What role does racism play in the world today?
NIMALKA FERNANDO: Racism is the political ideology that moves wars and the grabbing of resources from our countries that exposes our communities to experiences of racism and exclusion. IPS: How do non-governmental organisations like IMADR carry out their activities today? NF: Our work has become challenging and difficult in the post-9/11 era. In the wake of (the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington) all dissident activities are viewed as the work of terrorists and insurgents. Democratic rights activities are smashed up under the slogan of crushing terrorists. IPS: Is there racism in your country? NF: Yes, racism is based on ethnic origin in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala extremist forces inside the government have embarked on a campaign to spread hate speech against the Tamil leadership fighting for self-rule and democratic rights (in northern Sri Lanka) for several decades. (The Sinhalese are the largest ethnic group in the country). IPS: How would you describe the over
