Factum Perspectives

170 articles published

Factum Special Perspective: US Foreign Policy and the Creation of Israel

History and Culture, Peace and ConflictDecember 28, 20232KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By Vinod Moonesinghe On November 2, 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour wrote a letter to Lord Rothschild, promising support for the creation of a Jewish National Home in Palestine. A week later, the government made public this Balfour Declaration, making it the first public expression of support for the Zionist cause. This caused concern,…

Factum Perspective: Combating Nitrogen Pollution in South Asia – Cooperation as a Tool

Climate and environment, Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Science and TechnologyDecember 23, 20231KViews 1Like 0Comments

By Amanda Gunarathna Nitrogen pollution, a growing concern in environmental science, refers to the excessive release of nitrogen compounds into ecosystems, predominantly originating from human activities such as industrial processes, agriculture, and fossil fuel combustion. While Nitrogen is an essential element for life, an excess of it can lead to detrimental consequences for ecosystems…

Factum Perspective: The Aragalaya, a Year Later – Part II

Peace and Conflict, UncategorizedDecember 16, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By N. Sathiya Moorthy Not many evening speakers at Gotagogama spoke about anything other than the immediate privations, requiring the exit of the Gota leadership and government. The knowledgeable among them were already discussing among them on the edges of the protest site, as to the available alternative after Gota’s exit, which they too had…

Factum Special Perspective: Kissinger’s Legacy – Realpolitik and Its Global Consequences

History and Culture, Peace and ConflictDecember 15, 2023958Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Aavin Abeydeera Having passed away at the age of 100, Kissinger’s death was mourned by many, and celebrated by an equally loud number in the international community. Hailed as a hero, and feared as a Machiavellian villain, Kissinger’s legacy is a result of his checkered actions and past, mirroring the State he served so…

Factum Perspective: The “Aragalaya”, a Year Later – Part I

Peace and Conflict, UncategorizedDecember 9, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By N. Sathiya Moorthy Over a year later, a public debate has begun to brew over whether last year’s Aragalaya was a budding social revolution or a botched-up security lapse, with the armed forces in particular (wantonly?) failing to discharge their duty. In a way, it is only an academic exercise or a post…

Factum Perspective: US and China Forge Agreement to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

Climate and environment, Health and Economic Cooperation, Science and TechnologyDecember 2, 2023983Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Flavia Gunarathna In a landmark development, the United States and China have reached a pivotal agreement aimed at intensifying efforts to curb the export of chemicals vital in the production of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for a staggering number of fatalities in the United States. The accord, anticipated to be formalized during the…

Factum Special Perspective: The Right to Memorialize, the Right to Remember

Peace and ConflictNovember 27, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By Uditha Devapriya On Friday, November 24, the Mullaitivu Magistrate’s Court issued an order prohibiting events dedicated to the commemoration of LTTE soldiers on Maaveerar Naal or Heroes’ Day, which falls today, November 27. The order had been prompted by complaints from the Mullaitivu police. Meanwhile, some websites report that the headstones of fallen…

Factum Perspective: Climate Change Diplomacy in Sri Lanka

Climate and environment, Health and Economic Cooperation, International DevelopmentNovember 25, 20233KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By Minoli Gunarathna Climate change refers to long-term, major changes in the global climate. Given the increasingly dire global climate situation, international cooperation must be prioritised. Climate diplomacy is a strategy approach that highlights the need of incorporating climate goals and addressing climate-related concerns at the highest level of diplomatic interaction and across multiple policy…

Factum Perspective: The Geopolitics of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

History and Culture, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsNovember 18, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By Britney Martil A comprehensive assessment of the Azerbaijan-Armenia war over Nagorno-Karabakh uncovers a complex and deeply ingrained geopolitical history in the Caucasus area. Originating in the aftermath of World War I and the subsequent collapse of the Russian Empire, the resultant power vacuum afforded Azerbaijan and Armenia the opportunity to declare their independence. The…

Factum Special Perspective: Online Safety Bill, Supreme Court Ruling, and Alternatives

Peace and Conflict, Tech CooperationNovember 15, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By Jagath Liyanaarachchi Online Safety Bill As per the directive of the Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, the Online Safety Bill was published in the Gazette on September 18, 2023. On October 10, 2023, the bill was tabled in the Parliament for the first reading. The Bill envisages the establishment of a Commission for…

Factum Perspective: Gaza and “R2P” in a Multipolar World Order

Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsNovember 11, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By Lakmali Bhagya Manamperi The responsibility of the international community for the protection of innocent civilians during times of humanitarian crisis has come to light with the recent escalation of the conflict in Palestine. The attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects are a clear violation of international humanitarian norms and can no better be named…

Factum-Arutha Perspective: IMF and Governance

Health and Economic Cooperation, International DevelopmentOctober 29, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

The failure to tackle poor governance has long since been a thorn in the side of Sri Lanka’s developmental efforts. Governance issues linked to the economy have become especially relevant in recent times since demands for system-wide change expressed during the 2022 crisis remains fresh in the minds of many. But despite eloquent campaign promises,…