Factum Perspectives – Page 5

Factum Perspective: Sharing power: From Madurai to Anuradhapura

Regional GeopoliticsApril 24, 2022453Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Uditha Devapriya Sri Lanka’s ties with India have been tenuous, at times friendly but very often lukewarm. Since of late, however, the dynamics have changed, dramatically. Perhaps for the first time since independence, the island has forged amicable and longstanding ties with its neighbour to the north. Since last year, India has provided around…

Factum Perspective: Sri Lanka braces for tougher times as IMF talks begin

Health and Economic CooperationApril 17, 2022489Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Dr M. Ganeshamoorthy Facing its worst crisis since independence, Sri Lanka’s economy has only just begun to experience the repercussions of imprudent policymaking. The government’s announcement of the preemptive unilateral default of $51 billion announced last week has sent the country’s credit ratings catapulting. The closure of the stock exchange for five working…

Factum Perspective: Eurasian integration is a pre-requisite for de-dollarizing Sri Lanka

Health and Economic Cooperation, Regional GeopoliticsApril 10, 2022485Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Shiran Illanperuma The NATO-Russia conflict playing out in Ukraine has brought to the fore long-simmering international tensions. These include the role of the US Dollar as the global reserve currency, and the power of the US government to unilaterally exclude nations that challenge its dominance from international trade, by sanctions and bans from international…

Factum Perspective: The case for a credible interim government in Sri Lanka

Peace and ConflictApril 3, 2022355Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Chandani Kirinde Sri Lanka is making international headlines once again. There are growing calls for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint an interim government to address the urgent economic problems faced by the people, after protestors approaching his residence over a fuel crisis, power cuts, food shortage and mounting inflation clashed with police on…

Factum Perspective: MRCC – a step forward in India’s growing influence on Sri Lanka

Maritime Security, Regional GeopoliticsMarch 27, 2022636Views 0Likes 0Comments

By LP Fresh on the heels of India’s one billion US dollar credit facility granted to support Sri Lanka’s ailing economy; news broke of cabinet ministers of Sri Lanka granting approval for the proposal to establish a Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Sri Lanka. Aided by a grant of the Indian government worth six…

Factum Perspective: Historicising foreign policy in Sri Lanka

International DevelopmentMarch 20, 2022600Views 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, 2022320Views 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, 2022414Views 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, 2022596Views 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, 2022359Views 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, 2022346Views 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, 2022338Views 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…