immersion fellowship at the U.S. University of Rhode Island’s school of Oceanography.

The fellowship, which will run from June 3 - 8, 2012, will introduce fellows to the local, regional, and global implications of climate change, water pollution, and overfishing on coastal environments. Field and lab work as well as lectures by prominent environmental researchers will be included.

The Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting is sponsoring the fellowship. Fellows will be granted expenses for tuition, room and board and some travel funds.

For more information, click here

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/environmental-journalism-fellowships-available-worldwide

Carl Zeiss Photo Contest

Photographers worldwide who use Carl Zeiss lenses, either in a traditional camera or a smartphone, can participate in a contest.

For its 2011 photography competition, Carl Zeiss is looking for that moment in which you do not see a subject, but a story. “We’re looking for images of that very special moment,” says Martin Dominicus, Head of Marketing for the Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division. “Every life, every situation and every place is full of stories that take place in a split second. The ability to capture that in such a way that you recognize the story behind it — this is, and has always been, the high art of photography.”

There are no rules in terms of style. Images can show bizarre, mysterious, funny or romantic situations. Photographic techniques such as the conscious play with focusing or blur can be used, as well as light/shadow or black and white photography.

First prize is a ZEISS SLR camera lens of the winner’s choice (ZE or ZF.2), plus Carl Zeiss T* UV filter, Carl Zeiss Comfort Camera Strap and Carl Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit.

The deadline is January 15, 2012.

For more information, click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/carl-zeiss-photo-contest-open-worldwide

World Press Institute fellowships

Journalists from around the world are encouraged to apply for the World Press Institute fellowship program in the United States. Through its fellowship program, the World Press Institute brings 10 international journalists to the U.S. each year for an eight-week program to experience reporting in the country.

The 2012 WPI fellowship will begin August 10 and end mid-October. It begins with a three-week residency in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The fellows will then spend four weeks traveling to four or five U.S. cities before returning to Minnesota for the final week of the program.

Journalists can work for news or editorial departments of newspapers, wire services, radio, television, web sites, online publications or magazines of general public interest.

Photojournalists, editorial cartoonists, columnists and broadcast producers are also eligible.

Requirements for applicants include at least five years of full-time news experience; fluency in all aspects of English; several written essays; three letters of recommendation; and at least three work samples.

Deadline: January 31, 2012. For more information click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/world-press-institute-fellowships-open-worldwide-0

THREAT TO CUT OFF MR. KAVIRATHNA’S FINGERS FOR WRITING (TO DAILY MIRROR and SUNDAY TIMES ) ON CORRUPTION INVOLVED IN THE DEMOLISHING OF OLD AMBALANGODA REST HOUSE

It is reported that Kavirathna, recently, had written features about a financial racket involved in the demolition of Old Rest House of Ambalangoda and the selling of valuable timber worth several lakhs of rupees and the money had allegedly been misappropriated by one K.M. Hemasiri - ex UC member of the governing party. His articles had been based on the findings of this issue as discussed in one of the monthly meetings of UC Ambalangoda. Hemasiri had also been the Chairman of Ruhuna Tourist Bureau.

The demolition had taken place when he was given a political appointment. The general public of Ambalangoda town are wild over the demolition of this building by one of the henchmen of the governing party.

About two years back the old Rest House was demolished saying a Hotel School would be constructed on that piece of land. Nothing had happened so far and shrub jungle crept in. A few days back Kavirathna had taken some photos of the location which has become the safe haven for drug addicts and sex perverts.

Coming to know this Hemasiri had given a call to Kavirathna’s residence in his absence threatening to cut off his fingers in case if he writes anything about this again. This happened on (20th December, 2011). On that day itself he had accidentally met Hemasiri at Ambalangoda bus stand in the presence of another media person where Hemasiri had scolded him in filth and threatened to cut off his hands.

Kavirathna has lodged an entry at the Ambalangoda Police Station (Entry Ref. No: C/O/07/392) about this threat.

