The National Peace Council (NPC) was established as an independent and non partisan, non-government organization to promote a negotiated political settlement to ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and a power sharing system of governance that would meet the national aspirations of the country's ethnic communites..
Primary goals
* promote negotiated settlement
* explain power sharing forms of government
* build up peace movement
* address issues of reconciliation
Peace building is at t...
Registered under 1) Voluntary Social Services Organisations Act No 31 of 1980, and 2) Companies Act No 17 of 1982
Acronym :
NPC
Date of creation :
1995-02-02
Number of members :
50
The National Peace Council (NPC) was established as an independent and non partisan, non-government organization to promote a negotiated political settlement to ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and a power sharing system of governance that would meet the national aspirations of the country's ethnic communites..
Primary goals
* promote negotiated settlement
* explain power sharing forms of government
* build up peace movement
* address issues of reconciliation
Peace building is at the core of National Peace Council's programme that involves the creation of a conducive environment for peace and conflict transformation through non-violent means. In pursuit of this goal, the organization has designed its programmes to tackle the mobilization of civil society towards peace and a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict, through education, awareness building and dialogue.
Activities
The NPC conducts various kinds of activities to achieve its objectives and goals as set out in the strategic planning for the period 2005-2007.
1. Mobilization of community support for a political solution
2. Establishment of networks and coalition building
3. Response and intervention to situations affecting the peace process
4. Peace Education
5. Research and Analysis
6. Gender and mainstreaming women’s participation
7. Media and advocacy
Ven.Dr Pallekande Ratanasara Thero, Chief Monk, Amarasekerarmaya, Kelaniya
Javid Yusuf, fomrer Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Joe William, Advisor, Canadian International Development Agency
Dr.T.Jayasingam, Lecturer, Eastern University
Dr Anita Nesiah, Consultant, World Vision
General Secretary
Kingsley Rodrigo, Chairman, People's Action for Free and Fair Elections
Assistant General Secretary
Dr S H Hasbullah, Lecturer, Peradeniya University
Treasurer
Tony Senewiratne, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanities
Assistant Treasurer
G.V.D. Thilakasiri, General Secretary, Free Trade Union Development Centre
Other Members
M H M Niyaz, Businessman
Elmo Alles, Naturalist
Rev.Sr. Mary Barbara, Provincial, Apostolic Carmel
Prof. M S Mookiah, Professor, Peradeniya University
Dr.Jehan Perera, Executive Director, National Peace Council
Mano Rajasingham, Director, Mandru
J.V. Thambar, Retired Director, Social Welfare Department
R M B Senanayake, Retired Civil Service
Saroja Sivachandran, President, Women's Development Centre
Visaka Dharmadasa, Director, Association of Women against War
The context of the formation of the National Peace Council was the ethnic conflict. The National Peace Council (NPC) was established as an independent, non-partisan national non-government network organization on 2 February 1995. This was at a National Peace Conference attended by over 100 organisations and individuals. The conference decided on the following objectives: facilitating a grassroots peace movement within the country, building national capacity to ensure negotiated settlement between conflicting parties in Sri Lanka, and addressing issues of reconciliation in support of sustainable peace. NPC was the successor organization of the Peace Task Force, a consortium of individuals and organizations working collaboratively to promote nonviolent elections during the presidential election of July 1994.
The milestones achieved by NPC are listed below.
1995
- NPC was established as a result of Sri Lanka’s first National Peace Conference in November 1994.
- “Saama Yaama” Peace Rally was held at Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo.
1996
- A delegation of MPs facilitated by NPC visited Northern Island. The multi-partisan group issued a joint statement from Northern Iseland.
1997
- A mass media campaign for press, radio and television based on the theme ‘Peace for Children – War Will Not Win Peace’ won the gold award for social advertising and the bronze award for campaign of the year in 1997 at the Sri Lanka Institute for Marketing (SLIM) Marketing Awards.
1998
- A National Peace Delegates Conference was held in Colombo for 1,700 representatives from various segments of the community.
1999
- Commenced a program for local level UNP and PA politicians in Matara with the assistance of national level politicians.
- Helped to set up the People’s Peace Front (PPF) to be a national network of organizations working for peace and Democracy, representing nearly 150 Organizations Island wide.
