{"id":11103,"date":"2024-05-10T08:36:10","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T03:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/?page_id=11103"},"modified":"2026-04-02T14:35:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T09:05:27","slug":"current-affairs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/current-affairs\/","title":{"rendered":"BCIS Bulletin &#8211; Current Affairs and Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"11103\" class=\"elementor elementor-11103\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b354cbb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b354cbb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e46775 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5e46775\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 28-02-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df31e61 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"df31e61\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc6f450 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dc6f450\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 28-02-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0afb5d2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0afb5d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38ce148 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"38ce148\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2026 General Elections in Bangladesh and Nepal: \nPost-Uprising Political Transitions and Internal and External Challenges\n<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d9d857 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1d9d857\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-017ebfd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"017ebfd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.19.0 - 28-02-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Isuri W. Siriwardhana* <\/strong><\/p><p>In 2026, Bangladesh and Nepal held general elections during critical political periods. In Bangladesh, protests began in 2024 after a High Court ruling reinstated a quota system for government jobs, which had been abolished earlier by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina\u2019s government. The decision sparked widespread unrest that grew into a broader movement against her 16 years authoritarian rule, demanding democracy and end corruption. Following the government\u2019s removal by the people\u2019s uprising, an interim administration was established\u00a0 led by Muhammad Yunus until February 2026. The election held on 12 February 2026 marked the first since the 2024 uprising and expecting major political transitions, alongside a referendum on significant constitutional reforms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5405dfc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5405dfc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7989abd elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"7989abd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Isuri-Commentary-on-Bangladesh-and-Nepal-Final-pf-edits.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Isuri-Commentary-on-Bangladesh-and-Nepal-Final-pf-edits.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21d1036 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"21d1036\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6afbe63 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6afbe63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd144e3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cd144e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-060345a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"060345a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6662242 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6662242\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b25a96c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b25a96c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Undermining the Commons: The Regulatory Assault on Community Credit<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1a7ef8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d1a7ef8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cde82f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cde82f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Amali Wedagedara<\/strong><strong>*<\/strong><\/p><p>Why should access to basic finance \u2013 credit and savings \u2013 be a market-driven privilege, and not a right for farmers, fishers, low-income women, and all those the economy leaves behind? Why should governments not safeguard the stability and sustainability of communal financial infrastructure? Contrary to reinforcing guarantees of collective communal rights, governments have been allies of big finance in jettisoning people\u2019s right to organise community credit. The law has been the means of the powerful to disenfranchise people of their rights.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b97e27c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b97e27c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f5679f elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"0f5679f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BCIS-Undermining-Commons.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/BCIS-Undermining-Commons.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9768be3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9768be3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2d1361 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e2d1361\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39b394e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"39b394e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d230fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d230fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bccd555 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bccd555\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3b4ea5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a3b4ea5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">IMPACT OF DATA CENTRES ON THE ENVIRONMENT: WILL IT UNDERMINE CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION EFFORTS?<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c86f8c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6c86f8c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3ffa2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d3ffa2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>B.A.I.M. Jayawardane<a href=\"#_bookmark0\">*<\/a><\/p><p>The modern world is increasingly interconnected through the internet, transforming the global community into a single digital village, where information flows seamlessly across borders within milliseconds. As the world advances toward digitalisation, technology has significantly simplified tasks, leading to a radical transformation in many industries. With the new technological advancements, the efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, and profitability of industries have been largely enhanced. Thus, in today&#8217;s world, it seems like nothing is beyond human capability.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6138d36 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6138d36\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f64cc5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"f64cc5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Edited-Commentary-on-Impact-of-Data-Centres-on-the-Environment-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Edited-Commentary-on-Impact-of-Data-Centres-on-the-Environment-1.