Electoral Politics in Sri Lanka

Electoral Politics in Sri Lanka
Author: S. Keethaponcalan
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 205
Release: 2022-07-21
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1000613496

This volume examines and analyses electoral politics in Sri Lanka through the theoretical framework of manipulation. The following questions guided the study: how do political actors manipulate elections, and what are the salient features of electoral politics in Sri Lanka? Primary and secondary data formed the basis of the analysis, examining eight presidential elections. The research findings indicated that Sri Lankan governments, political parties and political leaders have taken advantage of six types of electoral manipulation, including constitutional tinkering, field fixing, time fixing, vote suppression, process manipulation and resource manipulation. Through a close examination of eight presidential elections, research carried out for the volume found that elections are often associated with violence; presidential elections are mainly a majoritarian affair in which minority communities play only a marginal role; there is a significant gender imbalance, as women’s participation in the electoral process is very limited; despite the presence of a large number of candidates contesting the election, it always remains a two-way race; and amid extensive manipulation and other problems, voter participation tends to be high. This volume will be a valuable resource for students, academics and researchers who focus on democracy, good governance, electoral studies and South Asian politics and history, and will enhance the conceptual foundation of democracy advocates and activists.

Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka

Historical Dictionary of Sri Lanka
Author: S. W. R. de A. Samarasinghe
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 276
Release: 1998
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780810832800

An introduction to Sri Lanka's geography, people, early history, foreign rule, independence, and modern history is followed by a dictionary covering the people, places, and events that have shaped the country. Includes a detailed chronology, statistical tables, graphs, appendices, and a detailed bibliography. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Decolonising Peacebuilding

Decolonising Peacebuilding
Author: Chamindra Weerawardhana
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2019-01-08
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1527524515

Exploring the conflict management trajectories of Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka, this book engages in a discussion that highlights the importance of ‘decolonising’ approaches to peacebuilding and conflict management in deeply divided societies. Existing knowledge on the topic is largely produced in the Western academy, using global North-centric approaches. This book, written by a researcher from the global South who navigates the political life of a deeply divided society in Western Europe, begins a conversation on a new, 21st century re-conceptualization of ethno-national conflict in deeply divided societies, based on a paradigm of decolonising. This book will appeal to policymakers and practitioners in peacebuilding and related areas worldwide, and students of peace and conflict studies, as well as a general readership with an interest in decolonial approaches to world politics.

Reaping The Whirlwind

Reaping The Whirlwind
Author: K M de Silva
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 453
Release: 2000-10-14
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 9351184285

A critical analysis of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka In the eighties, Sri Lanka, once considered the ‘model’ colony, was torn apart by ethnic strife between the predominantly Buddhist Sinhalas, constituting almost threequarters of the island’s inhabitants, and the numerically fewer Tamils, who were a mix of Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Massacres occurred after the riots of May 1983, and over time about 1,25,000 Tamils entered India as refugees, fleeing from a virtual civil war which still afflicts the north of the island. The author, a renowned Sri Lankan analyst of global ethnic conflict, discusses the historical reasons behind the ethnic violence, especially the growth of the Sinhalas’ feeling of being a beleagured minority despite their numerical strength. Analysing the present conflict, he shows how the language policy of ‘Sinhala Only’, followed by the government in the sixties, supplanted religion as a divisive factor and how rivalry over educational and employment opportunities fuelled the schism. Bringing the story up to the present, de Silva examines the role played by Indian and Tamil Nadu politicians, and President Kumaratunga’s efforts towards a devolution of power to the Tamil Provinces. But given the LTTE’s acceptance of nothing less than Eelam, he sees little hope of an early end to the violence that has racked Sri Lanka for almost two decades now.

Civilian Rule In The Developing World

Civilian Rule In The Developing World
Author: Constantine P. Danopoulos
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 245
Release: 2019-03-07
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0429715056

This book presents a number of case studies focusing on the factors, methods and means of civilian control of the military in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Guyana, Jamaica, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism

Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism
Author: A. Jeyaratnam Wilson
Publisher: UBC Press
Total Pages: 222
Release: 2000
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780774807593

Through a succession of key stages since Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) became independent in 1948, its Tamil minority, historically concentrated in the north and east but with an important segment in Colombo, became alienated from the Sinhalese majority and, after peaceful opposition failed to secure its rights, resorted to an armed struggle. The Tamil Tigers (LTTE) today appear to hold the key to their people’s future. While they have suffered setbacks, including the loss of the Tamil capital, Jaffna, they remain a potent guerrilla force, able to strike with impunity at both military and civilian targets. The Tigers’ grip on the Tamil population seems secure, as does their overseas support and funding from Tamil exiles in Britain, Canada, and Australia. This book offers a concise history of the Sri Lankan Tamil nation, its culture, social make-up, and political evolution. In a final chapter, A. J. V. Chandrakanthan gives a first-hand account of life and attitudes inside the embattled Tamil areas today. A. Jeyaratnam Wilson teaches in the Department of Political Science at the University of New Brunswick. He is the author of The Break-Up of Sri Lanka and S. J. V. Chelvanayakam and the Crisis of Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism. A. J. V. Chandrakanthan teaches in the Department of Theology at Concordia University, Montreal.

Constitutions, Religion and Politics in Asia

Constitutions, Religion and Politics in Asia
Author: Dian A. H. Shah
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2017-10-26
Genre: History
ISBN: 1107183340

Shah uncovers the complex interaction between constitutional law, religion and politics in three key plural societies in Asia.