POSTWAR RECONSTRUCTION IN SRI LANKA - PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

The International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) launched its latest publication on Post-War Reconstruction: Prospects and Challenges on the 16th of December 2010. This is one of the first books published locally or international on Reconstruction in Sri Lanka. This volume is edited by Dr. Dhammika Herath, Prof. Kristine Höglund, Prof. Michael Schulz, and Prof. Kalinga Tudor Silva.

This book consists of a collection of papers from the first ever conference on “Peace and Development in Sri Lanka” which took place in Kandy, 23-25 August 2009. The purpose of the conference was to bring together and initiate a process of dialogue among local and international researchers and doctoral students, who study peace and development issues in Sri Lanka, and practitioners seeking to address the same issues. The practitioner side was represented by professionals engaged in peace and development through their work in International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and government institutions. The papers in this book reflect the participants’ practical experience and research findings stemming from ongoing research projects and the book lays a heavy emphasis on the potential for reconstruction, reconciliation and development in the war-affected regions of Sri Lanka.

This work will be of interest and practical utility to academics, policy-makers and practitioners in government, non-governmental or donor institutions in their efforts to guide the rebuilding processes in the northeast of Sri Lanka.

Hard cover; 272+xvii pp; Rs. 400, US$ 20 (excluding postage)

Click> Contents

THE PORTUGUESE IN THE ORIENT

This is the only volume to be published—so far at least—to mark the 500th anniversary of the advent of the Portuguese to this island and thus its first fateful contact with the West and the colonialism that was to follow. However, its contents are not restricted only to the Portuguese presence in the island but include some aspects of their intervention in other parts of the Estado da Índia as well. Hence the title. The publication consists of contributions on varying aspects of the Portuguese presence made by ten scholars who have specialized in this field. The names of Alan Strathern, Zoltán Biedermann, Chandra R. de Silva, Shihan de Silva Jayasuriya, K.N.O. Dharmadasa and Gaston Perera are well-known for their studies in the area of the Portuguese intervention in Ceylon, as it was then known. The other contributions from Fatima de Silva Gracias, Délio de Mendonça, Stefan Halikowski Smith and Teotonio R. de Souza relate to Goa or India. The contents of the volume present an interesting and varied view of those times. Another look is taken at two important incidents in the history of Ceylon—the “Sinhala” rebellion and the “Malvana” convention. Goa in medieval time is described. Religious conversion and linguistic influence in Ceylon and India are discussed as well as the economics of the trade in horses in the Portuguese Orient. The volume comes with an Introduction and an Index. Printed on good quality paper and with a hard cover it runs into 255+xv pages and is priced at Rs. 900/= excluding postage.

Click> Contents


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 19^th 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.