NDI - Sri Lanka

NDI Partners with Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to Strengthen Parliaments

fgalleto — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:42:06 +0000

NDI and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) have signed an agreement to collaborate on efforts to enhance representative government around the world. The association is a group of national and subnational legislatures of the Commonwealth, representing some two billion citizens from all faiths and ethnicities from six continents.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in Nairobi Sept. 8 by the secretary-general of the CPA, William F. Shija, and the president of NDI, Kenneth Wollack.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in Nairobi Sept. 8 by the secretary-general of the CPA, William F. Shija, and the president of NDI, Kenneth Wollack. Shija attended the signing ceremony in advance of the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference hosted by the Kenyan Parliament. Wollack was in Nairobi attending NDI's first board meeting held outside the United States. NDI Board member Tom Daschle, former U.S. Senate majority leader, also participated in the ceremony.

NDI and CPA will continue to work together to develop and promote the use of the CPA's "Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures," a guide to good parliamentary practice developed in 2006 by a CPA Study Group that drew on a number of technical inputs, including an NDI discussion document. The CPA benchmarks are being used around the world to help parliaments self-assess their procedures and processes to identify areas where democratic governance can be improved.

Wollack and Daschle noted NDI's past successful cooperation with the CPA and looked forward to additional partnership at the global level and in Commonwealth parliaments where NDI has a parliamentary strengthening program. For his part, Shija welcomed the formal partnership as a vehicle for the 175 national and subnational legislatures of the Commonwealth to work with NDI to strengthen developing parliaments.

NDI and the CPA also collaborate with other international organizations on parliamentary strengthening, including the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank Institute.

Related:

Pictured above: Kenneth Wollack (left) and William F. Shija at the signing ceremony in Nairobi

Published September 21, 2010

One-Stop Election Guide, Sri Lanka

jbowen — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:12:18 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

03/01/2008

Resource Type:

Manual|Handbook

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the manual	3.91 MB

Sri Lanka

ggreene — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:42:42 +0000

In May 2009, the government of Sri Lanka won a decades’ long civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), after killing the organization’s leader and regaining control over the entire island. The exact number of those who died is not known, but conservative estimates state that over 75,000 people lost their lives in fighting since the armed conflict began in the 1970s when the Tamil Tigers, concentrated in the North and East, began pressing for self-governance. When the government resisted, the LTTE organized and began a campaign of suicide bombings and attacks throughout the country. Several rounds of talks between the government and LTTE failed to establish a lasting peace.

In February 2002, the government and LTTE signed a Norwegian-brokered ceasefire agreement intended to lay the groundwork for new talks. Sporadic violence continued, despite the ceasefire, and escalated dramatically in 2006 as talks stalled. By the time the government withdrew from the agreement in January 2008, more than 5,000 people had been killed since the ceasefire was signed.

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Political Situation

Beginning in early 2009, military advances progressively diminished the amount of LTTE-controlled territory until the government announced in May that it had successfully defeated the Tamil Tigers after several decades of war. The conflict resulted in a large number of civilian causalities and according to some estimates has left more than a hundred thousand internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North, the majority of whom remain detained in welfare centers. The Sri Lankan government announced plans to resettle the IDPs in conjunction with demining and reconstruction efforts in the North.

The government has come under international criticism for numerous political and civilian disappearances and assassinations, and threats against journalists. In particular, the killing of a prominent newspaper editor in early 2009 brought about heightened concerns over freedom of speech. The Sri Lankan Government also recently announced the re-activation of the Press Council, a government body with the power to fine and jail journalists and editors.

Successive provincial council elections, which have been held periodically since February 2009, have seen the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) retain or strengthen its control. Some observers, however, have alleged improper use of state resources and unfair disqualification of opposition candidates. Provincial council elections are expected to continue in the remaining provinces throughout 2009, including in the Northern Province. They are widely expected to be followed by national parliamentary elections later in the year. Presidential elections may also be held within the next 12 months.

