1 Baklien, B. and Samarasinghe, D. (2003-2007). Alcohol & Poverty. Alcohol and Drug Information Centre. Colombo 2 Discussions with Women In Need. Colombo. (2008) Questions: 1. What are the reasons that led to the loss of Gunapala’s job? 2. What rights of him have been violated? 3. Although Gunapala is a boy of 15 years, how does his work to look after the family members affect his rights? Case Study 2: Ramakrishnan Ramakrishnan is 12 years old and lives with his parents and two sisters in an estate line room. As there was no school close by, Ramakrishnan and other boys of the estate studied at the village Muslim school. Ramakrishnan was given a bench on the last row and the Muslim children used to jeer at him very often. The difference in Tamil pronunciation and the wearing of clothes different to those of the Muslims were the reasons for such behavior. One day, Ramakrishnan went for the pooja in the kovil and went to school straightaway. The majority of Muslim boys looking at him said, “ Ah… Rama! You got up from a heap of ash? Why is there ash on your forehead? ..There is a red dot too !.... Like a woman !!”. One talkative boy approaching Rama insulted him further saying, “Ay machan… you all live in line rooms on the estate… You all cook, eat and sleep in the same room, don’t you? Last night you slept on the cooking spot, didn’t you?” Rama’s little mind was greatly hurt. He nearly cried. Going towards the teacher, Rama tried to say something looking down. The teacher reacted in an unexpected way and told him, “Get away..you come here having picked up quarrels? …Telling tales… back to your seat!” After coming home Rama said to his father, “Appa, I am not going to school again”. Questions: 1. What are the reasons that led to the incident faced by Rama ? 2. What rights of Rama were violated? 3. Should Rama enjoy equal rights as the other children in the school? Case Study 3: Tharangani Tharangani is a 44-year old social activist. She used to take up leadership roles making herself endeared to all in the village holding office in Women’s Societies and Death Donation Societies etc. Having obtained membership of the political party of which her father was a member, she supported that party in three of the lasts elections. Having intended to run for the Pradeshiya Sabha election of this time, she sought nomination for woman representation backed by the Women’s Board of Authority (Kantha Bala Mandalaya). The party of her membership rejected her request and did not give nomination to any other female. Tharangani teamed up with an independent group and hander over nomination for the Pradeshiya Sabha election. 100