Factum Perspectives – Page 10

Factum Perspective: Historicising foreign policy in Sri Lanka

International DevelopmentMarch 20, 2022849Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Uditha Devapriya In contrast to most countries, especially in South and South East Asia, there have been very few attempts at historicising foreign policy in Sri Lanka. Barring the works of diplomats and scholars like Vernon Mendis and Shelton Kodikara, no proper book on the subject has come out yet. The result has been…

Factum Perspective: UNHRC and Sri Lanka: much ado to deliver nothing?

Peace and ConflictMarch 14, 2022501Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Lahirru Pothmulla Thrust in economic woes, the ongoing 49th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session has not been in local limelight as seen in previous years. But the human rights situation in Sri Lanka was once again a topic of concern at the ongoing hearings. To some Sri Lankans, this Council has been…

Factum Perspective: Is violence a permanent aspect of international relations?

Peace and ConflictMarch 6, 2022598Views 0Likes 0Comments

“...right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must” - Thucydides, Book 5 By Lakna Paranamanna Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had the world divided into two groups. Those who condemned the move, who identified Russian attacks as…

Factum Perspective: Ukraine Crisis – End of NATO expansion and restoration of the “Russian World”

Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsFebruary 27, 2022763Views 0Likes 0Comments

“I am convinced that the true sovereignty of Ukraine is possible precisely in partnership with Russia. Our spiritual, human, civilizational ties have been formed for centuries, go back to the same sources, tempered by common trials, achievements and victories. Our kinship is passed down from generation to generation. It is in the hearts, in the memory of people…

Factum Perspective: Ukraine – A lone democracy fighting a nuclear state

Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsFebruary 27, 2022585Views 0Likes 0Comments

By: Dr Ranga Kalansooriya and Omar Rajarathnam As of yesterday, nuclear state Russia for the third day bombarded sovereign and less powerful state Ukraine. The powerful Western democracies and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) states who vowed to stand with Ukraine are standing, not the way Ukraine and its people expected, but by issuing…

Factum Perspective: Indo-China influence – Which way foreign policy for Sri Lanka?

Belt Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Policy, Regional GeopoliticsFebruary 19, 2022573Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Uditha Devapriya During a recent visit to New Delhi, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister G. L. Peiris stated that Sri Lankans “increasingly recognise” India as a true friend. Peiris thanked India for offering much-needed assistance to the tune of USD 2.4 billion, emphasising cooperation in areas like energy security and air and sea connectivity…

Factum Perspective: PTA Repeal or amend? Sri Lanka’s dilemma on anti-terror laws

Peace and ConflictFebruary 19, 2022544Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Jagath Liyana Arachchi and Lakna Paranamanna In a bid to appease the international community, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris tabled the amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) the past week[1]; a move rejected by multiple international organisations including the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) as ‘woefully inadequate’[2]. Why has the…

Multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific and Maritime Domain Awareness

Belt Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Policy, Maritime SecurityFebruary 19, 2022765Views 0Likes 0Comments

By LP A pilot project named PROTEUS introduced by the United States Naval Research Laboratory is the U.S. government’s latest addition in its arsenal of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) programs. Multiple government and private agencies are already engaged in the integrated system that facilitates heightened MDA capabilities[1]. The advent of PROTEUS reiterates the importance of…

Factum Perspective: Russia vs. Ukraine: New Avatar of the Cold War

Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsJanuary 29, 2022718Views 0Likes 0Comments

By M.S.M.Ayub Tensions between Russia and its neighbor Ukraine is not a manifestation of a clash between the security interests of the two nations. It is indeed the current avatar of the old Cold War that many believe had ceased after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Is there a danger of Russia invading…

Factum Perspective: U.S.-Russia conflict over Ukraine unnecessary

Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsJanuary 24, 2022607Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Chamara Sumanapala The media has given credence to U.S. government speculation that Russia is looking to violate Ukraine’s sovereign borders. Western sanctions will be a factor in deterring such action and Russia has several advantages in turning the heat up on the issue for various interests. One thing almost certain, it is unlikely…

Factum Perspective: India lends bigger hand to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis amid ratings downgrade

Belt Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Policy, Health and Economic Cooperation, Regional GeopoliticsJanuary 16, 2022855Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Shihar Aneez and Omar Rajarathnam A day without power cuts is now a breaking news story in Sri Lanka which is facing precarious economic instability. The common citizen is unsure what to make of the financial chaos with its government running low on dollars and money to run the country. Excessive money printing…

Is Sri Lanka thrusting itself in the middle of a Churchill trap?

Belt Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Policy, Regional GeopoliticsJanuary 11, 2022760Views 0Likes 0Comments

By LP Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s arrival in Sri Lanka last evening (8) comes at one of the most politically tumultuous times in Sri Lanka’s history. As the forex crisis deepens and over half of Sri Lanka’s gold reserves emptied, there is hope the Chinese will offer much needed assistance to relieve the pressure…