In July 2006, President Mahinda Rajapaksa established the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) with the mandate to produce proposals for constitutional reforms in Sri Lanka. The aim was to engage a broad spectrum of political party representatives and arrive at a consensus through deliberation. The APRC was comprised originally of representatives from the following parties: Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP); United National Party (UNP); Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP); Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU); Sri Lanka Muslim Congress; National Unity Alliance; Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC); Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP); Lanka Sama Samaja Party; Communist Party of Sri Lanka; All Ceylon Muslim League; Eelam Peoples Democratic Party; National Muslim Congress; Up Country People's Front; and Western Peoples Front. However, the APRC has since lost some of its political party members and has yet to publish a final report. There are currently 13 political parties represented in the APRC and the main opposition parties – UNP, JVP, and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) – are not among them.

Constitutional questions have also resurfaced since the end of the conflict. President Rajapaksa has pledged to implement the 13th Amendment, which was ratified in 1987. The amendment calls for the devolution of more power from the center to the provinces. However, there is considerable opposition within the government coalition for such a move. President Rajapaksa has also stated on more than one occasion that Sri Lanka has the strength to arrive at a political solution through discussion. The President further stated that Tamils and Muslims are all Sri Lankans and the government has a responsibility to ensure that they can live in freedom, in a democratic Sri Lanka.

Past Programs

NDI has conducted programs in Sri Lanka since 1995, including election monitoring assistance during presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections. NDI also sponsored roundtable discussions across the country in which citizens, civic leaders, political party representatives, and election officials developed recommendations for electoral reform and strategies for their implementation. In January 2006, NDI provided assistance to strengthen responsive dialogue and cooperation among political parties in the southern and eastern districts. Representatives developed consensus-based plans for addressing local issues, including those surrounding the ongoing ethnic conflict. The program also delivered constituency relations and leadership development training to district party organizations to assist them in becoming more responsive to local concerns.

Building on the previous program’s success, NDI conducted a program in 2009 and 2010 that supported political parties, local governments’, and other stakeholder groups’ understanding of and participation in current constitutional reform discussions. This was carried out through district and provincial-level dialogues, to influence the national reform process towards an equitable negotiated settlement of the ethnic conflict. Forums were also held with university students, women and media representatives. The program was focused on the Southern, Eastern, Central and Northern Provinces. In addition, the Institute supported domestic election monitoring groups to observe the April 2010 parliamentary elections and the voter registration process.

Funding

NDI programming in Sri Lanka has been funded by the British High Commission, the Foreign Ministry of Norway, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Featured Publications

One-Stop Election Manual (March 2008)

From Dialogue to Action: Recommendations and Strategies for Electoral Reform in Sri-
Lanka (December 2004)

Report of the Post-Election Assessment of Sri Lanka Mission, November (December 2000)

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:

Washington, D.C.
Marjan Ehsassi, Program Manager
(202) 728-5405

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NDI 2005 Annual Report

vrao — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/01/2005

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	6.23 MB

From Dialogue to Action: Recommendations and Strategies for Electoral Reform in Sri Lanka

vrao — Fri, 18 Feb 2005 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/01/2004

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	3.27 MB

NDI Reports: A Review of the Activities of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

vrao — Mon, 21 Jul 2003 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/01/2008

Resource Type:

