By Nithu Ardithya
Despite facing formidable challenges in recent years, Sri Lanka's tourism industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, signaling a promising future for economic recovery and growth.
Tourism constitutes around 5% of the nation's GDP. In 2019, the country welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors, resulting in revenue exceeding USD 4 billion.
In April…
By Britney Martil
South Asia continues to grapple with the complex challenge of internet censorship. As governments deploy measures to control online content and restrict connectivity, concerns surrounding digital freedom have grown.
This comparative analysis sheds light on the nuanced landscape of internet censorship in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, examining key incidents, government actions, and…
By Jagath Liyanarachchi
Background
Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Mass Media and Ali Sabry, President’s Counsel, Minister of Justice, presented a cabinet paper on April 1, 2022, seeking permission from the Cabinet of Ministers to present a draft of a bill to “protect society from the harm caused by false propaganda on the internet.”
This had…
By Lakmali Bhagya Manamperi
The recent visit to India by Sri Lankan parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake, of the National People’s Power (NPP) party, made headlines in media. It spread suspicions that India will invite the heads of the other parties contesting in Sri Lanka's presidential elections later this year.
However, based on its initial invitation…
By Uditha Devapriya with Nevindi Jayawardana and Dilshan Bataduwaarachchi
By the time Pakistanis headed for elections on February 8, Imran Khan had been served a 14-year jail sentence, on top of other charges and allegations. Barely a week earlier, Khan, the country’s most popular Opposition figure, had been disqualified from holding office for 10…
By Flavia Gunarathna
In a significant stride towards economic revitalization, Thailand and Sri Lanka signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking an important moment in diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations. As Sri Lanka grapples with its worst financial crisis in decades, the FTA is anticipated to play a crucial role in fostering…
By Amantha Gunarathna
With a burgeoning population, a robust if tumultuous democratic system, and a thriving technology sector, India has positioned itself as a key player on the world stage.
The country's proactive foreign policy, regional leadership initiatives, and engagement in multilateral forums contribute to its rising prominence. As a bridge between East and West,…
By Zeenath Ayub
During the proceedings of the case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about their war on Gaza, Irish Lawyer Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, representing South Africa, described the situation as
“The first genocide in history where its victims are broadcasting their own destruction in real time, in desperate — and…
By Adnan Rehmat
An unexpected drone and missile attack by Iran on targets inside Pakistan on January 16, 2024, and Islamabad’s angry diplomatic reaction have added a potentially new destabilizing dimension in the already deadly situation in the Middle East. If not handled properly it may have potentially damaging geopolitical and geostrategic consequences for South…
By P. K. Balachandran
2024 is turning out to be a year of elections in South Asia. The year dawned with parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and Bhutan. Later in the year, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka will vote to elect either a President or a parliament.
Elections bring out the cleavages in a society, and…
By Britney Martil
The spotlight on women's rights and the pervasive issue of violence against women has grown exponentially since the mid-1990s. Recognized as a formidable obstacle to equality, development, and peace, violence against women is deeply entrenched in historical inequalities between men and women.
At both international and national levels, unprecedented attention has been…
By Nithu Ardithya
In delving into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is essential to scrutinize accusations of genocide through the lens of international instruments and established criteria. This comprehensive exploration aims to unravel the complexities, particularly examining how these criteria manifest in the ongoing conflict.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), rooted in the Geneva Conventions of 1949…