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‘Structural constraints on SA media undermined prospects for regional amity – Himal Southasian Editor

Published

2 months ago

2026/02/12

Himal Southasian Editor Roman Gautam (extreme left) addressing the gathering

Himal Southasian Editor Roman Gautam has said that despite many journalists’ best intentions to foster regional cooperation, structural constraints within which South Asian media operates have significantly undermined prospects for regional amity. While acknowledging continued journalistic intent across the region, some which have managed to prevail, he identified financial dependence, political subordination, and the growing gap between intent and outcome as central challenges facing regional media.

Gautam made these observations when he addressed the RCSS Strategic Dialogue – 3 on the theme “Where does the media stand in connecting (or dividing) Southasia?”, on 2 February 2026 at the Board Room of the RCSS in Colombo. Moderated by the Executive Director of the RCSS Amb. (Retd.) Ravinatha Aryasinha, it brought together serving and retired senior public servants, diplomats, academics, and civil society representatives, and journalists, with additional participation via Zoom of members of the recently formed ‘RCSS Alumni Network’ spread across the globe. ED Aryasinha highlighted the longstanding common vision shared between Himal Southasian founded in 1987 and the RCSS founded in 1992, at a time there were real possibilities for South Asian regionalism and collaboration. He noted that despite the turbulence over the years, both Himal Southasian and the RCSS retained its ‘South Asian Regional Spirit’ enabling scholars and writers in South Asian, and also focussing on South Asia to collaborate on issues of shared concern, retaining a foundation of trust and cross-border engagement.

Gautam opened his remarks by acknowledging the historical role of journalists in South Asian regionalism, noting that journalists have always been involved in informing regional populations about each other and, particularly during the heyday of track-two diplomacy, actively working toward reconciliation across borders. However, he questioned whether fostering state-to-state connections should be the journalists’ role and responsibility, even through track-two channels. More critically, despite continued intent among many journalists across initiatives in the region, a realistic assessment shows severe limitations in fostering genuine regional spirit. The answer, he emphasized, lies in examining the structures within which journalists work today, rather than questioning their motivations or commitment.

He presented cases from recent upheavals in Nepal and Bangladesh to illustrate how media coverage served domestic political interests at the cost of regional goodwill. In each case, stray opinions voiced by a few participants were seized upon and fed to audiences in sensational fashion, with no effort to canvass broader opinion or extensively research issues. Selective coverage that pandered to domestic political interests ignored ground realities and broader contexts. Gautam traced these patterns as pandering to structural realities: reliance on government advertising, corporate capture creating vulnerabilities to state pressure, and ideological alignment. The need for financial survival prompted media to subscribe to official narratives, as failure to abide by the official line could spell financial ruin. Gautam who characterized social media as enabling understanding but also extremism, suggested regional platforms could help bring journalists together, and acknowledged the dire situation faced by persecuted journalists, with no real support mechanisms.

Gautam also discussed SAARC’s past contributions and constraints. Though designed to promote regional collaboration, the organisation’s impact has been limited by political friction, especially between India and Pakistan. However, he noted that programs such as RCSS’s workshops and fellowships prove that non-governmental actors, particularly journalists, can facilitate mutual understanding across borders, even if on a smaller scale. He underscored that such modest initiatives are crucial for building dialogue and knowledge-sharing traditions in South Asia.

During the discussion, participants explored social media’s impact, SAARC revitalization, generational shifts in media consumption, press freedom, disinformation and journalist persecution. Participants debated whose ‘South Asia’ is being discussed, with Gautam emphasizing it as a common cause built on synergies rather than belonging to any single conception. The power-based nature of the current global order was highlighted, with observations that even brave journalists find themselves let down by institutions, and that both external and internal factors limit media’s role in regionalism.

A principal question raised was whether this critique referred to the totality of media or to specific divisive elements. Gautam clarified that all media is not a monolithic and that independent journalists continue working outside these structures across the region, some successfully. He highlighted the efforts being made by Himal Southasian and others to preserve that space. However, an overall point made was that as a result of these structural constraints and negative media practices, South Asian regionalism has suffered badly. He acknowledged that as matters stand currently, there is a very real information gap about South Asian realities among South Asian publics. This was a huge problem that needs to be managed reflectively, and the region’s more enlightened media could play a constructive role in taking up this challenge.