Kavirathna is a keen writer on Corruptions, Bribery and Human Right Violations. In 2002 he won the IFJ Prize for Excellence of Journalism on Tolerance of Diversity for his Article titled NORTH-SOUTH PEACE BRIDGE.

Mr. Kavirathna is the President of Southern Province United Media Association and a provincial media person covering Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts in the South of Sri Lanka. He also is the coordinator of SAFMA Sri Lanka chapter for Southern Province.

SAFMA demands probe into killing of journalists

“Government institutions and armed groups need to realise the role of media and must not pressurise reporters,” Imtiaz Alam, Safma’s general secretary, said on Friday.

The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) has called on the government of Pakistan to constitute a committee to investigate the killings of journalists in Balochistan.

Safma had organised a conference, titled “Attacks on journalists and media freedom”, at the Quetta Press Club. The conference adopted resolutions demanding proper training for journalists in Balochistan, a specific fund in Balochistan’s annual budget to enhance the capability of journalists, and establishment of press clubs in each district.

At the conference, journalists shared the difficulties they face in a province where as many as 20 journalists have so far been killed and none of the killings has been properly investigated.

What happened to Prageeth Ekneligoda, Ranil asks

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today asked the government to inform Parliament as to what happened to journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said that this journalist had been missing for a long time.

“We want to know what happened to Mr. Ekneligoda. Where is he?” he asked.

He also asked the government to reduce the 25-year service period required for journalists to be eligible to get the interest free vehicle loan announced in the budget. Then, he said that young journalists could benefit from this proposal. 

(Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

Daily Mirror Online

Embarrassed by relentless publicity given to my family: Namal

Government MP Namal Rajapaksa said in Parliament today that he is thoroughly embarrassed by the ‘relentless publicity’ given by the state run TV channels to the events attended by his family members and relatives.

\Making his remarks during the committee stage debate of the Media Ministry, MP Rajapaksa said that he, along with his mother and two younger brothers, watched one such news bulletin which overly highlighted the events related to his family members in a consequential order.

“In the bulletin, they telecasted news about President Mahinda Rajapaksa, me, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in order. There are matters to be covered regarding other MPs in the government, provincial councilors and local government members and the opposition. There should be a chance for all shades of opinion. Then, the credibility of these media institutions will be high,” he said. 

(Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)
Daily Mirror online

Commonwealth Shorts

The Commonwealth Foundation is offering funding and capacity building to Commonwealth film makers to produce a short film which explores and challenges a society’s values, on the theme of relationships.

Individual filmmakers or collectives should submit a proposal which explores the theme of love in its broadest sense, whether inter-racial, inter-generational or within and between the sexes. The theme should be relevant to the filmmaker and their community.

We’re looking for original, bold and authentic films in any genre which entertain as well as stimulate and encourage debate both locally and globally.

Deadline for receipt of applications is 31 January 2012 (5pm GMT)

Click here for eligibility criteria and entry guidelines.

Scholarships to journalism and civic resistance program

Journalists worldwide fluent in English or Spanish can apply for a scholarship program in Mexico.

The School of Authentic Journalism invites 40 scholarship recipients to learn reporting strategies of civil resistance, nonviolence, community organizing and the dynamics by which successful struggles win over public opinion.

Each scholar must write at least one online journalism piece or co-produce at least one video. This work happens in three groups: investigative journalism, online journalism and viral video production. Scholars also have their own faculty advisor to coach them in their work.

All sessions are translated in English or Spanish, but the program is open to everyone of any age, education level, nationality, faith, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status or political tendency.

The program is tuition-free and training materials are included. Applicants aren't turned away if they can't afford it. Narco News and the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict could cover airfare, food and lodging in some cases.

For applications in English, contact 2012applicationATnarconews.com. For applications in Spanish, contact 2012solicitudATnarconews.com. The application focuses on essays and samples of writing, blogging, webmastering, video or other media work.

