Georgetown University

WHO:

Asoka Bandarage, associate professor at Georgetown’s Public Policy Institute and author of "The Separatist Conflict in Sri Lanka: Terrorism, Ethnicity, Political Economy"

WHAT:

Georgetown University’s Mortara Center for International Studies and the South Asia Forum will host a book launch and discussion with Asoka Bandarage, author of “The Separatist Conflict in Sri Lanka: Terrorism, Ethnicity, Political Economy” (Routledge 2008).

In the book, Bandarage provides a detailed historically-based analysis of the origin, evolution and potential resolution of the civil conflict in Sri Lanka over the struggle to establish a separate state in its Northern and Eastern provinces. Taking into account diverse ethnic groups, intra-ethnic, social class, caste and other variables at the local, regional and international levels, Bandarage looks beyond the familiar bipolar Sinhala versus Tamil ethnic antagonism, to show how the form and content of ethnicity are shaped by historical social forces. She also presents a conceptual framework useful for comparative global conflict analysis and resolution, shedding light on a host of complex issues such as terrorism, civil society, diasporas, international intervention and secessionism.

WHEN:

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at Noon

WHERE:

Georgetown University
Mortara Center (Conference Room)
3600 N Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20057

SPONSORS:

Georgetown University’s Mortara Center for International Studies and the South Asia Forum

COVERAGE:

Media interested in attending must RSVP to Rachel Pugh at 202-687-4328 or rmp47@georgetown.edu. Press will need to present valid credentials on campus.