Rebuild Serendib

Interested in helping change education in Sri Lanka? If you’ll like to teach, the Avinya Foundation is looking for passionate educators to join their team.If you are interested, scan the QR code and follow instructions to apply. Applications close on Sunday, 4 September 2022. Spread the word!

https://www.avinyafoundation.org/home/foundation-programme-educators/faq

Looking for a few good men (and women) to take out the trash and haul it to court, not the escape route.

How the Rajapakse’s Destroyed Sri Lanka’s Economy.

Crony capitalism, protectionism, and corruption have caused havoc—uniting various ethnic groups, including Sinhalese Buddhists, in protest against the regime.

“The unraveling that began in 2005 only accelerated in 2019. The government failed to deliver justice for the victims of the Easter Attacks and alienated minorities by forcibly cremating Muslims and Christians who died of COVID-19. (Although cremation is a traditional funeral rite for Hindus and Buddhists, Christians and Muslims bury their deceased loved ones.)”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/28/sri-lanka-rajapaksa-protests-economy-corruption/

How much can a collective consciousness move the needle for Sri Lanka?

Plenty.

Watch the video of Peter d’Almeida’s talk in its entirety and share it with others you need to draw into the collective action of todays concern.

https://youtu.be/C9OmN9O_v8U

Hiran Abeysekara, Olivier award winner for Best Actor for his role in Life of Pi. Here he is being a human being helping with cleanup at the Galle Face protest grounds. Respect✊🏽

Well done, brother! 👏🏽

Let us create a new Sri Lanka where great theatre, science, technology, amazing food, the arts, and much more doesnt just begin but flourishes.

Hiran Abeysekara

The general strike is a powerful tool. Used correctly it has won wars, freed salves, equalized pay, created jobs, and stopped oppression. In short, it has been the tool of successful revolutions. As the first day of General strikes begin in Sri Lanka, let the message be clear, strong, consistent, and unyielding that change is around the corner and justice cannot be compromised.



https://socialism.com/fs-article/the-general-strike-in-us-history-what-it-is-and-why-its-still-needed/

Sri Lanka offers a rich contribution to archaeology. This is a depiction of Balangoda Man.

Found in Balangoda Sri Lanka, the remains of Balangoda Man go back to around 38,000 years. Tools found alongside this archaeological site can be linked to similar geometric shapes found in Africa and are thought to be some of the oldest known tools made by modern man (Homo sapiens sapiens)

https://roar.media/english/life/history/the-life-and-times-of-balangoda-man

Protests organized in the USA to raise awareness.

Join us at 12:30PM on May 1st at Cloud Gate in Chicago!

How to donate to the Sri Lankan medical crisis Over the next six months, we’ll need millions of units of medicine and equipment. Here’s introducing Elixir, and how you can help out.

Volunteer at GotaGoGama here

Home | GotaGoGama Digital The GotaGoGama Digital Website is a non-profit organization that may be run by a group of youths, intended to facilitate managing work on the battlefield and to serve as a valuable tool for accessing the information on the battlefield.

The list of attendees at the first ever (2021 late November) U.S. organized Virtual Democracy Summit. Some countries were not invited and it is worth noting how the invitation list was developed and what could have led to some not being invited.

Hint: Russia, China, Sri Lanka not invited.

https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/11/22/who-s-in-and-who-s-out-from-biden-s-democracy-summit-pub-85822

DIRECTION SRI LANKA
Independent Professionals for the Nation
19th April 2022

STATEMENT WITH PROPOSALS: THE WAY FORWARD FROM THE PRESENT CRISIS

A group of concerned professionals consisting largely of legal and medical practitioners under the banner of “Direction Sri Lanka – Independent Professionals for the Nation” met on the 18th and 19th of April 2022 in order to discuss the prevailing situation in the country.

The group deliberated at length;
i. the dire economic and social distress presently faced by all Sri Lankans and the proximate causes that led to the persistent demands of protestors throughout the country;
ii. The possibility of the current situation escalating to a complete breakdown in the Rule of Law resulting in a state of anarchy; and
iii. The immediate action that needs to be taken to address this serious situation, within the framework of the Constitution and the Law.

