States of Emergency - Centre for Policy Alternatives

security has been prioritised and the state has traversed the full
spectrum from protector and provider to predator. Consequently,
Sri Lanka’s claim to be a functioning democracy has been called
into question to the extent that the question of ‘state failure’ has
also been posed in relation to our government and governance.
Labelling of the crisis aside, there is no denying the existence of
one. This volume seeks to understand it through an exploration of
the tension between the requirements of security and democratic
freedoms, the theoretical underpinnings of that tension, and the
arguments integral to it as well as their application to the Sri
Lankan context. In this respect, it deals with an issue that is
squarely on the agenda of policy‐making, and political and
intellectual debate in a number of democracies, especially since
the events of 9/11 and the heightened challenge of terrorism. Our
commitment to liberal democracy in Sri Lanka obliges us to
engage with this issue, particularly since we have to be especially
vigilant that our response to terrorism does not destroy that
which we ought to protect, and that which terrorism by deLinition
is committed to destroying.
CPA appreciates the partnership of the Friedrich Naumann
Stiftung in this endeavour and to our continuing collaboration in
the Lield of democratic governance.
Special thanks are due to Asanga. His passion for and commitment
to liberal democratic ideas and values, as well as his considerable
intellectual curiosity are amply reLlected in this work. I hope and
trust that this volume will be received as a singular contribution to
debate and advocacy for democratic governance in Sri Lanka, I
believe it is.
Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu
Executive Director
Centre for Policy Alternatives
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