Newsletter

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Spring 2011: Digital Mapping, Women's Participation, Domestic Monitoring	1.2 MB
December 2008: Making Democracy Deliver	2.37 MB
Summer 2008: Kosovo, Pakistan, Sudan	571.9 KB
Summer 2007: Youth, Women, Technology	801.33 KB
Summer 2006: Bosnia, Liberia, West Bank and Gaza	462.92 KB
Fall 2005: Kosovo, Iraq, Kuwait	865.42 KB
Spring 2005: Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan	813.77 KB
Spring 2004: Win With Women, Elections in Eurasia	615.17 KB
Fall 2003: Celebrating 20 Years	808.11 KB
Spring 2003: Women's Leadership in Yemen, Nepal, Senegal	468.06 KB
Fall 2002: Democracy in the Middle East, Cuba	547.6 KB
Spring 2002: Asian Political Parties, Afghanistan	528.32 KB
Winter 2001: Sept. 11, Nicaragua, Belarus	507.47 KB
Summer 2001: Election Monitors in Central & Eastern Europe	683 KB
Spring 2001: Mexico, Peru, Serbia	732.14 KB
Winter 2000: Zimbabwe, Croatia, Thailand	2.52 MB
Winter 1999: Indonesia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan	3.23 MB
Fall 1999: Nigeria, Indonesia, Morocco	1.29 MB
Winter 1998: Kenya, Poland, Northern Ireland	2.26 MB
Summer 1998: Hong Kong, Ukraine, Ghana	2.01 MB
Winter 1997: Nicaragua, South Africa, Ghana	2.93 MB
Summer 1996: Russia, International Leaders Forum	2.98 MB
Spring 1996: West Bank Gaza, Bosnia, Burundi	2.4 MB
Winter 1995: West Bank Gaza, Ukraine, Malawi	3.28 MB
Fall 1995: South Africa, Russia, Yemen	2.22 MB
Summer 1995: Haiti, Peru, Malawi	2.68 MB
Spring 1994: South Africa, Mexico, Ethiopia	3.43 MB
Summer 1993: Russia, Namibia, Nicaragua	3.52 MB
Spring 1993: Cambodia, South Africa, Yemen	3.71 MB
Spring 1992: Romania, South Africa, Bolivia	1.99 MB
Winter 1991: Zambia, Poland, the Baltics	2.05 MB
Summer 1991: Zambia, Mexico, Bangladesh	1.26 MB
Spring 1991: Namibia, Russia, Senegal	1.36 MB
Winter 1990: Poland, Namibia, Bangladesh	1.33 MB
Fall 1990: Former Soviet Republics, Haiti, Bulgaria	2.07 MB
Summer 1990: Eastern Europe, Dominican Republic, Haiti	2.7 MB
Spring 1990: Hungary, Nicaragua, Panama	1.3 MB
Winter 1989: Pakistan, Argentina, Chile	1.59 MB
Fall 1988: Chile, Pakistan, Nicaragua	1.26 MB
Summer 1988: Costa Rica, Panama, Chile	1.61 MB
Spring 1988: Tunisia, Chile, Paraguay	1.28 MB
Winter 1987: Haiti, Chile, Nicaragua	1.84 MB
Fall 1987: Haiti, Uruguay, Nicaragua	1.43 MB
Spring 1987: Argentina, Philippines, Haiti	1.22 MB
Spring 1986: Philippines, Brazil, Northern Ireland	2.26 MB
Summer 1986: Chile, South Korea, Northern Ireland	2.92 MB
Winter 1986: Mondale Assumes Chairmanship, Argentina, Haiti	3.96 MB
Summer 1985: Senegal, Northern Ireland, South America	1.15 MB

Implementing Party Reforms in South Asia: Challenges and Strategies

vrao — Thu, 24 Jan 2002 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

Randhir B. Jain

Publisher:

Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD)

Published Date:

01/06/2002

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	167.65 KB

Report of the Post-Election Assessment of Sri Lanka Mission November 28-December 2, 2000

vrao — Thu, 12 Apr 2001 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/28/2000

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	72.51 KB

NDI - Sri Lanka

NDI Partners with Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to Strengthen Parliaments

One-Stop Election Guide, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Read More

Political Situation

Past Programs

Funding

Featured Publications

Contact Information

NDI 2005 Annual Report

From Dialogue to Action: Recommendations and Strategies for Electoral Reform in Sri Lanka

NDI Reports: A Review of the Activities of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

Implementing Party Reforms in South Asia: Challenges and Strategies

Report of the Post-Election Assessment of Sri Lanka Mission November 28-December 2, 2000