Category: Essay

After 31st March, 2022, Sri Lanka’s politics is no longer what it has been. It seems to have entered a qualitatively new phase. It is still too early to say anything definite about the true magnitude and future directions of this newness. Its basic character and dimensions, however, are quite clear. The ‘direct democratic’ action… Continue reading The #GotaGoHome Protest Movement: Significance, Potential, and Challenges – Jayadeva Uyangoda

How, to what extent, and under what conditions states should repay their debt are critical questions which resurface after every major financial crisis. Debts being legal contracts, states are bound by the principle of pacta sunt servanda (“agreements must be kept”). Hence, the general expectation is that all debt must be repaid, no matter the… Continue reading Rethinking Odious Debt – Pierre Pénet

IntroductionOne thing that classical economists seem to agree on with their colleagues of a more leftist persuasion is that cities are all about spatial concentration, with a view to optimising economic efficiency (Storper and Scott 2016; Henderson and Venables 2008). According to Harvey (1985), the capitalist (and especially neoliberal) city is a result of space… Continue reading Colombo’s Gentrification: The ‘Right to the City’ during Neoliberalism – Hasini Lecamwasam

Sandya Ekneligoda holding a flame and trident (24 January 2019). (Photo: Nilshan Fernando) Prageeth Ekneligoda, journalist, cartoonist, and political activist, disappeared 12 years ago on this day, somewhere between 8.30 and 9.30 pm on his way to a meeting with an acquaintance unknown to his friends or family. On the day of his disappearance, Prageeth had left home… Continue reading Dissident Memory and Democratic Citizenship: Sandya Ekneligoda and Her Struggle for Justice – Chulani Kodikara*

The meaning of democracy is becoming unmoored. Since the end of World War II, the US claimed the banner of democracy, while it underwent profound transformation at home through the civil rights movement and other popular struggles. At the same time, the US allied with repressive regimes abroad, ostensibly to defeat communism. The concept of… Continue reading Democracy in the Global Interregnum – Devaka Gunawardena

“… we must at least now, stop, groping in the darkness” ~ Basil Rajapaksa (12 November 2021) Basil Rajapaksa’s maiden Budget for 2022 received parliamentary approval on 10th December 2021, as to be expected in a legislature comfortably controlled by the government, with 157 votes in favour and 64 against. However, this was no reason… Continue reading Budget 2022: Brace for Austerity – B. Skanthakumar

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pravada/Polity, it is a pleasure to have been associated with it, as a regular contributor, over this period. One reason I did so was because it was extremely satisfying to be linked to a good quality, left-wing but non-dogmatic publication, which was discussing issues vital to the present… Continue reading Nationality, Complex Identities, and Multiple Belongings – Rohini Hensman

I was recently, and abruptly, reminded of a conversation that a junior researcher at a research institute I previously worked at, had with a few colleagues including myself. For whatever reason, Gamini Foneska’s name popped up, and the said researcher asked “Who is that dude?”. Being her honest and humble self, she admitted she did… Continue reading ‘A Letter from the Village’ – Udan Fernando

Demonstration held in front of the National War Heroes’ Monument by the National Collective of War Heroes (Jathika Ranawiru Ekamuthuwa), several other civil society organisations, and Members of Parliament of the Joint Opposition, on 12 August 2016. Photo Credit: Nisal Baduge[i] The 2022 budget has allocated Rs. 300 million to “compensate the disappearances of people during different eras owing to various reasons”… Continue reading The Office on Missing Persons post-2020: Who and What is it for? Chulani Kodikara

The year of 1977 has become a highly charged symbol for understanding the current crisis. After the transition from a “closed” to an “open” economy, many now claim that Sri Lanka is moving backwards. But we must be clear on what is responsible for the ongoing breakdown. Over the decades since Sri Lanka began liberalising… Continue reading Debating the Transition from a Closed to an Open Economy – Devaka Gunawardena