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Sun directly overhead Beruwala, Gurulubadda, Rakwana, Godakawela, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila at about 12:13 noon today (06)

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/6

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (06th) are Beruwala, Gurulubadda, Rakwana, Godakawela, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila at about 12:13 noon.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/6

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 05 April 2026, valid for 06 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

West Asian conflict benefits China-managed H’tota Port

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/6

Thilina Walpola

Extended yard facility, HIP (pic courtesy HIP)

The ongoing West Asia war, triggered by joint Israel-US attack on Iran on 28 Februar, has benefited the China-run Hambantota International Port (HIP).With Iran imposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz shipping, in retaliation for unprovoked attack, thereby choking vital shipping routes, particularly for crude oil and refined oil products, HIP situated, along the East-West shipping corridor, has received the anticipated attention.

Soon after the sinking of an unarmed Iranian frigate, just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, in India’s backyard, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar categorised HIP as a foreign military base, along with Diego Garcia, Bahrain and Djibouti, where both the US and China maintained major bases.

HIP, in a press release issued on Sunday (05), declared that the Port has significantly expanded its operational capacity, in response to a sharp surge in global shipping volumes, resulting from the West Asia conflict.

The company asserted that the developing situation reinforced its position as a key alternative hub along the East–West shipping corridor.

The port has doubled its Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) yard capacity and increased its container yard capacity by 30%, as shipping lines divert operations away from disrupted routes in search of stable and efficient alternatives.

HIP is situated just 10 nautical miles from the main East–West shipping route, allowing vessels to divert with minimal deviation while maintaining schedule integrity.

The Chinese government-owned China Merchant Port Holdings (CMPort) under controversial circumstances acquired controlling interests of the Hambantota port in 2017 during the Yahapalanaya administration. Although the Sri Lankan government repeatedly said that Sri Lanka was paid USD 1.12 bn according to the HIP website CMPort invested $974 mn in the HIP and held 85 percent of the shares.

The 2017 agreement granted CMPort a 99-year lease to develop, manage and operate the Port area. The Supreme Court dismissed a fundamental rights petition filed by lawmaker Vasudeva Nanayakkara pointing out that the original agreements pertaining to the Hambantota port had been signed in 2012 and 2013 during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure as the president when he was a member of the Rajapaksa Cabinet.

The HIP press release quoted CEO of HIP Wilson Qu as having said: “What we are witnessing today is a structural shift in global shipping patterns. At HIP, we have focused on building the capacity and operational agility to respond to such changes. Our ability to scale quickly, combined with our location, allows us to support global shipping lines when reliability becomes critical. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in infrastructure and capabilities to strengthen Hambantota’s role as a key logistics and transshipment hub in the region.”

The rise in both vehicle transshipment and container volumes has driven yard utilization levels to the highest in HIP’s history, highlighting the scale of ongoing supply chain disruptions and the port’s growing strategic importance in global trade.

To accommodate increased throughput, HIP has rapidly expanded yard space across both cargo segments, enabling it to handle higher volumes while maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing congestion. Expanding capacity within a short time frame in a live port environment presents considerable operational and technical challenges and requires significant investment. However, through close coordination across management, engineering and operational teams, HIP was able to deliver these enhancements in step with rising demand.

The HIP statement added: “The expansion reflects Hambantota International Port’s continued development as a resilient logistics platform in the Indian Ocean, as geopolitical developments reshape established maritime routes and increase demand for alternative hubs. As infrastructure scales in tandem with demand, HIP is increasingly positioned to capture a larger share of regional transshipment volumes while supporting the continuity of global supply chains.”

Amidst the continuing uncertainty caused by war and growing threat to international shipping the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) the owning group of HIP recently finalised an agreement to invest USD 108 mn to procure new container handling equipment- six quay cranes, 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and 40 trailers, under the initial phase of the port’s Phase II container terminal development.

By Shamindra Ferdinando