Roshni Kapur

Roshni Kapur is a Programme Manager at the Rule of Law Asia Programme, Konrad-Adenaeur-Stiftung and PhD student at the University of Ghent. She specialises in political violence, caste, social change, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, nationalism, violent extremism and transitional justice in South Asia. She is an editor of the book 'Sustainable Energy Transition in South Asia'.

CNA •

Commentary: Personality politics matters more than party loyalty in Sri Lankan general elections

SINGAPORE: The government of incumbent Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has secured a “super-majority” in the country’s parliamentary elections. Results announced on Friday (Aug 7) revealed that the incumbent President’s party - the Sri Lanka People's Front (SLPP) - won 59.09 per cent of the votes. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), an opposition alliance, won 23.09 per cent of the votes – the next highest in the elections held last week. While the SLPP’s victory was anticipated, the scale
CNA •

Commentary: After a five-year hiatus, why the Rajapaksas are back in power in Sri Lanka

SINGAPORE: Sri Lanka’s presidential election held on Saturday (Nov 16) saw former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa elected as its seventh president with 52.25 per cent of the votes. Rajapaksa, a former military leader personnel and a tech whiz, edged out his main contender Sajith Premadasa of the United National Party (UNP), a career politician of around 20 years, who secured 41.99 per cent of the votes.

This election was arguably the most dynamic, competitive and hard-fought with a record
CNA •

Commentary: How the Easter Sunday bombings reshaped Sri Lanka’s political landscape

SINGAPORE: Sri Lanka’s political landscape is fragile than ever - with frequent protests, no-confidence motion and a dysfunctional government. Elections Commission chairman Mahinda Deshapriya announced earlier last month that presidential elections will be held between Nov 15 and Dec 8. Although the nominees have yet to be confirmed, both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe may contest for the presidency. The chances of either of them winning the presidential e
CNA •

Commentary: Governments criticise China yet sign deals with them still

SINGAPORE: There is growing anxiety about the increased Chinese footprint in South Asia and Africa within the strategic community in the West and India.

Chinese projects have raised concerns about the lack of transparency, sustainable development, and being politically motivated. This has led to pushback against the Asian giant.

Yet in many countries where political parties have swept to power on an anti-China card, these same parties in government have ended up signing new deals with Beijing.