The program will be held March 21-31, 2012. The deadline to apply is December 28.

For more information, click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/scholarships-journalism-and-civic-resistance-program-open-worldwide

Harvard global health reporting fellowships

Journalists can apply for a global health reporting fellowship.

The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard awards Nieman Fellowships in Global Health Reporting to one U.S. citizen and one non-U.S. citizen.

Fellows spend one year at Harvard's School of Public Health conducting research and pursuing a concentration of study. Fellows then report on health issues from a developing country for up to four months. Fellows are expected to produce materials based on their experiences.

Applicants must submit a personal statement, research proposal, work samples published in the past year, four recommendation letters and a leave of absence letter.

The deadline to apply is January 31.

For more information, click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/global-health-reporting-fellowships-open-worldwide

Reuters journalism fellowships at Oxford

Mid-career journalists can apply for a fellowship at Oxford University.

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism seeks applicants for its research fellowship program of either three, six or nine months.

Fellows will complete a 8,000-10,000 word academic paper fit for publication, with preference given to projects within the institute's areas of focus - the business of journalism, the evolving practice of journalism and relationships between journalism and accountability.

Applicants with at least five years journalism experience and strong English skills should submit a resume, personal statement, project proposal, references and work samples.

The deadline is January 31.

For more information, click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/reuters-journalism-fellowship-accepting-applications-worldwide

UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize seeks nominations

Journalists, organizations or institutions that promote press freedom worldwide can be nominated for a US$25,000 award.

The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize will recognize a significant contribution to press freedom, especially in high-risk areas.

Member states, international/regional organizations or professional/non-governmental organizations working in the field of journalism and freedom of expression can nominate up to three candidates.

The recipient will be recognized during World Press Freedom Day held May 3, 2012.

Nominations must be in English or French and include a brief biography or history of the nominee.

For more information, click here.

World Press Photo contest

Photojournalists and professional photographers can submit works to a contest.

The World Press Photo contest seeks single images or stories/portfolios in nine categories: spot news, general news, people in the news, sports, contemporary issues, daily life, portraits, arts and entertainment and nature.

Winning pictures compose a traveling exhibition across 45 countries and are featured in a yearbook published in seven languages and distributed worldwide.

All submissions must have been taken or published in 2011.

The registration deadline is January 6. The deadline for submissions is January 12.

For more information, click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/world-press-photo-contest-open-worldwide

World Press Institute fellowships

The World Press Institute (WPI) is offering four-month fellowships for experienced journalists outside the United States hoping to improve their understanding of American journalism.

The program aims to expose fellows to working conditions in the U.S. media. They are required to report on a variety of social issues to see how U.S. institutions respond to different social concerns. WPI hopes to promote accurate reporting about the United States by international journalists.

Applicants must have demonstrated leadership potential, five years of full-time news experience and fluency in English. Freelancers are eligible. Applications for the 2012 program are due January 31, 2012.

The WPI is a private, non-profit organization supported by a variety of foundations, media institutions and multi-national corporations.

For more information, click here.

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/world-press-institute-fellowships-open-worldwide

The International Conference on Online Journalism seeks papers

Journalists and academic scholars can submit their research to a conference.

The International Conference on Online Journalism seeks papers on this year's theme - "Towards Neo-Journalism? Redefining, Extending or Reconfiguring a Profession."

Topics should be related to one of six panels:
New Communication Structures, Blogosphere, and Participatory Media
Practices and Representations of Professional Online Journalists
New Media Regulation: The Right to Information at the Crossroads
(Online) Media and Language Use
Information Content
The Public's Trust in Online News Media

The conference features keynote speakers Mark Deuze and Alfred Hermida and will be held October 3-4 in Brussels, Belgium.

The submission deadline for 500-word abstracts is January 6.

