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Health and Economic Cooperation

Factum Perspective: Sri Lanka’s Economic Future – Lessons from Malaysia, the Role of Bretton Woods Institutions, and the potential of BRICS Membership

By Kividi Koralage Malaysia’s economic journey during the Asian financial crisis (1997-1998) and its resistance to International Monetary Fund assistance offer significant lessons to Sri Lankans today, as Sri Lanka navigates its economic challenges marked by high debt, inflation, and declining foreign reserves. Understanding Malaysia’s approach to crisis management can provide key insights into balancing…

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Factum Perspective: Out of the abyss and into BRICS

By Shiran Illanperuma From October 22 to 24, the 16th BRICS summit was held in Kazan, Russia. Alongside the core group members of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, this year saw the formal addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. During the summit, another 13 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand,…

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Factum Special Perspective: The Political Economy of the Northern Province

By Abishek Ranjan The economic condition of the Northern Province does not receive as much attention as the political situation in the region. The Northern Province, which comprises five districts, has a poor economic record compared to other provinces of Sri Lanka. Elections have only served to undermine these issues, since both mainstream and minority…

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Factum Special Perspective: Modi’s Moscow visit and the dualism in Indian foreign policy

By Ramindu Perera “Is there any reason why we in India should inherit the age-long rivalry of England against Russia? That is based on the greed and covetousness of British imperialism and our interests surely lie in ending this imperialism and not in supporting and strengthening it” Jawaharlal Nehru (1929) The recent meeting between Indian…

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Factum Perspective: Russia and North Korea – A marriage of convenience?

By Aakil Riyaz News outlets were recently in a frenzy over Putin’s recent visit to North Korea. Reports of a pact between the Russian premier Vladimir Putin and the supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) initially led to much speculation. These rumors were not without a basis. It was later revealed…

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BRICS, Global Equity, and De-Dollarization

By Natasha Gooneratne Imagine this: A developing country is in the midst of its most complicated economic crisis. Unemployment levels are rising, but not as precipitously as Inflation. Foreign currency coffers in national banks are as good as empty. As are fuel and gas reserves. International financial agencies have come knocking, they’re not happy about…

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Factum Perspective: The Future of India-Sri Lanka Economic Relations

By Rumeth Jayasinghe “Blood is thicker than water. It was natural for India to see what it could do to stand by Sri Lanka at this very difficult time” S. Jaishankar Sri Lanka’s relations with India go back a long way. The first inklings of trade consolidated economic, cultural, and religious ties in both countries.…

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Factum Perspective: Forging Digital and Maritime Futures

By Flavia Gunarathna In a series of diplomatic and technological engagements, Sri Lanka seems to be taking strides towards enhancing its digital and maritime infrastructure. During his official visit to Indonesia, President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Indonesian officials and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. These meetings, occurring amidst the backdrop of the…

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Factum Perspective: All the President’s Men – New Institutions in the Economic Transformation Bill

By Sanja de Silva Jayatilleka The recent gazette on Economic Transformation, Part II of May 10, 2024, includes several brand-new “incorporated” institutions with unprecedented power and new lines of authority, as well as an ultra-powerful roaming ambassadorship, to promote investment in Sri Lanka. Significantly, they all seem to come under the direct control of the…

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Factum Perspective: Sri Lanka in the Digital Silk Road

By Kasun Thilina Kariyawasam Many people have benefited from the ancient Chinese silk road, which connected large parts of the world. When we think of the Silk Road, we immediately think of silk, porcelain, and various precious stones. However, the Silk Road was also a route for countries to share knowledge and technology. Cotton weaving…

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Factum Perspective: Navigating the Crosscurrents – Iran, Sri Lanka, and the US

By Britney Martil Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Sri Lanka marks a significant milestone. The inauguration of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Project, a hydro power project supported by Iran, symbolizes the potential for further collaboration in energy generation and infrastructure. Despite challenges like funding delays, the completion of the project underscored a sustained dedication…

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