2000
- Played a key role in the process of forming a World Bank supported policy framework for relief, rehabilitation and reconciliation for Sri Lanka by holding a series of needs-assessment workshops for 10 social sectors.
- Published a pioneering public opinion survey in collaboration wit the University of Colombo with regard to peace negotiations with the LTTE and the type of political solution that was envisaged.
- A group of 12 senior journalists visited media establishments in India on a study tour facilitated by NPC to examine how Indian media reported conflict.
2001
- Conducted a major research study in to the cost of War in collaboration with the Marga Institute
2002
- Expanded the outreach program through the formation of district networks in 10 selected districts of the country to bring about the constructive participation of women as civil society actors in the peace process.
- Mobilized over 80 civil society groups and worked as the lead organization in forming a national network, which resulted in the establishment of the National Anti War Front, which is today the largest network of organizations working for peace.
2003
- Displayed a photographic exhibition comprising 340 photographs in several parts of the country to mark the first anniversary of the ceasefire. The exhibition was also shown in Parliament – the first time that a non governmental organization had been granted permission to conduct an educational exhibition within Parliament.
- NPC organized thousands of people from all over the country to celebrate the 1st year completion of Cease fire Agreement and to support for Peace Process.
2004
- Conducted a major pre-election campaign in ten districts. This campaign provided space for people from all these districts to voice their views on peace, the peace process and good governance.
- The gender program which operates in ten districts also continued to further strengthen and mobilize women. The project is aimed at building capacity in women so as to enable them to enter into decision making roles in peace and public life.
- NPC organized the 2nd year celebration of Cease fire Agreement. NPC organized a historic exposure visit of Southern Journalists numbering 50 to Kilinochchi to meet LTTE Leaders.
2005
- NPC organized 8 People’s Forums in districts which represents all folks of life to discuss their local issues as well as support for Peace Process at National Level.
- NPC issued relief to Tsunami Victims in South, North and East.
- NPC organized two fact finding missions, one in the South and the other in the east.
- NPC, besides 4 major activities, celebrated the 3rd year completion of Cease Fire Agreement with a Religious Leaders’ Conference headed by 350 Religious Leaders.
2006
- NPC celebrated the 4th year completion of Cease Fire Agreement and International Peace Day with the participation of thousands of local masses and delegates.
- Setting up / strengthening networks in 19 districts representing all communities and also conducting introductory Federal and conflict resolution workshops for 2 days.
- NPC organized a District Civil Society delegate’s conference for the International Human Rights Day on 13th December 2006. 1806 delegates attended this program and endorsed a resolution calling for the halt of war and negotiation for political settlement.
NPC has a broad engagement with civil society organizations, primarily targeting groups directly affected by Sri Lanka's civil war, and who have the capacity to in turn extend the peace building effort to their respective constituents. NPC works at the local, provincial, and national level with: government and political party representatives; nongovernment organizations; religious organizations; trade unions; journalists; Theatre groups; in addition to associations of directly affected stakeholders. Maintaining its character as an umbrella organisation NPC has a twenty member board drawn from the leadership of different organizations and ethnicities, and it focuses on working through partnerships with other organisations. Currently NPC has over twenty partner organisations that are based in in the districts.
NPC implements activities through its partner organizations. This creates ownership of projects that are undertaken. Capacity building is an important part of NPC’s endeavour. In pursuit of its goal of achieving a peaceful resolution to the ethnic conflict, NPC has undertaken numerous activities, both individually and collectively with its network and coalition partners, to increase the scope and reach of its message of peace building. An analysis of its past activities reveal the organization’s commitment to mobilizing civil society groups towards adopting non-violent strategies for peace and conflict resolution. The emphasis on media campaigns; the organization of peace rallies; research and awareness building programs have constituted the core of its activities. Furthermore, NPC’s sphere of influence is evident in the advisory role it has played, with regard to promoting inclusiveness and co-operation among the parties to the peace process.
NPC has difficulties in sustaining the network as the district partners require financial support to undertake activities. There are also difficulties in finding suitably qualified management staff who can raise funds, write reports, and manage large scale programmes and also share the vision of the National Peace Council.
Missions of the NGO national platform
Mandate & Programs: The National Peace Council’s aims are:
▪ Catalysing a people's movement for peace
▪ Creating a suitable environment for renewed negotiations.
