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Sunil Bastian
Articles

(2006) How Development Undermined Peace.

In: Kumar Rupesinghe, ed. Negotiating Peace in Sri Lanka, Efforts, Failures & Lessons. Volume 2, Foundation for Co-existence, Colombo.

The focus of this paper is the 2002 – 2004 peace process and the defeat of the UNF government in April 2004 general election. It begins with a description of the context in which the peace process began. The years 2000 and 2001 were characterised by a civil war without any end, regime instability and an economic crisis. This section argues that the economic crisis faced by the country in 2001 was a major impetus for the peace process.

As a result the UNF government launched a strategy consisting of three elements – a ceasefire agreement and negotiations with the LTTE, an extensive economic reform programme and a conscious attempt to mobilise international support for both these elements. It received enthusiastic support from donor countries. There was a remarkable degree of congruence in the interests and ideas between the UNF leadership and donors. The second part, which form the bulk of the paper focuses on the UNF strategy and politics of donor countries.

The last part of the paper goes on to explain the defeat of the UNF. The principal argument is that the overall vision which informed the UNF economic reform agenda was not conducive to maintaining the support of the majority Sinhala population. The politics of economic reform programme alienated a large section of the majority Sinhala population leading to the defeat of the UNF.

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BOOKS

Sustaining a state in conflict: Politics of foreign aid in Sri Lanka, Colombo:ICES, (2018) Sustaining a state in conflict: Politics of foreign aid in Sri Lanka, Colombo:ICES, (2018)
This study focuses on politics of foreign aid to Sri Lanka from developed countries of the West, Japan and multilateral agencies during the period 1977 to end of the armed conflict in 2009. This period is characterised by economic policies that emphasised liberal economic policies and an armed conflict resulting from the Tamil demand for a separate state. The study looks at politics of foreign aid in this context. Foreign aid played a dual role. It helped to sustain a state engaged in an armed conflict, while at the same time trying to promote a negotiated settlement. Therefore it was neither a do-gooder that liberals tend to believe nor a 'foreign devil that Sinhala nationalists like to see.

Can democracy be designed? Can democracy be designed?
(2003) Co-editor, Can Democracy be Designed? London: Zed Books.

Assessing participation - A debate from south asia Assessing participation - A debate from south asia
(1997) Co-editor, Assessing Participation: A Debate from South Asia. New Delhi: ITDG/Konark Publishers.

Devolution and Development in Sri Lanka Devolution and Development in Sri Lanka
(1994) Editor, Devolution and Development. New Delhi: Konark Publishers.

ARTICLES

(2009) Politics of Social Exclusion, State Reform and Security in Sri Lanka.

(2003) Foreign Aid, Globalisation and Conflict in Sri Lanka.

Focus on inequality

(2010) Politics and Power in a Market Economy.

BLOG

Post 2015 Presidential Election-Some thoughts

Post-war capitalism

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