For more information, click here.


http://ijnet.org/opportunities/international-conference-online-journalism-seeks-papers-worldwide

PETITION CHALLENGING BLOCKING 5 WEBSITES: HEARING POSTPONED

The Supreme Court postponed to January 24, 2012 taking up the fundamental rights application filed by the Free Media Movement challenging the government’s blocking of five news websites.

When the petition was taken up today (Dec. 09), raising primary objections the Attorney General argued that the Free Media Movement has no legal basis to file a petition such as this.

However, the three judge bench citing the need to conduct extensive examination regarding the matter, postponed hearings on the petition to January 24 next year.

The Free Media Movement filed the fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court on Monday (05) on the basis that the blockade breaches the people’s right to information and freedom of expression.

‘Build South Asia as a community of peoples’

SAARC Charter Day message from SAFMA-SL

‘Build South Asia as a community of peoples’

The journalists of South Asia are happy to mark today, December 8th, the anniversary of the establishment of our very own, south Asian regional grouping, the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC). 

As the sole body of journalists of South Asia recognized by and affiliated with the SAARC Secretariat, the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) proudly follows in the footsteps of the region’s political leaderships in helping build our South Asian community. SAFMA, founded in 2000 in Islamabad, Pakistan, has now over a decade of various achievements that have contributed towards building that regional community. 

SAARC primarily comprises the governments and States of the South Asian region and today includes all 8 countries of the region: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, this political network was long preceded by the close cultural and ethnic ties that have bound the peoples of the region together since the beginnings of human society. 

Dravidian languages are known to have linked pre-historic communities in Pakistan and South India. The northern sub-continental languages cut across national boundaries of the region from east to west. An ancient, enduring religion links Afghanistan with Sri Lanka, along with every other South Asian country. Another, even more ancient faith also links India with Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other countries. Ancient technologies, arts and crafts, are shared throughout the region. 

In modern times, mass culture has burst south Asia’s national borders and the mass media leads the way in bringing South Asia’s diverse communities together in sharing of information about each other’s problems, aspirations, challenges and celebrations. 

SAFMA has done much in the past ten years in building a community of South Asian journalists committed towards information sharing, solidarity in endeavours towards professional excellence, and building peace and prosperity in the Region. These initiatives include the South Asian Media School, South Asian Women in the Media, South Asian Media Commission and the SAPANA network of South Asian scholars. 

SAFMA Sri Lanka Chapter is committed to furthering this ‘’togetherness’ of South Asian peoples. 

Attack on Editor unwarranted- Minister

Mass Media & Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday visited Chief Editor of Lakbimanews Rajpal Abeynayake at the Colombo National Hospital where the latter is receiving treatment after being assaulted at a lawyers’ function on Saturday night.

Abeynayake was subjected to an inhuman assault by a lawyer at the Voetlight dinner at a five star hotel in Colombo when he freely expressed his views on the duplicitous conduct of some of his lawyer colleagues.

Minister Rambukwella stressed that it is an unfortunate incident which needs to be fully investigated. He said that legal action should be taken against the assailant. He said that it is hilarious that a senior lawyer and a Chief Editor of a national newspaper had to face this unfortunate incident at the hands of a fellow lawyer.

Minister Rambukwella said that lawyers are permitted to speak freely at this particular function and heap scorn on each other without fearing any consequence.

The minister said that this attack was carried out by a lawyer from whom the ordinary masses of the country expects democratic values and norms of justice to be upheld and it is a disgrace to the entire legal profession. He emphasized the importance of bringing the culprit to book forthwith. “Everyone has a right to give vent to their free expression and that right has been ensured in the country.

“It is hilarious that Abeynayake was subjected to attack at the hands of a lawyer who himself professes the protection of human rights in the country, he said.

Hospital Director Dr. Sujatha Senarathne, member of the hospital committee Dr. Shehan Aziz were also present.

Free media seeks SC order to lift ban on websites

The Free Media Movement yesterday filed a fundamental rights violation petition in the Supreme Court seeking the lifting of the ban on five websites in Sri Lanka.