The group resolved that;
1) THE FOLLOWING ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY

a)HisExcellencythePresidenttoresignforthwithinresponsetothedemandsofthePeople.
[Article 38 (1) (b) of the Constitution provides for the resignation of the President by means of a communication addressed to the Speaker.]
b) A Successor President be elected.
[Article 40 (1) (a) of the Constitution provides for Parliament to elect as President one of its Members for the unexpired period of office.]
c) The Prime Minister to forthwith resign after the election of the Successor President.
[Article 47 (2) (b) of the Constitution provides for the resignation of the Prime Minister by means of a communication addressed to the President. Upon the resignation of the Prime Minister, the entire Cabinet stands dissolved.]
- A Step Towards Change -
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DIRECTION SRI LANKA
Independent Professionals for the Nation
d) A Caretaker / Interim National Government be immediately formed comprising a new Prime Minister and a Cabinet limited to 18 essential portfolios along with an equal number of Deputy Ministers, representing all political parties.
- The Caretaker / Interim National Government shall function for a maximum period of one year.
- The persons holding portfolios in the Caretaker / Interim Cabinet should have adequate and appropriate educational qualifications and specialized skills required to hold the respective portfolios and should be persons of the highest integrity.
- Members of Parliament on the National List should be encouraged to resign as necessary, to pave way for professionals / experts of the highest integrity to be represented in the Caretaker / Interim National Government.
e) As a priority during the period of the Caretaker / Interim National Government, action should be taken to rescind the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and to reintroduce the provisions of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution with necessary amendments addressing the democratic way of governance.
f) Immediately upon the reintroduction of the 19th Amendment, steps to be taken to appoint persons with the highest integrity and ability to the Independent Commissions.
2) MANDATORYPROGRAMMEOFACTIONFORTHECARETAKER/INTERIMNATIONAL GOVERNMENT
a) Have a moratorium on the sale of the Country's Assets (This will not be a bar for investments to come into the Country subject to due procedures, process and transparency).
b) Establish through legislation, a transparent Government Procurement Process which ensures accountability and the interest of the Country at all times.
c) Appoint a group of experts with core competencies in economic management to advice the Government on the steps to be taken to revive the economy of the country.
d) Upon such advice;
- A Step Towards Change -
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DIRECTION SRI LANKA
Independent Professionals for the Nation
- Secure Bridge Financing at concessionary interest rates and conditions. No commercial financing with commercial interest rates to be obtained during this period.
- Conclude agreements with the IMF and other Financial Agencies following due parliamentary process and with complete transparency.
- Take prompt action to ensure the provision of essential services and supplies to the public.
- Take all measures to stabilize the Rupee.
e) Hold National Elections (Presidential and Parliamentary as appropriate) within a maximum period of one year and enact such Constitutional amendments as may be necessary, reflecting the will of the people.
[In the attendant special circumstances and the weak economic situation, priority to be given to the conduct of National Elections respectively, over other elections including Local Government and Provincial Council Elections.]
f) Strictly observe the Rule of Law including the measures to protect and consolidate the wealth of the nation.
g) Take immediate measures to ensure the efficacy of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption.
We call upon the Government and the Opposition to take concerted action to ensure that the foregoing is implemented immediately.
Whilst we were in the process of drafting this Statement with Proposals, we heard the news of the death of a protester due to gunshot injuries. The use of lethal force against unarmed protesters is unacceptable and inexcusable. We unreservedly and unequivocally condemn such action. Such conduct will only result in infuriating the people.
We therefore call upon the Government to act with utmost restraint and ensure that the Fundamental Rights of the people including the Rights to Peaceful Protest and of Association, are protected and safeguarded.
- A Step Towards Change -
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DIRECTION SRI LANKA
Independent Professionals for the Nation
On behalf of the People of Sri Lanka;
(In alphabetical order)
Mr. Ramzara Abdeen, AAL
Mr. Neville Abeyratne, PC
Mr. Geoffrey Alagaratnam, PC
Mr. Mohamed Adamaly, AAL
Dr. Ajith Amarasingha
Dr. Naomali Amarasena
Mr. Rajeev Amarasuriya, AAL
Mr. Naceen Anthonypillai
Mr. Rienzie Arasakularatne, PC
Mr. G.G. Arulpragasam, AAL
Dr. Sunil Cooray, AAL
Mr. Prasantha Lal De Alwis, PC
Mr. Chanaka De Silva, PC
Dr. Sarath De Silva
Prof. Harendra De Silva
Dr. Sarath Gamini De Silva
Father Noel Dias, AAL
Mr. Dulitha Fernando
Prof. Ranvindra Fernando
Dr. Amitha Fernando
Mr. Nipuna Ganegoda
Dr. Upul Gunasekera
Mrs. Shiranthi Gunawardena, AAL
Dr. Rohan Gunawardene
Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa
Prof. Siri Hettige
Mr. Gazzali Hussain, AAL
Mr. Kalinga Indatissa, PC
Mr. Nalinda Indatissa, PC
Mr. S.T. Jayanaga, PC
Mr. Janek Jayasekara
Mr. Shantha Jayawardena, AAL
Mr. Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi, AAL
Mr. Namal Karunaratne, AAL
Prof. Indika Karunathilleke
Prof. Prasad Katulanda
Mr. Thejitha Koralage, AAL
Dr. A. L. M. Nazar
Dr. S. Marasinghe
Mr. Ikram Mohamed, PC
Mr. Udara Muhandiramge, AAL
Mr. Faisz Musthapha, PC
Mr. Dinuka Perera
Dr. Nilupul Perera
Mr. Srinath Perera, PC
Mr. Dinal Philips, PC
Mr. Anushka Polonowita
Mr. Anuja Premaratne, PC
Mr. V. Puvitharan, PC
Dr. M. R. Ragunathan
Dr. Lalantha Ranasinghe
Mr. Pasindu Silva, AAL
Dr. Manilka Sumanathileke
Mr. Chavinka Sumanthilleke
Mr. Chrishmal Warnasuriya, AAL
Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama
Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne
- A Step Towards Change -
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Lankans are making history by bloodlessly bringing an autocracy to its knees: Krishantha Cooray | Daily FT Both a political activist and a corporate and media personality, Krishantha Prasad Cooray is not known to mince words and is quite forthright. He was former Chairman of Hotel Developers (Lanka) Plc, which owns Hilton Colombo, Lake House and Independent Non-Executive Director at DFCC Bank as well as....

