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Tsunami in a Time of War: Aid, Activism &
Reconstruction in Sri Lanka and Aceh,
edited by Malathi de Alwis & Eva-Lotta
Hedman. Colombo, ICES, 2009. 244p. (A special double issue of
Domains) The
devastation of the tsunami and rehabilitation and reconstruction
in its aftermath, in Aceh and Sri Lanka, intersected with and
shaped the politics of ongoing civil wars leading to militant
groups and government forces launching new battles over control
of people, land, livelihoods and humanitarian/development aid.
It resulted in a marked divergence of political trajectories
with Aceh moving towards a cessation of war and Sri Lanka
heading towards a resumption of war. These different political
outcomes frame this volume’s carefully researched, complicated
and compelling arguments about aid, activism and reconstruction
in Sri Lanka and Aceh. This project was initiated by ICES
entitled “Post Tsunami Reconstruction in Contexts of War: A
Grassroots study of the Geo-politics of Humanitarian Aid in
Northern & Eastern Sri Lanka & Aceh, Indonesia
Arbiters of a National Imaginary: Essays
on Sri Lanka. Festschrift for Professor Ashley Halpe,
edited by Chelva Kanaganayakam. Colombo, ICES, 2008.211p.
This collection brings together a number
of thought-provoking essays written by academics, critics, and
writers, all of whom are concerned with the ways in which
social, cultural and political forces intersect in contemporary
Sri Lanka. Each contributor brings to the collection a new
perspective on the ways in which Sri Lanka is conceptualised and
imagined by different ethnic and religious communities. Written
primarily as a tribute to Professor Ashley Halpe, the essays
reflect the academic rigour and imaginative depth that Professor
Halpe himself insisted on as a teacher and scholar.
Constellations of Violence: Feminist
Intervention in South Asia, edited
by Radhika Coomaraswamy & Nimanthi Perera- Rajasingham. Colombo,
ICES, 2008. 260p.
This volume gathers together some
reflections on the complex and shifting dynamics of violence and
gender in South Asia. The essays raise important concerns in
understanding and confronting violence against women, and
interrogate accepted truths on development and agency to flesh
out nuances previously ignored. This publication was a result
of a project initiated by ICES entitled “South Asia Project on
Violence against Women: Review of a Decade.”
Electoral Processes and
Governance in South Asia, edited
by Dushyantha Mendis, Kandy, ICES, 2008. 479p.
Based on Papers originally presented at
the International Conference on Electoral Processes and
Governance in South Asia organised by ICES in 2002, the book
seeks to examine electoral processes as they actually operate in
South Asia, discuss the reasons for flaws in these systems, and
the degrees of success or failure in attempts at reform.
Mistaking Politics for Governance: The
Politics of Interim Arrangements in Sri Lanka 2002-2005,
by Charan Rainford and Ambika Satkunanathan, Colombo, ICES,
2008,198p.
Examines the origins, structures and
outcomes of interim arrangements, proposed and implemented, in
Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2005. By highlighting key successes
and failures and pinpointing lessons learned, the study provides
both an analysis of what went wrong in the Sri Lankan case and
insights into the pitfalls and benefits of employing approach to
peace processes.
Feminist Engagements with Violence: Some
contingent movements from Sri Lanka,
by Nimanthi Perera-Rajasingham, Lisa Kois,
and Rizvina Morseth de Alwis. Colombo, ICES, 2007. 208p.
The book explores two decades of feminist
responses to gendered violence in Sri Lanka at a time of
increased ethnic violence and warfare. The essays also examine
how feminists respond to violence, both gendered and ethnic, in
a time of increased militarization.
Interrogating the Norms: Women Challenging
Violence in an Adversarial State,
by Farida Shaheed. Colombo, ICES, 2007. 145p.
Examines the effects of the Zia political
regime on women and minorities. Also looks at the impact on
Pakistan’s women’s movement, and how it is set it apart from
concurrent movements in South Asia. This publication was a
result of a project initiated by ICES entitled “South Asia
Project on Violence against Women: Review of a Decade.”
Militarizing Sri Lanka: Popular Culture,
Memory and Narrative in the Armed Conflict,
by Neloufer de Mel. Colombo, ICES, 2007. 330p.
Examines militarization as a process which
shapes the ideology of militarism, and the ways in which
militant solutions to conflict become part of institutional
structures and ways of thought. ‘Militarizing Sri Lanka’
highlights militarization as an activity and agency, capable of
causing society to adapt and transform in significant ways. The
book also looks at the role of popular culture, memory and
narrative in the mediation of attitudes towards militarism, war
and peace. This publication was a result of a project initiated
by ICES entitled “Sri Lanka Studies Program.”
Politics, Power Dynamics and Disaster: A
Sri Lanka Study on Tsunami Affected Districts,
by Sonali Moonesinghe. Colombo, ICES, 2007. 126p.
Examines the prevailing conditions,
socio-political dynamics and implications for long term relief,
recovery and development efforts in the tsunami-affected
districts of Galle, Mullaitivu and Amparai.
Sri Lankan Muslims: Ethnic Identity within
Cultural Diversity, by M.N.
Nuhuman. Colombo, ICES, 2007. 236p.
The book examines the history and nature
of Sri Lankan Muslim identity a politico-cultural ideology that
has been constructed and evolved in relation to and in response
to Sinhala and Tamil ethno-nationalisms from the late 19th
century. This publication was a result of a project initiated by
ICES entitled “Sri Lanka Studies Program.”
The Politics of Foreign Aid in Sri Lanka:
Promoting Markets and Supporting Peace,
by Sunil Bastian. Colombo, ICES, 2007. 210p.
The book analyses how the twin interests
of promoting capitalism and managing conflicts were played out
in Sri Lanka from 1977-2004. This publication was a result of a
project initiated by ICES entitled “Sri Lanka Studies Program.”
Walking to Kataragama,
by Sunil Goonasekera. Colombo, ICES, 2007. 675p.
The study focuses on Kataragama as a social arena in which many
ethnic groups meet and well defined cultural identities
co-exist. The book is also an anthropological study of
pilgrimage. This publication was a result of a project initiated
by ICES entitled “Sri Lanka Studies Program.” |