'Reflections on the Continuing Crises of Post-War Sri Lanka'

The Institute of International Studies(IIS) recently published a volume, 'Reflections on The Continuing Crises of Post-War Sr Lanka' edited by Professors Amal Jayawardena and Gamini Keerwella.

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Delivering the keynote address, at its launch on 24 April, at the BMICH, former Foreign Secretary, H. M. G. S. PALIHAKKARA reflected on the context and substance of the publication with particular reference to the challenge before the NPP government to convert the voter support it received into a public policy consensus essential to addressing multiple issues of statecraft at hand.

Excerpts:

We are at a juncture of profound change happening nationally as well as internationally - changes that seem to engender a mixed bag of imponderables and great worry, even danger. While many contend that these changes upend globalised advancement, portend uncertainty and unpredictability, some good is seen by others in that certain disruptions could lead to pathways for course corrections. While this obviously divisive and controversial discourse goes on, what is clear and present is that it’s a world where affairs within and between states are in flux. Some of our neighbourhood commentators put it as a 'world adrift' or a world 'getting unhinged'. The description of this volatility and prescriptions for handling the vortex of churning issues may defy objective analysis but the stark reality is that it represents an unprecedented and defining challenge to the post World War international system or the so-called 'rules-based order'.