▪ Addressing post conflict issues in order to ensure a sustainable peace
Their approach to peace building in Sri Lanka employs a combination of tools and approaches, including: advocacy, research, training, mobilization, and dialogues. Some examples include:
▪ Capacity building: Developing the capacity building of grass roots constituencies in targeted districts to advance constructive dialogue and support for local, regional, and national peace building initiatives.
▪ Media/Awareness Campaigns: NPC has carried out multi media campaigns with the objective of raising awareness about the war and the need to bring about a negotiated settlement. NPC’s programs Subharathi (Sinhala) and Vidiyum Velai (Tamil) on state radio have sought to catalyze public opinion and engender productive dialogue relating to the peace process
▪ Research: Together with the Marga Institute, NPC conducted a study entitled “ The Cost of War” which researched the economic, human and social-political costs of the civil war in Sri Lanka. It also utilizes opinion polls as an integral part of their research strategies.
▪ Conflict Resolution Training: NPC conducts conflict resolution training for different sectors of Sri Lankan, including parliamentarians, journalists, unions, teachers, NGOs, and tea plantation workers. The work with parliamentarians included multi-stakeholder dialogues between representatives of different political parties, drawing from lessons learned elsewhere in the world.
▪ Public Gatherings: NPC uses public gatherings to advance their peace mandate including such events as art festivals, a national peace delegate's convention, and district peace conventions. During the national elections of early 2004, NPC organized peoples’ forums in 10 districts to promote non-violent, free and fair elections.
The vision of the National Peace Council (NPC) is to see :
1) a negotiated political settlement that gives birth to a peaceful and politically restructured Sri Lanka
2) in which the LTTE is included as an integral part of the solution and
3) the national aspiration of all sectors of Sri Lankan society are respected and met.
By way of contrast, the Sri Lankan government is presently engaged in a war against the LTTE, which it describes as a terrorist organisation. The present government also does not agree that there is an ethnic conflict in the country.
NPC conveys its stand through media campaigns, workshops, seminars and conferences. Also by personal lobbying efforts.
Official statements of the National Peace Council are issued as Media Releases. They are approved by the Governing Council of the organization, which consists of 20 persons representing the diverse constituencies for peace in the country.
Functioning and governing of the NGO national platform
The following are various statutes/modes coming under both the National level and the Provincial/Divisional level: 1.Voluntary Social Service Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Act, No.31 of 1980 and Amendment Act, No.8 of 1998. 2. Companies Act, No.17 of 1982, Section 21. 3. Special Acts of Parliament. 4. Co-operative Societies Law of 1972. 5. Societies Ordinance of 1891, as amended. 6. Development Act, No.46 of 2000 7 . Rural Development Societies 8 . Protection of the Elders Rights Act No.9 of 2000. 9. Consumer Affairs Authority Act. 10. Trusts Ordinance.
The National Peace Council is registered under Categories 1 and 2 above. ie. 1.Voluntary Social Service Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Act, No.31 of 1980 and Amendment Act, No.8 of 1998. 2. Companies Act, No.17 of 1982, Section 21.
The Governing Structure of the organisation includes the Annual General Meeting, the Presidium, the Governing Council, the Management Committee, an Executive Director and a Strategic Planning Committee. All members are invited to the Annual General Meeting which appoints the five Presidium Members and the Governing Council. According to the Articles of Association the Presidium members should be representative of ethnic and religious groups. Furthermore, an effort should be made to maintain the gender balance in electing members to the Presidium. The Governing Council has 20 members also elected at the AGM. According to the Articles of Association, the power of the organisation is vested with the Governing Council (GC). Its power cover a wide range of issues including the review and approval of all expenditure and funding allocations ((d) in the articles) and to determine and regulate the duties and functions of the office bearers. The Articles also specify the duties of the five Presidium members which are to: function in an overall advisory capacity over the activities of NPC, play a mediatory and conciliatory role in setting disputes within the organisation, preside at the meetings of the Governing Council, general and annual general meetings of the organisation. The Management Committee should according to the Articles guide, supervise and carry out the management functions of the organisation and act as the executive arm of the Governing Council. The Management Committee is appointed by the Governing Council. The Executive Director and the unit Heads are also invited to participate. However, the staff (unit heads) are not members of the Management Committee, and the sessions are chaired by a member of the Governing Council (GC). In reality the GC members holds the decisive power in the committee, and staff presents issues and the GC members decide. When analysing the Articles of Association as well as how NPC is run in practice, it becomes clear that the power is centralised in the Governing Council and its extension into the Management Committee. Unlike many of the other comparable civil society organisations, the NPC Governing Council not only has powers over policy and strategic issues, but is also involved on ''day to day'' management issues. It is the office bearers of the Governing Council who sit in the Management Committee who exercise this authority. Almost all operative decisions have to be referred to the Management Committee or the Governing Council as befits an umbrella organisation.
