Science and Technology

Factum Perspective: In Pakistan, AI Charts a New Course for South Asian Politics

Regional Geopolitics, Science and Technology, Tech CooperationFebruary 18, 2024257Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Uditha Devapriya with Nevindi Jayawardana and Dilshan Bataduwaarachchi By the time Pakistanis headed for elections on February 8, Imran Khan had been served a 14-year jail sentence, on top of other charges and allegations. Barely a week earlier, Khan, the country’s most popular Opposition figure, had been disqualified from holding office for 10…

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, 2023407Views 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: US and China Forge Agreement to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

Climate and environment, Health and Economic Cooperation, Science and TechnologyDecember 2, 2023249Views 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: Online Safety or Muzzling Online Free Speech?

Science and Technology, Tech CooperationOctober 19, 2023242Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Muhammad Aftab Alam A review of Proposed Legislation in Pakistan and Sri Lanka In September 2023, the Sri Lankan government introduced an Online Safety Bill to establish an “Online Safety Commission”, the purported objective being “to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes and to suppress the financing…

Factum Perspective: Unlocking Sri Lanka’s Research Potential

Science and TechnologyOctober 7, 2023360Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Chiranjeewa Desaduni The National Research Council (NRC) of Sri Lanka offers vital financial support to scientists operating in the public sector. As of 2023, the NRC's annual budget stands at LKR 80 million. In a notable stride in 2013, the NRC, with the Ministry of Technology and Research, initiated a program aimed at invigorating…

Factum Special Perspective: The Draft Online Safety Bill

Peace and Conflict, Science and Technology, Tech CooperationSeptember 27, 2023705Views 1Like 0Comments

By Jagath Liyanarachchi On September 18, 2023, the Draft Online Safety Bill was published in the Sri Lankan Government Gazette on the orders of the Minister of Justice. The following is a brief introduction to the Bill. Objectives of the Bill As stated in Section 3, the purpose of the Bill is 1/ To protect…

Factum Perspective: Scientific literacy – Are we there yet?

Science and TechnologyJanuary 2, 2023348Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Sachie Panawala In its report in 2018, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) defined scientific literacy as an understanding of how the knowledge of science changes the manner one can interact with the world, and the way it can be used to accomplish broader goals. Kathleen…