International Development

Factum Perspective: Trump’s New America

International Development, Peace and ConflictDecember 1, 2024159Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Aavin Abeydeera Donald Trump is the new president of the free world once again. This time around, there has been very little questioning about his ascendancy, despite the magnitude of this popularity in the voting booths. Winning both the electoral college and the popular vote, Trump has ridden a wave of incredible support. There…

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

Health and Economic Cooperation, International DevelopmentNovember 17, 2024156Views 0Likes 0Comments

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…

Factum Perspective: Out of the abyss and into BRICS

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsOctober 27, 2024569Views 0Likes 0Comments

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,…

Factum Perspective: The Tradition of the Monkey King: Peaceful cultural diffusion through the Maritime Silk Road

History and Culture, International DevelopmentSeptember 29, 2024208Views 1Like 0Comments

Vinod Moonesinghe The Tang dynasty (618–907) became a golden age for Chinese poetry, sculpture, and Buddhism. Its capital, Chang’an (modern Xi’an), the starting point of the Land Silk Road, grew into an international hub with traders and embassies from Central Asia, Arabia, Persia, Korea, and Japan. The economy thrived, with rural markets connecting to Chang’an…

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

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Peace and Conflict, Regional Geopolitics, UncategorizedJuly 17, 2024483Views 0Likes 0Comments

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…

Factum Perspective: Human Geopolitics – The Case of the Indian Diaspora

History and Culture, International Development, Peace and ConflictJuly 14, 2024371Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Deshani Samaragunarathna While Rishi Sunak's recent resignation after a disappointing loss may raise questions, it's noteworthy that Sir Keir Starmer, in his first address, specifically acknowledged him as "the first British Asian Prime Minister of our country." This, along with Kamala “Devi” Harris serving as US Vice President, highlights a growing trend of diaspora…

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

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsJune 30, 2024306Views 0Likes 0Comments

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…

BRICS, Global Equity, and De-Dollarization

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Regional GeopoliticsJune 23, 2024322Views 0Likes 0Comments

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…

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

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Regional GeopoliticsJune 16, 2024903Views 0Likes 0Comments

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.…

Factum Perspective: Forging Digital and Maritime Futures

Climate and environment, Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Maritime Security, Science and TechnologyJune 9, 2024238Views 0Likes 0Comments

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…

Factum Perspective: Sri Lanka in the Digital Silk Road

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Tech CooperationMay 5, 2024556Views 0Likes 0Comments

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…

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

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Regional GeopoliticsApril 28, 2024286Views 0Likes 0Comments

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…