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Regional Geopolitics

Factum Perspective – Killing of Sri Lankan in Pakistan – Leaders must deliver on citizen calls for justice

By Arjuna Ranawana A Sri Lankan General Manager of a leading garment manufacturer in the city of Sialkot in Pakistan’s industrial heartland has been lynched and his remains burned. Prime Minister Imran Khan termed the incident a ‘’shame’’ to his nation. Priyantha Kumara, the victim, was in his forties and had been in Pakistan…

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Factum Perspective – Can the West make a difference in Afghanistan

The return of the Taliban & the future of Afghanistan, Can the west make a difference? By Rathindra Kuruwita and Rikaza Hassan The fate of Afghanistan is still up for grabs by the west, but the clock is ticking … fast. The international community watched with a mix of shock, horror and awe as…

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Factum Perspective: Yohani, Menike Mage Hithe and Sri Lanka’s long road in Cultural Diplomacy

By Asoka Handagama Yohani and Satheeshan's rendition of Menike Mage Hithe goes viral Yohani De Silva’s cover of Menika Mage Hithe has gone viral, putting little known Sri Lanka on the map among pop music fans around the globe. Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Priyanka Chopra are all praise for the song. Famous…

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Factum Perspective: Emotional intelligence in strategic policy articulation

J R Jayewardene and the Treat of Peace for Japan   By Karu Paranawithana Caption – J.R. Jayawardene addresses the San Francisco Conference September post-1951 is an important month in Japan-Sri Lanka relations. Why? On 6 September this year (2021) Japan celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace with Japan, an outcome…

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Factum Perspective: Kadirgamar strategically infused professionalism into the Foreign Service

By Seevali The Government of Sri Lanka is planning to bring in professionals into the Foreign Service from various fields, mainly from some selected corporate entities. The last project carried out during the tenure of late Lakshman Kadirgamar, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister in the 90s, under President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga aimed to achieve…

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Factum Perspective: Khashoggi Killing – when economic diplomacy gave accountability a pass

By M.S.M.Ayub In October 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident who penned columns critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the world-renowned Washington Post was killed and dismembered by operatives loyal to the prince in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. The democratic power centres were backward in holding the prince accountable. In February…

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