Project

Muttukrishna Sarvananthan Offers Insights Into Terrorism and Radicalization in Sri Lanka

Muttukrishna Sarvananthan

DOI: 10.26303/pcw4-t031

What is it about?

Sri Lanka has suffered numerous terrorist attacks in its history, with attacks being committed by a diverse range of organizations. These organizations have included the so-called Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (or Tamil Tigers for short), which used terrorism in its attempts to create a separate Tamil state, and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, a Marxist-Leninist group that staged uprisings against the Sri Lankan government. Countering terrorism and radicalization is a key concern for Sri Lanka’s general public, policymakers, and policy researchers. One such policy researcher is Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, PhD, a developmental economist who specializes in researching the economic development of Sri Lanka. Dr. MS serves as a Principal Researcher at the Point Pedro Institute of Development, which he founded in 2004.

Over the years, Dr. MS has authored numerous publications concerning topics relevant to terrorism and radicalization in Sri Lanka, and his current research focuses on the radicalization of young Sri Lankan Muslims. He has worked on developing a framework for distinguishing between terrorism and legitimate national liberation activism, and his research has led him to successfully predict future events. For example, in 2006, he predicted the eventual demise of the Tamil Tigers, and the group was in fact defeated in 2009.

The Point Pedro Institute of Development has created a research incubation to undertake a collaborative research study on the pathways to radicalisation of Muslim youths in Sri Lanka in the post-civil war (post-2009) period. The members of this research incubation are Zahrah Imtiaz, Nushka Nafeel, Rathindra Kuruwita, and Muttukrishna Sarvananthan (mentor).

Although this research incubation has been self-funded to date, the Point Pedro Institute of Development is seeking funding for this innovative and timely initiative.

Why is it important?

Sri Lanka has experienced some of the world’s worst acts of modern terrorism, including suicide bombings, massacres of civilians, and the assassinations of political leaders. In 1993, suicide bombing by the Tamil Tigers resulted in the death of Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa, and other suicide bombings by the group have claimed the lives of numerous Sri Lankan government ministers, members of Sri Lanka’s parliament, and provincial and local Sri Lankan officials. By offering evidence-based insights into terrorism and radicalization in Sri Lanka, Dr. Sarvananthan can help Sri Lankan policymakers in their efforts to prevent terrorism and radicalization.

Audience briefings1 total

  • Press briefing

    Dr. Muttukrishna Sarvananthan: An Expert on Terrorism and Radicalization in Sri Lanka

    7th June 2021, Point Pedro, Sri Lanka – terrorism has a long and tragic history in Sri Lanka, with groups such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (or Tamil Tigers for short) carrying out suicide bombings, massacres of civilians, and the targeted assassinations of political leaders. In 1993, a Tamil Tiger suicide bombing resulted in the death of Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa, and other Tamil Tiger suicide bombings have claimed the lives of numerous Sri Lankan government ministers, members of Sri Lanka’s parliament, and provincial and local Sri Lankan officials. Given this history, countering terrorism and radicalization is a key concern for Sri Lanka’s general public, policymakers, and policy researchers, and Sri Lankan policymakers have a strong interest in evidence-based insights into the policies that best serve to prevent terrorism and radicalization.

    One researcher who can offer such evidence-based insights is Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, PhD, a developmental economist who specializes in researching the economic development of Sri Lanka. Dr. Sarvananthan serves as a Principal Researcher at the Point Pedro Institute of Development, which he founded in 2004. Over the years, Dr. Sarvananthan has authored numerous publications concerning terrorism and radicalization in Sri Lanka. He has worked to develop a framework for distinguishing between terrorism and legitimate national liberation activism, and his research has enabled him to successfully predict future events. For example, in 2006, he predicted the eventual demise of the Tamil Tigers, and the group was in fact defeated in 2009. Dr. Sarvananthan’s current research focuses on the radicalization of young Sri Lankan Muslims, a major concern for Sri Lanka since the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009.

    By heeding the lessons from Dr. Sarvananthan’s research into terrorism and radicalization, Sri Lankan policymakers can provide Sri Lanka’s citizens with a better, more peaceful future.

Resources3 total

Who is involved?