Every day that passes by is one more day that could have been two.

Sri Lanka’s road to IMF, explained We take a look at how (and why) our current is unprecedented, how we ended up announcing a default, and what the IMF has to do with all this.

Rebuild Serendib updated their address.

At this moment Sri Lanka is the definition of a failed state.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/failed-state

failed state 1. a country whose government is considered to have failed at some of its basic…

US$8 Billion to be raised by the sale or lease of valuable public assets.

Katunayake International Airport $2 Billion
Mattala Airport $300 Million
Ratmalana Airport $400 Million
Colombo Telecom $500 Million
Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation $300 Million
Colombo North Port Development Project $600 Million
And Port City Lands for $4 Billion

The people of Sri Lanka are cleaning up their house.

Obtain unique and relevant social media content to achieve the goals of building a better new Sri Lanka.

This individual is tasked with the following:

1) Building a list of key news outlets, social media channels, and influencers that generate and share reliable, truthful, relevant information regarding economic, policies, government, business, social and educational issues in Sri Lanka.

2) Providing frequent updates on the changing circumstances and needs to help modify our goals and activities as needed.

3) Be a strong proponent of democracy, transparency, and seeking ethnic unity for a better Sri Lanka.

This is a short term temporary role currently estimated to last from April 15 - May 30, 2022.

LOCATION: Sri Lanka.

Pay for this role is based on your writing skills, quality of social media posts, and general fit for this role.

Time expectation: 1-3 hours per day (not to exceed 20 hours per week).
Pay range: Rs.500- Rs.700 per hour.