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Rathindra Kuruwita

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.

Posts by Rathindra Kuruwita
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September 13, 2022

China’s Japanese-Inspired Project Approval Process in Sri Lanka

By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Japanese strategy allowed Chinese projects to be responsive to preferences of Sri Lankan leaders but paved the way for political capture, inflated costs and corruption.
August 29, 2022

Sri Lanka Signals Its Unreliability as a Partner Yet Again

By Rathindra Kuruwita
It has repeatedly scrapped deals and flip-flopped on decisions with an array of partners, including India, Japan, China and Russia.

August 09, 2022

US and India Score Tactical Victories Vis-à-Vis China in Taiwan and Sri Lanka

By Rathindra Kuruwita
This could prompt China to fast-track plans to challenge the current rules-based international order.

July 25, 2022

Rocky Road Ahead for Ranil Wickremesinghe

By Rathindra Kuruwita
The recently elected Sri Lankan president has started badly, by using troops to forcibly vacate protest sites in Colombo.

July 11, 2022

Gotabaya Rajapaksa Is Finally Resigning. What’s Next for Sri Lanka?

By Rathindra Kuruwita
The country needs a credible government that enjoys legitimacy in the eyes of the people. Forming one will be a herculean task.
June 30, 2022

Sri Lanka Overestimates its Importance to China

By Rathindra Kuruwita
India is a massive market that has great potential. If letting go of Sri Lanka allows China to improve its relationship with India, it will.

June 16, 2022

Sri Lankan Parties Are Amending the Constitution Yet Again

By Rathindra Kuruwita
The aim is to dilute the executive presidency, but there are differences on the extent to which the president’s powers should be clipped.
May 25, 2022

Indian Assistance to Sri Lanka: Lifeline or Chokehold?

By Rathindra Kuruwita
India received many concessions from the Rajapaksas in recent years and has vested interests in the status quo.

May 10, 2022

Has the Gotabaya Presidency Entered Its Final Days?

By Rathindra Kuruwita
If the Sri Lankan president was angling for a dignified departure from power, those hopes are unlikely to be fulfilled.

April 27, 2022

Will Sri Lanka’s IMF Gamble Work?

By Rathindra Kuruwita
Implementing the IMF’s recommendations will be a daunting task for the Rajapaksa government as it will be resisted by the masses, opposition parties, and trade unions.

April 12, 2022

Sri Lanka’s Leaderless Protests

By Rathindra Kuruwita
The leaderless nature of the protests was part of the attraction for many Sri Lankans. But leaders need to emerge if the movement is going to succeed in bringing about political change.
January 25, 2022

China Fertilizer Spat Underlines Sri Lanka’s Struggles With International Trade Deals

By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka has a lot to learn about entering agreements with  international companies – and the repercussions of violating them.

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