The Centre for Law And Security Studies (CLASS) was established to research, analyze and comment on important regional security and foreign policy issues from a Sri Lankan perspective, as a response to the ever-evolving legal and security landscape that is prevalent across the globe.
The inception of the Centre for Law And Security Studies (CLASS) came about as a response to the evolving legal and security environment globally. The complexities of modern conflict have brought forth a multitude of pressing issues, impacting both the private and public sectors and creating a sense of instability. CLASS acknowledges the necessity of addressing both “law” and “security” in tandem as the cornerstone of discussions in the 21st Century. It recognizes Sri Lanka as a prime setting for facilitating such dialogue.
CLASS has identified 4 major thematic areas under which it seeks to fulfill its objectives.
In a transforming era of technology, ethics and human rights, it is nearly impossible to predict the future on a macro level. Studying both peace and conflict concurrently, as two sides of the same coin, helps gain insight into how either field is likely to evolve in the 21st Century.
Modern politics is also undergoing rapid changes around the world, with governance becoming a highly contested issue thanks to the proliferation of democracies around the world. Governance is also a key issue where the public and private sectors are direct stakeholders.
It would be impossible to understand the world’s changing landscape without paying attention to law and order. This is especially true today, where the global liberal order is being challenged both by geopolitical competition and regional fragility.
Analyzing the above issues will shed knowledge, but create no solutions. However, focused research on policy alternatives, alongside mitigation measures such as risk analysis, predictive indicators etc, will provide solutions to these problems, hence making up a crucial part of CLASS’ thematic pillars.
