The Diplomat | Author
Rathindra Kuruwita
Rathindra Kuruwita is a journalist and a researcher from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Rathindra Kuruwita is a journalist and a researcher from Colombo, Sri Lanka. He holds an MSc in Strategic Studies from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, NTU, Singapore. He was also a fellow at Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, USA, and a participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) conducted by the U.S. Department of State. He writes on security and international relations for several publications and has written extensively on the Sri Lanka-China relationship. Follow him on X.
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April 28, 2023
Sri Lanka’s Proposed Anti-terror Law Makes Dissent an Act of Terror
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government is arming itself with a law to crush mass protests and strikes aimed at opposing its economic policies and IMF austerity measures.
April 25, 2023
India and the ‘Radar Stations’ in Myanmar and Sri Lanka
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Speculation is rife over supposedly China-constructed facilities on Myanmar’s Coco Island that could be put to Chinese military use “when required.”
April 13, 2023
Military Involvement in Pandemic Control in Sri Lanka
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Involving the military in tackling public health crises is an efficient use of state capacity, but does it signal excessive militarization of society?
March 30, 2023
IMF’s Package to Sri Lanka Includes Corruption Fixing
By Rathindra Kuruwita
But is the governance diagnostic exercise just another tool to legitimize its austerity measures?
March 10, 2023
Sri Lanka Continues to Back India’s Adani Group
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Foreign Minister Sabry has expressed confidence in the multinational conglomerate’s capacity to complete port and power projects on the island.
February 21, 2023
Sri Lanka Government Develops Cold Feet, Calls Off Local Elections
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Fearing that it will be routed in elections, the ruling party unleashed a propaganda campaign to convince people that elections amid the economic crisis are a bad idea.
February 06, 2023
Sri Lankan President Pledges Full Implementation of 13th Amendment
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Ranil Wickremesinghe appears to be using the promise of power-sharing as a political tool to secure himself in power.
January 26, 2023
India Eyes Sri Lanka’s Renewable Energy Sector
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The island does not have an energy policy and deals, which are often done secretly, are controversial.
January 18, 2023
A Damning Indictment of Sri Lanka’s Political and Security Establishment
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Supreme Court has ruled that despite having actionable intelligence, former President Sirisena and top officials did not act to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
December 28, 2022
To Please the IMF, Sri Lanka is Cutting Troop Numbers
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Instead, it should retrain its soldiers and redeploy them in policing, peacekeeping, and disaster rescue and relief roles.
December 14, 2022
In Defense of Sri Lanka’s Defense Budget
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Reducing allocation for defense will require retrenching soldiers. Cutting loose angry youth with weapons skills is not what the crisis-ridden island needs now.
November 25, 2022
India and ASEAN Upgrade Their Partnership
By Rathindra Kuruwita
As comprehensive security partners, they can be expected to engage in deeper cooperation relating to maritime security and disaster risk reduction.