Internal rules and ethics
Does your NPF have internal rules?
oui
Does your NPF have code of ethics or other similar documents?
Yes, the organization has an Administrative Manual which it follows. It also has strict audit controls, including an international auditor, internal audits and project-specific audits.
Have you changed the code of ethics or internal rules in the last 5 years?
Members have to pay an annual fee of SLR 200. They have also to abide by the vision of NPC, which is to see a negotiated political settlement give birth to a peaceful and politically restructured Sri Lanka and the national aspirations of all sectors of Sri Lankan society are respected and met. This include upholding the positions that peace in Sri Lanka has to be obtained through peaceful means and that the polity is restructured to enable full participation in governance by the ethnic minority nationalities.
Do you have international institutions as members (associations, NGO movements)?
non
No. However, collaborative work has been done with international networks such as the South Asia Forum for Human Rights, Forum Asia, the Mahanirban Research Centre and the Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections.
All 50 full members of the National Peace Council receive information and invitations to NPC activities. In addition, NPC has a large list of partners and other participants in NPC activities who are on the mailing and email lists.
Governing of the ngo platform
Board members are elected at the Annual General Meeting. All members are invited to the Annual General Meeting which appoints the five Presidium Members and the Governing Council. According to the Articles of Association the Presidium members should be representative of ethnic and religious groups. Furthermore, an effort should be made to maintain the gender balance in electing members to the Presidium. The Governing Council has 20 members also elected at the AGM. According to the Articles of Association, the power of the organisation is vested with the Governing Council (GC). Its power cover a wide range of issues including the review and approval of all expenditure and funding allocations ((d) in the articles) and to determine and regulate the duties and functions of the office bearers. The Articles also specify the duties of the five Presidium members which are to: function in an overall advisory capacity over the activities of NPC, play a mediatory and conciliatory role in setting disputes within the organisation, preside at the meetings of the Governing Council, general and annual general meetings of the organisation. The Management Committee should according to the Articles guide, supervise and carry out the management functions of the organisation and act as the executive arm of the Governing Council. The Management Committee is appointed by the Governing Council. The Executive Director and the unit Heads are also invited to participate. However, the staff (unit heads) are not members of the Management Committee, and the sessions are chaired by a member of the Governing Council (GC).
The general body elects the office bearers of the organization. They also participate through sub committees and as resource persons in the work of the organization.
Are there other governing bodies in your NPF?
oui
Apart from the Governing Council, which is the supreme decision making body (apart from the Annual General Meeting), other important decision making bodies are the Board of Directors, the Management Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee.
2004 : Maximum membership was been fixed at 50.
2005 :50
2006 :50
Do you have work groups or thematic commissions?
oui
Media Interventions through mass media publicity campaigns ; Mobilization of community support for a political solution, through the establishment of networks and coalition building ; Response and intervention to situations affecting the peace process ; Peace Education ; Research and Analysis ; Women’s participation in Peace Building.
Do you assess the expectations or needs of your members?
oui
Yes, by regular meetings.
Relation with sponsors
Does your government provide reinforcement policies for NGOs?
non
The government does not provide any financial assistance to social action organizations. However, Sri Lanka has had, and continues to have, a very liberal framework in which NGOs may operate. National NGOs can access funding from foreign donors, whether governmental or non governmental, without any hindrance or requirement to obtain prior approval. The right of association is constitutionally guaranteed. International NGOs can also obtain the concurrence of a government ministry to operate and there is no limitation placed on the ministries that may be approached, and so in practice there is considerable flexibility. Despite the liberal framework within which NGOs operate, relations between the government and NGOs have fluctuated over time. At present the relations between the government and NGOs is strained. There is a perception within the nationalist section of the government that NGOs are anti national and pro LTTE as they call upon the government to revive the peace process with the LTTE, rather than engage in military confrontation with it.
