The International Journal of Ethnic and Social Studies (IJESS) includes international scholarly research, widening the geographical range of contributors, perspectives and subject matter. Papers in this issue include: The Small holding tea plantations of Sri Lanka and Assam by Kalyan Das. The demoness kali and the Lord Buddha: Sense and reference in a Buddhist text on revenge and violence by Gananath Obeysekere. Addressing the past and considering the future: An inter-disciplinary examination of Afghanistan,s development by Andrew M Ward. World heritage at risk: The destruction of Iraq,s cultural heritage by Nancy C Wilkie.