By Britney Martil
In the serene landscapes of Sri Lanka, a dark reality persists beneath the surface, where the laughter of children is silenced by exploitation and deprivation. The term “child labor” takes on an alarming interpretation since it refers to employment that destroys the innocence of childhood and jeopardizes their potential and dignity. Child…
By Rumeth Jayasinghe
“Our country is crashing and will soon no longer be the world standard, which will be our greatest defeat frankly in 200 years. There will be no defeat like that will take us away from being even a great power.”
Donald Trump
In its simplest sense, de-dollarization refers to the global shift…
By Uditha Devapriya
On July 2 and 3, Factum held its first Ambassadors’ Day at the Kataragama Esala Perahera. The event was attended by the Bangladeshi High Commissioner and the First Secretary to the Maldivian High Commission on the first day, and the Thai Ambassador on the second, which coincided with the final night of…
By Kanishka Goonewardena
“Capitalism is nothing if not the displacement of politics by economics.”
This provocation by Fredric Jameson, the leading Marxist critic in the US, offers a fine insight with which to aim for some clarity amidst the confusion concerning the present crisis of Sri Lanka – which the Aragalaya has revealed, but…
By Aavin Abeydeera
Enjoying its position as the middleman between Europe, the Middle East, and greater Asia, Türkiye’s elections have always made it to the front page. Should an election swing to the far right, the European Union suddenly goes on red alert. Should an election swing to the far left, the Middle East criticizes…
By Malidu Mihisara
Aluth alut de nothanana jaathiya lowa nonagi Siga kema beri wunu thana lagii gaya mara gii
These lines were written by the Sri Lankan poet and author Cumaratunga Munidasa. A nation that does not innovate, he observes, will never prosper, and will eventually have to beg.
I would like to go beyond Munidasa’s reading.…
By Sanja de Silva Jayatilleka
South Africa will be hosting the 15th BRICS summit this year from August 22 to 24, under the theme “Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.” South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, addressing his National Assembly in this context, said that a strategic priority for his country was…
By Deshani Samaragunarathna
ألا هو لا دان (Ala ho la dan)
Look who we are, we are the dreamers - We make it happen 'cause we believe it Look who we are, we are the dreamers - We make it happen 'cause we can see it
Here's to the ones that keep the passion…
Read Part I of this article here.
By Kasun Thilina Kariyawasam
In general, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) can help businesses and individuals engage in international trade and investment, by providing a stable, regulated, and transparent currency that mitigates some of the risks associated with cross-border transactions.
CBDCs for firms
A CBDC can help…
By Kasun Thilina Kariyawasam
“The dollar is our currency, but it's your problem.”
John Connally, US Treasury Secretary, 1971
In the post-COVID global economy, Emerging Markets were hit with a double-whammy downward spiral. Even prior to the pandemic, Emerging Markets (EMs) were struggling with high inflation, lack of investment, unemployment, and other issues.
Then COVID-19…
By Uditha Devapriya
The Sri Lankan government has tasked the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute to conduct a review of the country’s foreign relations. While officials have not yet come out with details, the review is set to include a reconsideration of Sri Lanka’s ties with various countries, in light of recent international developments. The Executive Director…
Statue of Alâeddin Keykûbad / Wikimedia Commons
By Vinod Moonesinghe
The country we now know as Türkiye has a long history, holding within its borders the remains of the world’s first city, Çatalhöyük. Our knowledge of much of ancient foreign relations comes from the records of the Hittite empire, based at Hattusa. The great city of…