Is there a specific financial system to reinforce the NGOs in your country (example: funds, special donations)? - If yes, what kind of capabilities do they support? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these funds? - Else, how does the NGO fund its capability-reinforcement program (staff training, research, strategic plans, organizational diagnosis…)?
Instead of financially supporting NGOs, the government proposes to tax them. In order to capture at least a small part of the large new revenues accruing to the NGO sector, the government passed new legislation that imposed a tax on NGO incomes in 2005. There is still a lack of certainty as to which NGOs will be liable to pay this tax, whether it is only NGOs who have received funds for relief and reconstruction work, or whether this will encompass development and advocacy oriented NGOs as well. The amount of the tax is relatively small, being about one percent of income received.
Sida since 1996. Presently Core Funding. Future funding expected.
Norad since 1997. Presently Core Funding. Future funding expected.
EC since 2002. Presently Gender empowerment. Until 2008.
USAID since 2005. Presently People’s Forums. Until end 2007
CAFOD since 1996. Presently Federalism workshops. Until end 2008
Donors have been generally very supportive of peace work are cognizant of the risks, and the need for Sri Lankans to decide on what they need to do.
Relation with other associations, ngos
Do you work with international NGOs, international networks, and national NGO platforms from countries other than yours?
oui
Yes, on a limited scale. We have worked closely in the past with International Alert, London (International exchange visits for Politicians), South Asia Forum for Human Rights (International seminars and conferences) and Mahanirban Research Centre, Calcutta (research on Internally Displaced Persons).
Are there other NPFs or national NGO networks in your country?
At present the nearest to a national NGO platform would be the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA). But as its name suggests this has been largely limited to organizations performing a humanitarian role in the conflict zones of the north and east. Other existing NGO platforms would be PAFFREL (People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections) that works with a large number of partner organizations, especially at election time. There is no national NGO platform that seeks to bring together all NGOs. There were at least three such efforts in the past that functioned under the names of National NGO Council, Central Council of Social Service Organisations and People’s Peace Front, but they have fallen into abeyance. Invariably, NGO platforms have witnessed infighting for positions within the structure and collapse thereafter, or else they become organizations that are controlled by one or two persons and hence lose their legitimacy even if they continue to receive donor funding.
Do you work with these NPFs and/or national NGO networks?
The effective breakdown of the Ceasefire Agreement between the government and LTTE in 2006 has contributed to a fresh wave of criticism and hostility being directed against NGOs. Those in the forefront of negative posturing have been the government and its nationalist allies. They have accused the NGOs of working to foreign agendas and being pro-LTTE. They are accused of creating an unfavourable impression of the government, and also of giving indirect material assistance to the LTTE by sending relief items to LTTE-held areas. Over the past year there have been regular attacks against NGOs in the state controlled media and even some physical attacks against their programmes on the ground. On the other hand, as the NGO sector is a large and vibrant one, and is strongly supported by the international community, the NGOs have been able to continue with most of their work. Linking with international platforms can further strengthen Sri Lankan civil society and NGO groups to withstand the challenges of the present.
Legal framework is only available in French français :Cadre légal*
Le droit d’association est défini par l’article 14 de la Constitution de 1978. Le droit de former ou de s’affilier à un syndicat est également reconnu. Les limites susceptibles d’être apportées à ces deux droits (article 15 de la Constitution) sont entendues de manière large. Les restrictions peuvent être justifiées par de nombreuses causes : l’harmonie raciale et religieuse, l’économie nationale, le respect des droits et libertés des tiers, le bien-être d’une société démocratique. En vue de maintenir la discipline en leur sein, les forces de l’ordre font l’objet de restrictions particulières (paragraphe 8).
2 - Droit des associations
Sur le plan légal, l’enregistrement des associations ne représente pas une condition constitutive de celles-ci. Cette formalité, facultative, prévue par le Registration and Supervisory of Voluntary Social Service Organizations Act n°31 de 1980, s’effectue, pour les association agissant à l’échelon national, auprès du Secrétariat national pour les associations placé auprès du ministère des Affaires Sociales. Les associations actives sur le plan local, plus connues sous le nom de « community-based organisations » (CBO), doivent s’adresser aux autorités locales pour leur enregistrement.