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-940da19 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"940da19\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f19b94d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f19b94d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01fa05a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"01fa05a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b3fabf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b3fabf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-068c204 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"068c204\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dd8ba0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5dd8ba0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Nepal and Its Protest Movements for Democracy: A Historical and Contemporary Analysis<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e474b36 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e474b36\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-194bc7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"194bc7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Isuri W. Siriwardhana*<\/strong><\/p><p>Background<\/p><p>The South Asian region has been experiencing a wave of mass uprisings starting in Sri Lanka since 2022. Sri Lankans began the <em>Aragalaya <\/em>or the people-led mass protest and came to the streets to express their oppression against the Rajapaksa regime and the government&#8217;s economic mismanagement in 2022. The <em>Aragalaya<\/em>, led by the people of the country demanded a significant system change, the resignation of the head of state and the cabinet. Two years later, in 2024, a student-people uprising started in Bangladesh against the government job quota and later developed into a massive-scale mass protest, which ended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina&#8217;s fifteen years of autocratic leadership. In August 2024, Bangladesh appointed Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus as the head of its interim government and anticipates holding an election to form a new government in the early periods of 2026. The third South Asian people uprising emerged in September 2025, in Nepal, which toppled the K.P. Sharma Oli\u2019s government. The banning of twenty-six (26) social media platforms in Nepal was the key reason for bringing youth to the streets against the government, yet there were other crucial political and economic concerns to launch the unrest led by the Gen-Z. Unlike in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, people-led protests are not new to Nepal; throughout its modern history, the country has been repeatedly mobilising mass movements to fight for democracy. Hence, this commentary is an attempt to revisit Nepal\u2019s recent history people\u2019s uprisings for democracy as well as its contemporary trends on 2025 Gen-Z revolution. Further, it also highlights the challenge Nepal must address in the aftermath of toppling the government in 2025.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9515b5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c9515b5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73b0d19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"73b0d19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BCIS-Edited-Commentary.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/BCIS-Edited-Commentary.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72e4ca0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"72e4ca0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58f8239 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"58f8239\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5784cbf elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5784cbf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06156f2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"06156f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2afcc4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2afcc4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea840bf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ea840bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30e5cc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"30e5cc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sri Lanka\u2019s National Artificial Intelligence Expo 2025: Charting the Path to a Digital Future<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25d7829 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"25d7829\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1eb61fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1eb61fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Tharishi Hewavithanagamage*<\/strong><\/p><p>Background<\/p><p>In an age defined by digital transformation, nations around the world are accelerating efforts to digitalize economies, modernize governance, and integrate emerging technologies into national development strategies. The digital domain today has become a critical arena of competition and cooperation alike \u2013 one that offers immense opportunities for innovation and growth, yet also presents complex governance, ethical and security challenges.<\/p><p>The contemporary world order, long dominated by entrenched digital powers, is undergoing rapid expansion as well as a subtle reconfiguration. Countries in the Global South, once positioned primarily as consumers within the global digital hierarchy, are now seeking to emerge as innovators and creators. Through strategic investment, capacity building and policy experimentation, many are developing digital ecosystems tailored to local realities.<\/p><p>There is growing recognition that digital transformation is no longer optional, but a necessity \u2013 although progress remains uneven.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f5f136 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1f5f136\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bb231e elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"9bb231e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/National-AI-Expo-2025-Commentary.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/National-AI-Expo-2025-Commentary.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efe4402 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"efe4402\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c97ae2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1c97ae2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a7c729 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9a7c729\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17c5be4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"17c5be4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee5a4b9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ee5a4b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28bec3e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"28bec3e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f79cb2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f79cb2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Gender Equality and Foreign Policy \u200b<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce8f7d7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ce8f7d7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f329a2d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f329a2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Priyanthi Fernando*<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Very often, the conversation around gender equality in foreign policy focuses on the equal representation of women in the foreign service, and in the military.