IPS launches new publication in memory of late Saman Kelegama

• Releases ‘Managing domestic and international challenges and opportunities in post-conflict development’

The heightened volatility in the world economy since the global financial crisis, the emergence of China as a dominant economic and military power and intensifying geopolitical rivalries and tensions pose complex economic and political policy challenges for small countries embarking on post-conflict development.  

These issues are nowhere better exemplified than in the case of Sri Lanka. Ten years after ending its civil conflict in 2009, which opened the door for reconstruction and economic development, the country is still struggling to manage macroeconomic stability in the face of a burdensome debt overhang, navigate crucial regulatory reforms and balance economic partnerships.

These are some of the key issues that are discussed in a new publication to be released soon. ‘Managing domestic and international challenges and opportunities in post-conflict development: Lessons from Sri Lanka’, edited by Dushni Weerakoon and Sisira Jayasuriya, will be launched by the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) today at the 12th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES XII). The book contains contributions by locally and internationally eminent Sri Lankan economists. 

Published by Springer, the book is released in memory of IPS’ former Executive Director, the late Dr. Saman Kelegama. He was a versatile scholar and committed public intellectual whose research was motivated by the search for solutions to major economic policy issues, including the economic costs of conflict and war, and the challenges of post-conflict recovery and reconstruction. 

Paying tribute to Dr. Kelegama’s legacy, the publication draws lessons from the story of Sri Lanka’s post-conflict development in the context of a struggle for sociopolitical reconciliation, a turbulent world economy and difficult internal and external political challenges. The book will be of interest to researchers, policymakers and development partners. 

The book will be released at the Saman Kelegama Memorial Lecture today to mark two years since his demise. The lecture will be delivered by Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva.