In July 2022, Sri Lanka’s president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was forced to resign following mass protests. This came after a growing economic crisis that has effectively left the country bankrupt and unable to buy basic provisions, such as fuel, food and medicines. As a result, many now call it a failing state. And yet, just a decade ago, Sri Lanka was hailed as an economic success story. Having emerged from a almost three decades of civil war, it seemed well on the way to recovery. So, what happened? And can it still be saved?
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Around the world, there are many failed and failing states. But while many of them have a long history of conflict and mismanagement, Sri Lanka doesn’t seem to fit the mould of other collapsed countries. While it had fought an exceptionally bitter and brutal conflict against the Tamil Tigers, this had ended in 2009. Since, then the country seemed to be rebuilding and had even been praised by the World Bank for its efforts. And yet, beneath the surface, the situation was far less positive. Under the Rajapaksa family, the country had become increasingly corrupt and authoritarian. At the same time, it built up unsustainable levels of debt, especially to China. However, the underlying problems would be exacerbated by a series of events, including a devastating terrorist attack and the global pandemic – as well as by a series of disastrous decisions. But can the new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, turn things around?
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:44 Failed and Failing States: Sri Lanka
2:11 Geography and Demographics of Sri Lanka
3:01 History of Sri Lanka
4:25 The Sri Lankan Civil War
6:41 Rebuilding Sri Lanka
8:03 The Growing Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka
10:16 Economic and Political Collapse in Sri Lanka
11:56 Can Sri Lanka be Saved?
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FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES
Parliament of Sri Lanka YouTube
Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2020
Sri Lanka IMF
Return to Sri Lanka: Travels in a Paradoxical Land
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Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know [PRE-ORDER]
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KEYWORDS
#SriLanka #EconomicCrisis #Rajapaksa
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