The websites named were Sri Lanka Mirror, Lanka Guardian, Lanka E-News, Lanka News Web and Papparazi news.com

It was cited in the petition that the Director of Information Dr Ariyaratne Ethugala had said that the reason to ban the websites was due to them carrying news defaming to Ministers and VIPs, but it argued that hitherto no complaints had been received to that effect from anyone.

Director of Government Information Dr Ariyaratne Ehtugala, Information Ministry Secretary W. P. Ganegala and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Anusha Pelpita were named as respondents.

The petition was filed by Udaya Kalupahana and Sunil Jayasekera.

The Island:

Angry Indian farmers give snakes to alleged bribe seekers

‘The tax office that really is a nest of vipers’

Two farmers fed up with alleged bribery demands emptied three bags filled with snakes in a busy tax office in northern India, an official said.

The 40 or so snakes of different sizes and species — including at least four deadly cobras -sent clerks and villagers climbing atop tables and scurrying out the door to escape the office in Basti, about 186 miles southeast of Lucknow, said Uttar Pradesh state official Ramsukh Sharma.

‘Snakes started climbing up the tables and chairs,’ he said.

‘There was total chaos. Hundreds of people gathered outside the room, some of them with sticks in their hands, shouting that the snakes should be killed.’

No one was bitten or injured in the incident on Tuesday afternoon, and police and forest officials captured the snakes.

The farmers had been asking for tax records for their land in nearby Narharpur village, but tax officials withheld the files for weeks while allegedly demanding bribes.

Sharma said their method of protest was unacceptable.

Police are searching for the farmers, who were identified as Hukkul Khan and Ramkul Ram. Khan is known locally as a snake charmer. Protests against corruption in India is not uncommon and nor is bribery.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators protested in August to support the creation of a new watchdog which would have the power to investigate senior bureaucrats and politicians.

And some Indian states have been posting online videos to air the stories of victims of bribery, in which they name corrupt officials.

Over 1,000 such videos have been uploaded according to authorities, which they believe could help discourage those involved re- offending.

The development minister of northeastern state Bihar, Nitish Mishra, said: ‘We feel the fear of their names going public in social networking sites, resulting in social embarrassment, will obviously force the ‘corrupt’ officials not to seek bribes from the common villages’, the Guardian reported.

DailyMirror:

European Fund for Investigative Journalism

RULES FOR APPLICATION

Journalists who have a good idea for an investigative story and need money for the research can apply for a research grant

Please check this list before you apply:
Do you have a lead to a good story but need economic support to realise it?
Is your story important for readers / listeners / viewers in Europe?
Do you intend to cooperate with journalists from other European countries and do you intend to publish your story in at least two EU- and/or EFTA-countries? OR do you intend to publish your story to a national and a European audience, for example for a national newspaper and via one of news media targeting the European community (se some indicative examples of relevant news media among the lists of this wiki-page on European Media)? If you are a journalist from other parts of the world or with another focus and thus can not apply to this grant, do have a look at our overview over other journalism research grants.
Do you intend to publish in media that reach a broad and /or highly relevant audience?
Do you plan a story of investigative character and which brings significant new information to the audience?