3 – Autres formes juridiques
Associations du Company Act
Les mutuelles, les caisses d’épargne et les sociétés d’entraide, de même que les associations dont l’objet est déclaré, par décision ministérielle, comme ouvrant droit à enregistrement,peuvent s’enregistrer sous le régime du Company Act. On parle alors de « specially authorised societies », vocable s’appliquant à des associations caritatives à caractère social ou religieux. Suivant cette procédure, l’enregistrement est subordonné au respect de certaines conditions relatives au capital et à la composition del’organisation. Il se fait auprès du « Registrar of companies ». Cet organe d’enregistrement unique et commun aux associations et sociétésdispose de bureaux régionaux.
Syndicats et Coopératives
Les syndicats et les coopératives doivent être inscrits respectivement au ministère du Travail et au ministère des coopératives.
4 - Fiscalité
Différents dispositifs fiscaux s’appliquent aux associations dont l’objet est la charité. L’impôt sur les bénéfices ne leur est applicable qu’à hauteur de 10 % et elles ne sont pas imposées pour la partie de leurs activités considérée comme caritative. Cette exemption est cependant limitée aux revenus n’excédant pas un montant de 2 300 €uros.
La reconstruction post-tsunami, confiée à une multitude d’associations financées par des dons étrangers, a suscité l’apparition de nouveaux instruments fiscaux. Ainsi, un prélèvement particulier de 30 % est-il appliqué sur 3 % des dons reçus par les associations depuis le 1er avril 2005. La plupart des associations à caractère caritatif bénéficient cependant d’une exemption accordée sur demande. Le paiement d’un timbre fiscal lors de toute opération financière, y compris le paiement de salaires et l’utilisation d’une carte bancaire, est également annoncé.
Les importations font l’objet de droits de douane très élevés dont les associations ne sont pas exemptées. Seuls les instruments de haute technologie non disponibles dans le pays ainsi que les objets figurant sur une liste définie de manière très restrictive peuvent faire l’objet d’une exemption.
5 – Reconnaissance d’utilité publique
Une centaine d’associations composées exclusivement de personnes privées bénéficie d’un statut d’intérêt public défini par décision spécifique du Parlement. Après publication de l’acte constitutif de l’association, un rapport du ministre compétent et un vote en assemblée plénière, la reconnaissance du caractère d’utilité publique est accordée par le Parlement. Cet acte confère aux associations le statut d’associations d’utilité publique. La durée de cette procédureexcède généralement six mois.
6 - Associations de droit étranger
Les associations étrangères doivent s’enregistrer obligatoirement auprès du ministère des Affaires Sociales sous unstatut d’association de droit sri-lankais. Cet enregistrement permet de jouir de droits comme le permis de circuler dans certaines zones non contrôlées par le gouvernement. Le travail des associations dans les zones du Nord-Est occupées par les Tigres Tamouls doit être autorisé par le Gouvernement sri lankais, moyennant un agrément du Ministère de la Défense (Contradiction).
La durée de la procédure d’enregistrement varie considérablement en fonction de facteurs peu intelligibles.
Si beaucoup de petites associations étrangères ont pu travailler, les premiers mois qui ont suivi le tsunami de 2005 sans être enregistrées, la reconnaissance juridique est devenue incontournable pour la poursuite de leurs activités.
7 - Relations Etat/monde associatif
Les relations, généralement bonnes au niveau local où l’administration reconnaît la compétence et le dévouement des associations, sont parfois empreintes de méfiance au niveau national. Si le gouvernement s’adresse régulièrement aux associations nationales et étrangères pour la mise en œuvre de grands programmes de développement, il manifeste une certaine hostilité à l’encontre des associations exerçant leurs activités dans les zones tenues par la guérilla Tamoule (le LLTE). L’importance des financements que reçoivent certaines de la part d’institutions internationales suscite aussi son appétit (d’où la taxation spécifique déjà signalée).
La législation relative aux associations fait aujourd’hui l’objet d’un projet de refonte globale, motivé par un désir de contrôle renforcé de l’activité des associations. L’obligation faite à toute association nationale de présenter annuellement ses comptes attestés par un audit externe a été étendue aux associations étrangères. Une commission parlementaire a notamment été mise sur pied afin de contrôler leur travail. Le Secrétariat du ministère des Services Sociaux (chargé de gérer les enregistrements) a lancé une enquête dont l’objet est d’actualiser la liste des associations. Celles qui ne répondront pas à ses demandes d’information et ne communiqueront pas leurs comptes consolidés selon les normes locales seront radiées.
