Thanks to Marshal Zeringue!

Interviewed a member of University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) about their new report, which focuses on the final two months of the war in Sri Lanka, and in particular, its ramifications for civilians. Listen to SAJA webcast here (follow links). Apologies for technological difficulties… unexpectedly ran tech for the show, which I had never done before.

Reading and on a panel myself, shortly… so off I go.

A Discussion on the Diaspora
and Political Engagement in the Post-War Era

With the military conflict between the Sri Lankan state and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) over, much post-war discussion concerns the future of the country’s Tamil citizens. As international furor grows over the 250,000+ internally displaced people in government camps in the country’s north, the question remains: what is the path forward for minorities in the Sri Lanka? Protests by the Tamil diaspora show that many abroad still see militarism and secession as necessary to meet the aspirations of Tamils in Sri Lanka. The presentations and discussion will attempt to open up debates about the political future of Sri Lanka’s minority citizens.

With Presentations By:

Varuni Thiruchelvam, cello

Sashi Selvendran / Lanka Solidarity

reading by V. V. Ganeshananthan / Lanka Solidarity
Author of “Love Marriage”

Ahilan Kadirgamar, Sri Lanka Democracy Forum (SLDF)

Moderated By:
Cenan Pirani / Lanka Solidarity

Saturday, May 23th 2009 | 6:00PM
Alwan for the Arts
16 Beaver Street
4th Floor New York, NY 10004

http://www.alwanforthearts.org

Directions: Alwan is located in the Financial District between Broadway & Broad St
Subway: 4,5 Bowling Green / R,W Whitehall / 2,3 Wall Street/ J,M Broad Street / 1,9 South Ferry

Also: a discussion I moderated at the Asia Society, in New York. Full video is online… see here for Sri Lanka at a Crossroads: Humanitarian Crisis Looms as Government Forces Approach Victory.

Also, I just added a review to my reviews page! See a take on Love Marriage by Charles Sarvan, writing for Confluence magazine.

I am reading at one of my favorite bookstores in the world tomorrow: the estimable Prairie Lights, where I spent many hours as a graduate student. 7:30 p.m. Awesome! In fact, the state of Iowa is awesome. If you have any doubts about this, look at the photo above. That’s a rally in Iowa City, following the state Supreme Court’s decision that gay marriage will become legal here.

Thanks to my pal Laura for the photo.

Interestingly, the article describes me as an expatriate. That’s not true, although I would be proud if it were—I think immigration takes a special brand of courage. That said, I was born American. And am equally happy with that!

Anywho, I saw this recent post from Matt Ruff, which reminded me that I had contributed to Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak: by Writers Famous and Obscure. Book’s out… now. I’ve got to get a copy! You should too

(Thanks for the compliment, Matt! I like his submission as well, and not just for reasons of reciprocal politeness. I’m a sucker for superhero references.

Thanks also to Jennifer 8. Lee of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles for telling me about the project.)