If you can answer yes to the above, please proceed and look at the following rules for application:
Journalismfund supports journalists, who work in teams across borders in order to safeguard the best knowledge of the country and the target group. The idea is to pool research power and expertise to create stronger cross-border and European affairs stories. Teams must consist of minimum two persons in two different EU/EFTA countries. One-person applications can be accepted but are the exception, in such cases the story idea must be very convincing and maintain a clearly European character, for example focus on EU policies, European policy making, spending of EU money and so on.
Stories must be published in at least two, preferably more EU/EFTA countries in order to safeguard the impact of the story. For one-person research, the story must be published in one EU/EFTA country and in a media targeting an EU-target group like the Brussels EU community.
All proposals have to be submitted following the instructions on our website. Reception will be confirmed by e-mail. Calls for proposals will be announced to all subscribers of our newsletter as well as via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Additional documentation and information may be requested by Journalismfund.eu.
Only natural persons are eligible for a work grant.
Applicants must be working as professional journalists.
The applicant must explain convincingly that it would not be possible to realise the project without a work grant.
References from individuals (editors, publishers, journalists, professors) and/or references to earlier work are essential. Journalismfund.eu reserves the right to contact references (while respecting the confidentiality of the proposal, see below).
The applicant must be able to demonstrate the feasibility of the project via a credible research plan.
A basic commitment to take on the product on the part of media in at least two European countries is a condition for the award of the work grant requested. You can use the sample letter. (rtf, 37 KB)

Applications can be turned down on grounds of budget.
Journalismfund.eu supports costs related to the actual research, but neither supports fixed costs of the applicants nor costs in connection with publication.
The applicant(s) must be prepared to give an explanation of his/her product in person, if required by the Fund or the Jury.
Both the Fund and the Jury are bound to strict confidentiality - before, during and after evaluation of the proposals.
The grantee(s) agree(s) on mentioning the Fund when the journalistic product(s) supported by the grant is (are) published.
Recipients of a work grant undertake to report regularly to the Fund on the progress of the project.
The Fund reserves the right to publish in part, in whole or as a reference the final product on its website or in its publications.
Grantees accept to present reports of their research and to share their experience with colleagues.

SCRIBE ATTACKED BY LAWYER FOR COMMENTS ON FORMER CJ

Journalist Rajpal Abeynayake has reportedly been assaulted during an annual get-together of a lawyers’ association held at a five star hotel in Colombo yesterday (03).

Police state that a complaint has been lodged at the Colpetty police station regarding the incident, which had occurred abruptly during a conversation.

Mr. Abeynayake, speaking to Ada Derana, claimed he was punched and kicked on the head by a lawyer, due to a comment he had ‘jokingly’ made to another lawyer regarding the former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva.

Rajpal Abeynayake further stated that he has the right express his views in public and that the assault on him was contemptible.

Adaderana

‘How urgent are Urgent Bills?’

One hundred and twenty eight Acts of Parliament have been passed as urgent bills since 1978. This was revealed by former Secretary General of Parliament, Ms Priyani Wijesekera at TISL’s Sambhashana programme, ‘How urgent are Urgent Bills’ held on 29 November at the OPA auditorium.

Pointing out that when one glances at the list of ‘Urgent bills’ enacted since 1978, one wonders how and why many of them have been considered urgent, she referred to some of them. These included Universities Act, Local Authorities Act, Motor Traffic Act, Passports Act, Parliament (Powers & Privileges) Act, Parliamentary Pensions Act, and most of the Constitutional Amendments. There were some like the Nominations Commission Bill which were finally never passed.



She quoted the example of the Consumer Protection Bill presented in 2001 when referred to the Supreme Court as urgent, a citizen challenged it on the ground that there was no need to treat it as urgent. However, the Court held that it was not a matter for them to decide as it was solely the duty of the Cabinet.

“In some years an excessively large amount of Bills have been so passed as to make one wonder what could be so urgent about them. In 1988, 24 Bills and in 1999, 14 Bills were passed at urgent,” she added.

Describing the procedure followed, she said that unlike a regular bill the urgent bill need not be published in the Gazette prior to its presentation in Parliament. “Thus the public is denied notice of the impending legislation and would have no opportunity to challenge it before the Supreme Court. We in Sri Lanka do not have post-enactment review,” she pointed out.

Welcoming the invitees to the programme, TISL Executive Director Wijaya Jayatilaka said that the Sambhashana programme attempts to create a regular platform and space for discussion, debate and consensus building.

