Civil Society Forum

The Civil Society Forum is organized as one of the main activities of the Institute to deal with social, economic and political issues of national importance. Its main objective is to explore and examine the policy alternatives to enable Sri Lanka to realize its full potential for human development. Work in this area will lead to an annual publication.

The main themes which will be dealt with in the Forum are:

(i) Development policy to Promote Human Development

The themes will under this heading will be selected from issues arising out of the analysis of the Mahinda Chintana referred to later and will include:

  • Policy Challenges in integrating Growth with Equity.
  • Reduction of Inequality, region ethnic class and implications for human development and poverty reduction.
  • Critical Issues in Health.
  • Critical Issues in Higher Education.
  • Critical Issues in the Energy Sector.
  • Policy Challenges of the Aging Society in Sri Lanka.
  • The Quality of the Environment.
  • Needs of Adolescents and Youths - Policies and institutional responses.   

(ii)  Democratic processes

  • Policies and institutions for  promoting participatory governance- operationalising the principle of subsidiary  and sovereignty of the people.
  • Accountability , Access to public information and the right to information  on all state activities from the GN Division upwards.
  • Civil Society action to Prevent Corruption - promoting an anti-corruption culture.
  • Review of Institutions under the 17th Amendment.
  • Parliament  and the Democratic Process.
  • Political Parties and Accountability of Politicians.
  • The Public Accountability of Civil Society Organizations.
  • Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

(c) Resolving the Ethnic Conflict and promoting Peace

  • Constitutional Reforms for a Lasting Political Settlement.
  • Human Rights – International Surveillance and National Capacity for Protection of Human Rights.
  • Truth and Reconciliation  for Peace – Unresolved  Issues of Past Human Rights Violations.
  • The Transition from Militancy and Armed struggle to democratic politics.
  • Participatory Processes and Institutions for Human Security - the Relations between Police Armed Forces and the People.
  • Inter- religious Dialogue for Ethnic and Religious Harmony and Peace Building