\u00a0 I have heard the CEDAW Committee often question state parties about how many ambassadors or how many high ranking military and police officers are women, and I have always felt that this is not the right question.\u00a0 I am not saying women\u2019s representation is not important, but we in South Asia especially know that having women as heads of state isn\u2019t sufficient to challenge the patriarchy or do a lot for gender equality. In Sri Lanka, we have had many women in high offices &#8211; Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, Attorney Generals &#8211; but I am not sure any of that has done much for gender equality in Sri Lanka, at least not until now. Let\u2019s hope our new Prime Minister, a feminist and women\u2019s rights activist will indeed make a difference!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0We recently heard also US Vice President Kamala Harris in her nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, talk about her own immigrant mother\u2019s experience and focus on justice, non-discrimination, human rights, anti-gun violence, pro-sexual reproductive health and rights &#8211; highlighting all the issues that as feminists and as women we see as important.\u00a0 She also proudly declared that she was <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2018\u2019Kamala Harris for the People\u201d, <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">but then<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> she vowed that as Commander-in-Chief of the US Military, she would \u201censure America always has the strongest, most <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">lethal fighting force in the world<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a93e9f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a93e9f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fcc15c elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"9fcc15c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/BCIS-C3-Gender-Equality-and-Foreign-Policy-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/BCIS-C3-Gender-Equality-and-Foreign-Policy-1.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5a86a5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d5a86a5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6dd7ca e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c6dd7ca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65e5650 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"65e5650\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f73a767 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f73a767\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d691a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d691a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a1800f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a1800f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fee83a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2fee83a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">IMPORTANCE OF DEFINING THE TERM TERRORISM IN SRI LANKA:\nTerrorism Studies Perspectives<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4abab49 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4abab49\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5596f85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5596f85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Sinduja Umandi W. Jayaratne*<\/p><p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">The Anti-Terrorism Bill of Sri Lanka was gazetted on September 15<\/span><sup style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">th<\/sup><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); text-align: var(--text-align);\">, 2023, and presented to the Parliament by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms on 10th January 2024. The Bill has drawn the attention of the public due to its many pros and cons and has been criticized by different interest groups.<\/span><\/p><p>This commentary takes a Terrorism Studies perspective and highlights the importance of defining the term \u2018terrorism\u2019 by the State (Sri Lanka) as a specific offence so that it will be able to avoid any controversies in criminalizing other acts that do not fall within the generally accepted definition of \u2018terrorism\u2019. The authors\u2019 position is that because the term \u2018terrorism\u2019 is not defined by the Bill, there is too much vagueness in the offences listed, and therefore prioritizing \u2018acts of terrorism\u2019 has not been maintained as the focus of the Bill. This vagueness also allows for criticism of the Bill as a possible restriction and\/or violation of human rights.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ebe29f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6ebe29f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b09c63d elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"b09c63d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-C2-Importance-of-Defining-Terrorism-edited-1-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-C2-Importance-of-Defining-Terrorism-edited-1-1.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23e4c5b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"23e4c5b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-568c7fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"568c7fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd3970f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cd3970f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2530a64 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2530a64\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70f5233 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70f5233\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef226a3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ef226a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af66632 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"af66632\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">New Debt Crisis and South Asia \u2013 a Call for Collective Solutions\u200b<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5f7505 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b5f7505\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b144a90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b144a90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gdlr-core-pbf-element\"><div class=\"gdlr-core-title-item gdlr-core-item-pdb clearfix gdlr-core-left-align gdlr-core-title-item-caption-bottom gdlr-core-item-pdlr\"><span class=\"gdlr-core-title-item-caption gdlr-core-info-font gdlr-core-skin-caption\">Amali Wedagedara*<\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gdlr-core-pbf-element\"><div class=\"gdlr-core-text-box-item gdlr-core-item-pdlr gdlr-core-item-pdb gdlr-core-left-align\"><div class=\"gdlr-core-text-box-item-content\"><p>Debt payments of developing countries exceed their national revenue. Even though external debt is crippling economies in the global South, neither the financial and economic reform policies (structural reforms) advocated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank nor the developing countries as a geo-political bloc have responded sufficiently to address the crisis at hand. While the structural reforms advocated by IMF and the World Bank have become counterproductive, isolated responses of the developing countries to their respective debt crises have impeded a collaborated and coordinated strategy to hold international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank responsible and address the escalation of debt distress in developing countries following the interest rate hikes in the US and EU, Ukraine-Russia war and the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. the New Debt Crisis.