Referring to the TISL definition of corruption as “abuse of entrusted power for private gain where the benefits may be monetory or non-monetory,” he said that when we consider the trust we place in our elected leaders there is much to be concerned about. “It is two years since the war ended, the battle guns are quiet. One would feel that it is time we get our national act together,” he said.

He quoted several excerpts from the recently released TISL publication, ‘National Integrity Assessment Sri Lanka 2010′, and reminded of the saying that evil prevails in the world because good people did nothing.

Following former Secretary General, Ms Wijesekera’s analysis of urgent bills, senior attorney J C Weliamuna queried as to how the concept of urgent bills has come to being and indicated the need to understand that in Sri Lanka once a law is passed, no one can question the validity of the law thereafter.



Pointing out “It is the Cabinet. The Constitution says, in the case of a bill which is, in the view of the Cabinet of Ministers, urgent in the national interest. And there is an endorsement to the effect under the hand of the secretary to the Cabinet. Now the cabinet decides that a bill is urgent and there is a seal and a signature. And whether it was really urgent or not is not a matter for the court to examine. In my view, our courts have interpreted differently.”

He said that once the Cabinet decides a bill is urgent, the only follow up is that the Supreme Court has to give its determination – whether it is compatible with the constitution – and the decision has to be conveyed within one day to three days. After that it may even take three years to pass it. He said that the whole process of urgent bills is a mechanism used to prevent a public debate and prevent democracy working – nothing else.

Questioning as to “what the Cabinet is and who is the Cabinet”, he said that in Sri Lanka, the Cabinet is headed by the President and he appoints it. “He could remove the members of the Cabinet overnight with no explanation, and theoretically there can be a one-man or one-woman Cabinet, that is the President of Sri Lanka – it is in our Constitution.”

There are MPs from the Opposition as a well as the government in the Cabinet. There was an MP whose property has been acquired under the recent expropriation law. He said that if that MP crosses over then there would be another urgent bill to change that law!

Another panellist, lawyer and Member of Parliament, M.A. Sumanthiran said that ordinary bills presented in Parliament could be worse than urgent bills referred to the Supreme Court because often items that are unconstitutional are smuggled in as amendments. Ordinary bills could be also dangerous and have only a 7-day window to be challenged.



Citizens must know of that bill once it being gazetted but unless the person is a Member of Parliament, he or she would never get a copy of the bill. He said that many laws have been passed but people unfortunately have not been able to challenge them. The worst, Mr Sumanthiran noted is when amendments are passed at the Committee stage. They are neither gazetted nor contain anything that ordinary citizens have access to. Even new laws can be deviously introduced as the committee stage amendments.

Referring to the issue of urgent bills, he said the discussion brings to focus the legislative process and that these urgent bills are not urgent matters. But these discussions could bring to light other important matters associated with that and then it creates big concern over them. Many constitutional amendments have been made with urgent bills. He referred to another urgent bill called the Rajadurai Amendment which was just to enable one member to cross over.

Professor Milton Rajaratne, Faculty of Management – University of Peradeniya indicated that certain ad-hoc bills passed have serious repercussions on the country’s economy and he branded these laws as ‘aarthika ghathakayo’ (killers of the economy). These laws have led to a loss in business confidence and would eventually destroy the private sector. He said that these actions would lead to a prevention of the expansion of existing enterprises. There would be a reluctance to launch new business, as there are laws now that vest unlimited power in taking over any business on the pretext of under- performance or under-utilization.



The panelists made a serious call for regulations to allow the people to review legislation. There is a constitution of the country, if the constitution is supreme then all laws must be subordinate to that and any inconsistency must be permitted to be challenged at any stage, was their submission.

They agreed that the present constitution has a few flaws and such issues could be sorted out if there was post-enactment review preceded by public debate.



There was a lively discussion after the presentations by the panelists. The audience commented that these valuable presentations and awareness on issues of public importance need to be articulated before a wider, more representative public audience that would reach the four corners of the country – to enable people to learn how democracy is being subverted and the people’s rights violated.