In 2022, Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in decades turned into a major political crisis triggering prolonged public protests that forced the resignations of the entire Cabinet of Ministers and Prime Minister, and drove the President to flee overseas. Policy blunders bankrupted the country which has suspended servicing its USD 50 billion foreign debt. A humanitarian crisis now engulfs at least a third of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people.
How did Sri Lanka reach this point, and can the island nation rebound or rebuild? What – short of revolution – are the options?
Sapan’s teach-in on Sri Lanka features an intergenerational conversation on these topics, with dynamic thought-leaders in Sri Lanka joined by senior journalists around the region.
This is the first of Sapan’s Country Focus series. The spotlight for our first event is on Sri Lanka.
Title: Rebuilding Sri Lanka: Reforms or Revolution?
Date: Sunday, October 2, 2022
Event host: Namrata Sharma, Kathmandu-based journalist.
Reading of Sapan founding charter: Siraj Khan, global finance and audit specialist, and connoisseur of Southasian art and culture
Discussion moderator: Nalaka Gunawardene, science writer and media analyst, Colombo
Panelists:
– Amita Arudpragasam, policy advisor and research analyst
– Rehana Thowfeek, economist who has worked for leading think tanks
– Marlon Ariyasinghe, author and editor
Closing remarks: Nirupama Subramanian, senior journalist at The Indian Express who has covered Sri Lanka extensively
For more details, visit: https://southasiapeace.com/2022/09/24/sapan-event-oct-2-2022-rebuilding-sri-lanka-reforms-or-revolution/
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00:08 – 0:06:05: Introduction and welcome to the participants of meeting by event host Namrata Sharma, journalist and human-rights activist from Kathmandu
0:07:08 – 0:12:00: Sapan Charter presentation by Siraj Khan, global finance and audit specialist and connoisseur of Southasian art and film music, originally from Karachi, now based in Boston
0:13:36 – 0:17:39: In Memoriam slideshow and Memory Wall of activists who passed away in the last month, by Sushmita Preetha, journalist, writer and activist from Dhaka
0:20:06 – 0:26:42: Background of event title and Introduction of three speakers by moderator Nalaka Gunawardene, writer and journalist from Colombo
0:26:42 – 0:33:27: Conversation on the economic aspect of the Sri Lanka crisis between Nalaka Gunawardene and Rehana Thowfeek, economist who has worked with leading think tanks
0:35:37 – 0:38:21: Rehana Thowfeek on whether economic crisis could be managed if not for the twin external pressure of Covid pandemic and Russian-Ukraine War
0:38:22 – 0:42:06: Rehana Thowfeek and Nalaka Gunawardene on foreign debt restructuring
0:42:08 – 0:44:40: Rehana Thowfeek and Nalaka Gunawardene on IMF bailout package
0:44:41 – 0:52:26: Nalaka Gunawardene and Amita Arudpragasam, policy advisor and research analyst in Colombo, on protests in Sri Lanka and solidarity among various protesting groups
0:52:27 – 0:58:40: Amita Arudpragasam on the people’s demand for accountability
0:08:55 – 1:16:26: Marlon Ariyasinghe, author and editor from Colombo on Janata Aragalya – People Power / People Struggle
1:16:27 – 1:24:44: All speakers on options for meaningful reforms short of revolution: Revolution or Reforms?
1:24:55 – 1:33:59: All speakers on what is the way forward?
1:34:00 – 1:37:20: Amita Arudpragasam and Nalaka Gunawardene on abolition of Executive Presidency
1:35:44 – 1:41:10: Nalaka Guanawardene asks chat question on number of arrests and is the food shortage situation better as food queues get shorter? Marlon Ariyasinghe answers question on arrests and detention
1:41:11 – 1:46:16: Amita Arudpragasam and Rehana Thowfeek give examples of centralization of power and answer to question on food shortage
1:46:17 – 1:55:23: All speakers on militarization and role of military
1:55:30 – 2:01:26: All speakers on lessons for other Southasian countries from experience of Sri Lanka? Followed by wrap-up of the discussion by Nalaka Guanawardene
2:01:26 – 2:14:30: Closing remarks by Nirupama Subramanian, senior journalist at Indian Express and author who has written extensively on Sri Lanka and Aragalya
2:14:31 – 2:17:18: Conclusion of event with thanks by event host Namrata Sharma
2:17:19 – 2:18:29: Sign off from Sapan volunteer Aekta Kapoor, journalist from Delhi
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