<\/p><p>The absence of an informed collective response vis-\u00e0-vis the external debt problem is more palpable in South Asia compared to Latin America or Africa. This article is a preliminary attempt to bridge the gap by analysing South Asia\u2019s debt crisis. While contextualising the new debt crisis affecting South Asian countries, I argue that cultural explanations of the debt crisis of developing countries, undermining the political economy dimension of corruption, have not just diverted our attention away from addressing the structural weaknesses of the South Asian economies, making us accept poison as medicine.\u00a0 They have also stopped us from holding the IMF and the World Bank responsible for failing to ensure the stability of the global financial order, particularly in the interests of developing countries.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fadc3b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7fadc3b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-074c853 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"074c853\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/BCIS-C1-External-Debt-Crisis-in-South-Asia.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/BCIS-C1-External-Debt-Crisis-in-South-Asia.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7b9e08 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a7b9e08\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85cd3e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"85cd3e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"148\" src=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11812\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-300x43.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/BCIS-Commentary-1024x148-1-768x111.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24d8105 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"24d8105\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78f51d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"78f51d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit the author. For any queries, please email  <u><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"mailto:researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">researchdivision@bcis.edu.lk<\/a> <\/u><\/p><\/p>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ef2129 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2ef2129\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55a96de elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"55a96de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The UK Election 2024 \nand UK Foreign Policy on Rebuilding UK-EU Relations\n<\/h5>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16c655e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"16c655e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26e60d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26e60d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gdlr-core-pbf-element\"><div class=\"gdlr-core-title-item gdlr-core-item-pdb clearfix gdlr-core-left-align gdlr-core-title-item-caption-bottom gdlr-core-item-pdlr\"><p><strong>Isuri W. Siriwardhana<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>UK Internal Political Situation and External Relations 2010-2024<\/strong><\/p><p>Following the decisive elections held on July 04, 2024, the Labour Party came to power ending fourteen year long Conservative rule in the UK. With the Labour Party\u2019s landslide election victory, the UK&#8217;s political landscape will undergo significant changes in internal and external matters.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75ed15c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"75ed15c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;full&quot;}\" data-core-v316-plus=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-342a9ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-creative-button\" data-id=\"342a9ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-creative-button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t        <div class=\"eael-creative-button-wrapper\">\n\n            <a class=\"eael-creative-button eael-creative-button--default\" href=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BCIS-C4-UK-Elections-EU-Edited-Current-Affairs-4.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-text=\"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/BCIS-C4-UK-Elections-EU-Edited-Current-Affairs-4.pdf\">\n\n\t    \n                <div class=\"creative-button-inner\">\n\n                                            <span class=\"eael-creative-button-icon-left\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-readme\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M528.3 46.5H388.5c-48.1 0-89.9 33.3-100.4 80.3-10.6-47-52.3-80.3-100.4-80.3H48c-26.5 0-48 21.5-48 48v245.8c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h89.7c102.2 0 132.7 24.4 147.3 75 .7 2.8 5.2 2.8 6 0 14.7-50.6 45.2-75 147.3-75H528c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V94.6c0-26.4-21.3-47.9-47.7-48.1zM242 311.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V289c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V251zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H78.2c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm259.3 121.7c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.9c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5V228c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5v22.9zm0-60.9c0 1.9-1.5 3.5-3.5 3.5H337.5c-1.9 0-3.5-1.5-3.5-3.5v-22.8c0-1.9 1.5-3.5 3.5-3.5h160.4c1.9 0 3.5 1.5 3.5 3.5V190z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>                    \n                    <span class=\"cretive-button-text\">Read more...<\/span>\n\n                                    <\/div>\n\t                        <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This commentary reflects the views of the author and does not represent the position of the BCIS. If cited, reproduced, or shared online, please link to the URL and credit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11103","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11103","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11103"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11103\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17011,"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11103\/revisions\/17011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcis.edu.lk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11103"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}