The Price of Inequality
Evolution is the biological manifestation of development. Which, in action merely refers to a ‘gradual unfolding’ usually towards a state of greater complexity or stability. Evolution as a process of natural selection…
Development
Who’s Afraid of Exotic Species, Gene Pirates and Government Babus?
In this second part of a long interview, South Asia’s first systems ecologist Dr Ranil Senanayake shares his views on many facets of biological diversity. He looks at the challenges involved in…
Sri Lanka’s Fast-track to Post-war Development: Remember the Mahaweli’s Costly Lessons!
Systems Ecologist Ranil Senanayake in conversation with Science Writer Nalaka Gunawardene. For Part 2 of this interview, titled , click here. Dr Ranil Senanayake is a rare public intellectual in Sri Lanka….
The questions unanswered by Ass. Sec. Robert Blake: Mapping US engagement in and concerns over Sri Lanka (UPDATED)
Image courtesy Colombo Page From around 5pm to 5.30pm today, Ass. Sec. Blake took questions from those on Twitter in South and Central Asia. Ass. Sec. Blake is the Assistant Secretary, South…
Sri Lanka’s Census 2012: What should have been asked? What could have been done better?
Conducting a census is an important activity for any country as the data gathered from it would serve as the foundation for policies, development related activities and future planning of not only…
A Vision for Our Nation
There is a vision of our land that has persisted over three millennia and is ingrained in the heart and soul of every citizen. A vision of a land, resplendent, beautiful, safe…
Co-operatives: A better option to channel relief to war victims in Sri Lanka
Photo courtesy Sampath Wijenayake It is no secret that many members of the Tamil diaspora are actively involved in helping the victims of the war in Sri Lanka in some way or the…
Oil, Coal, Gas and Carbon: Fundamental Truths From Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous people know the reality of fossil energy. The Shuar peoples of Amazonian Ecuador, under whose territories lie huge reserves of oil. Unlike those eager to find oil in their territories, have…
Fishing in Turbulent Waters
Introduction Newly initiated development projects in the Northern and Eastern Provinces in post-war Sri Lanka are expected to open new avenues towards ethnic reconciliation, as proclaimed not only by government media but…
Sri Lanka’s massive power and energy crisis: No easy answers, no immediate relief for consumers
Asoka Abeygunawardana, is the Executive Director of the Sri Lanka Energy Forum and an Adviser to the Minister of Power & Energy. Asoka’s articles on the Energy Forum website clearly outline the…
Thank you, Madam Navi Pillai
Photo courtesy JDS Thank you madam, for being the voice for the voiceless. The poverty stricken, wounded, displaced and marginalized Muslim and Tamil victims of the brutal thirty year war in our…
The Loss of Identity: Development and Agriculture
The ecological impact of increasing energy input into a system has been well documented. In any ecosystem an increase in the flow of energy tends to organize and simplify that ecosystem, with…
Can Sri Lanka propose a New Growth Paradigm?
The discussion on ‘ Economic Development’ as a national goal, must demonstrate a perspective strongly rooted in modern science. However, the goals of today suggest that our appreciation of the scientific method…
Climate Change, Food Security & Virtual Water an Asymmetric Threat to Sri Lanka
Image courtesy Mercy Corps Today, in an integrated and inter-dependent world, Sri Lanka does not have the leverage to reverse climate change but mitigate and adapt. Climate change is caused mostly by…
Accountability and Universal Values in Development
Photo courtesy World Bank Something is of universal value if it has the same value or worth for all, or almost all, people. This claim could mean two importantly different things. First,…