Prof. G.L. Peiris addresses seminar at national university of Singapore

The picture shows Prof. G.L. Peiris (R) and Prof. Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director of the Institute.

Prof. G.L. Peiris, former Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, addressed a seminar on current international affairs and the peace process of Sri Lanka last week at the National University of Singapore. The seminar was organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies of Singapore University. The event was chaired by Prof. Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director of the Institute.

Prof. Peiris presented an analysis of far-reaching changes in the world at present, with emphasis on the replacement of rules-based systems by unilateralism and impulse and scant regard being paid to legitimacy. 

Against the background of peace processes assuming heightened significance in many parts of the world, he dealt with the structure and dynamics of the peace process in his own country, examining its limited  achievements and the reasons why it had failed to achieve its broader objectives. While each situation has unique characteristics and successful initiatives cannot be mechanically applied in different contexts, he explained the value of the Sri Lankan experience from a comparative perspective. A vigorous question and answer session followed. The seminar was attended by academics, diplomats, and representatives of civil society.