They Gave Their Perspectives on What is Happening in Sri Lanka

By sandra [dot] jakobsson [at] svet [dot] lu [dot] se (Sandra Jakobsson) - published 9 November 2022

A picture of a lecture taking place with people listening. — Professor Ruwanpura presenting at the panel debate. Photo.

Under the heading "What's happening in Sri Lanka", SASNET invited two researchers from the University of Gothenburg; Kanchana N Ruwanpura, Professor at Human Geography, and Camilla Orjuela, Professor at the School of Global Studies, to take part in a panel discussion on Sri Lanka's economic and political crisis.

The panel debate, held in cooperation with the Association of Foreign Affairs (UPF Lund), took place at the Department of Political Science in Lund on 27 October.

A woman speaking infront of an audience at Lund university. — Professor Orjuela speaking during the panel debate.

The discussion focused on the politics and corruption that led to a democratic deficit and an economic crisis, and on how the current crisis relates to Sri Lanka's other unresolved conflicts.

Professor Orjuela was the first to give a presentation, which emphasised the backdrop to and the key dynamics of the crisis.

Professor Ruwanpura thereafter presented on the theme "Canary in the coal mine? Debt crisis and corrupt capitalism in Sri Lanka". The floor was then opened for discussion, led by Ted Svensson, Director of Sasnet.

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who came and participated in the panel debate and especially to our two panelists.