Le gouvernement entend en particulier mieux contrôler les associations étrangères. Un comité a été chargé de déterminer de nouvelles modalités d’enregistrement, de déclaration et de contrôle des fonds d’origine étrangère. Toute association internationale ou nationale recevant des financements de l’étranger a été invitée à se faire enregistrer à nouveau, cette formalité étant soumise à l’approbation préalable (« clearance ») des ministères de la Défense, des Affaires étrangères, du suivi du Plan et du ministère technique correspondant aux activités de l’organisation. Elle doit fournir un plan d’action indiquant le type d’activités qu’elle propose d’entreprendre, les groupes de population cibles, le nombre d’employés et ses sources de financement. Toute association ayant des activités dans plus d’une région devra désormais être enregistrée au niveau national. Un « District Co-ordinating Committee for NGO » doit être créé dans chaque région, dont le Secrétariat sera chargé d’enregistrer les associations exerçant une activité sur ce territoire. Les associations travaillant dans le Nord se sont regroupéesen un Consortium pour l’Assistance et la Réhabilitation regroupant 35 membres permanents et 6 observateurs qui se réunit régulièrement avec des représentants de différents ministères.
Les paragraphes 6, 7 et 20 des « Counter Terrorism Regulations of Sri Lanka », publiés dans la gazette 1474/5 du 6 décembre 2006, prévoient une définition vague des actes de terrorisme. Des associations se sont inquiétées du fait que cette définition pourrait restreindre sévèrement les libertés d’expression, d’association et de réunion.
Une Commission des Droits de l’Homme de Sri Lanka (CDHSL) a été créée en 1996. Elle a pour fonction principale de surveiller le respect des droits de l’Homme et d’enquêter sur toute plainte de violation des droits fondamentaux. Elle conseille également le Gouvernement dans la rédaction d’actes législatifs afin d’assurer le respect du droit international. Basée à Colombo, elle dispose d’antennes régionales à travers le pays. Ses cinq membres sont nommés par le Gouvernement, en principe sur recommandation du Conseil constitutionnel pour une période de trois ans. Le Président de la République a décidé de passer outre en procédant directement à la nomination des membres sans tenir compte de la recommandation du Conseil constitutionnel, décision qui n’a pas manqué de susciter des inquiétudes. Or, le rapport de mars 2006 de la Représentante Spéciale sur les droits de l’Homme, Hina Jilani, signale qu’en octobre 2005, des individus non identifiés sont entrés dans les locaux de la Commission, ont détruit des dossiers et documents d’investigation.
8 - Caractéristiques principales de la vie associative
Le nombre des associations est estimé à 100 000, dont près de 3 000 seraient étrangères (avant le tsunami, on ne comptait qu’une cinquantaine d’associations étrangères actives dans le pays). Le secteur associatif joue un rôle important dans le pays.
La densité du tissu associatif est historiquement liée à la coexistence de plusieurs religions (bouddhisme, christianisme, hindouisme, islam) qui entretiennent chacune leurs propres réseaux. Ces associations s’efforcent d’accroître la solidarité au sein de chaque communauté et mènent souvent des activités alliant le caritatif au développement et à l’assistance humanitaire. Le modèle le plus achevé est le mouvement Sarvodaya qui, depuis sa création en 1972, s’est donné pour mission de créer un nouvel ordre social fondé sur les valeurs de vérité, de non-violence et de don de soi à travers lesquelles transparaissent les idéaux de la démocratie participative et l’influence de la philosophie gandhienne. Cette association est composée d’une dizaine d’associations à caractère confessionnel bouddhiste, et se trouve implantée dans près d’un tiers des communautés rurales.
Les associations locales fondées dans les années 1970-1980 sont principalement orientées vers des activités de développement. La vigueur de la vie associative tient également au développement, au cours des années 1980, de nombre d’organisations de défense des libertés fondamentales.
L’apport des associations étrangères en expertise et aide aux associations locales, tant financièrement qu’institutionnellement, est quant à lui très important dans le contexte de guerre civile qui prévaut au Nord.
français :Cadre légal*
Sri Lanka