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Sri Lanka

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Sri Lanka’s new government faces backlash over IMF debt repayment plan

President Dissanayake has chosen to continue with the current IMF programme, raising concerns about its impact on economic growth and relief for the population.

30 Nov 2024 - 7:53AMvideocam

India

Adani projects in Sri Lanka face probe after US bribery charges

26 Nov 2024 - 6:06PM

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Sri Lanka’s new leftist government sticks within IMF ‘guard rails’

23 Nov 2024 - 6:09PM

China-Sri Lanka relations

Opinion | In Sri Lanka, China and India have a chance to join hands

The island nation could benefit from the expertise of Beijing and New Delhi, which would do well to help Colombo resist Western influence.

20 Nov 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

A vendor displays newspapers for sale at a stall in Kandy on November 16, 2024. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leftist coalition won a majority in snap parliamentary polls, provisional results showed on November 15. Photo: AFP

Asia elections

Landslide win in Sri Lanka for Dissanayake’s leftist coalition

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, whose coalition took at least 159 seats in the 225-member assembly, said thanks ‘to all who voted for a renaissance’.

15 Nov 2024 - 5:07PMvideocam

Asia elections

Women candidates signal potential shift in Sri Lanka’s male-dominated politics

While analysts welcome the increase, they caution that more women in politics alone won’t challenge patriarchal norms and achieve true gender equality.

13 Nov 2024 - 9:43PM

Digital Transformation

What China is doing to make ports ‘smart’ and not prone to work stoppages

A unit of state-owned China Merchants Group is pushing a range of automation and digital technologies to make ports smarter.

10 Nov 2024 - 12:44PM

Cargo containers stacked at the Yantian terminal in the Port of Shenzhen. Photo: AFP

US presidential election 2024

Outside In | Does Trump’s election signal a crisis of legitimacy for democracy?

If the US is a bellwether for what is to become of democratic governance worldwide, then grounds for alarm are well founded.

9 Nov 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

Israel

Israelis remain in Sri Lanka surfing town despite terrorism warning

Israel’s national security council called on Israelis to get out of tourist areas in Sri Lanka’s south, claiming a terrorist threat.

26 Oct 2024 - 6:00PM

United States

US warns of attack threat in Sri Lanka surf haven popular with Israelis

Police have boosted security measures in Arugam Bay, a famous surfing destination frequented by Israeli travellers.

23 Oct 2024 - 4:15PMvideocam

A man cleans surfboards at a rental shop in Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. Photo: Reuters

Bangladesh

As China’s navy docks in Bangladesh, India watches with ‘growing concern’

Beijing is keen to cement ties with the new interim government in Dhaka – but analysts say all India sees is ‘continuous Chinese build-up’.

20 Oct 2024 - 3:00PM

Chinese naval training ship Qi Jiguang docks in Chittagong, Bangladesh, on October 12. Photo: Xinhua

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake seeks strong win in election to advance crucial reforms

Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s National People’s Power, which holds only three seats currently, is aiming to win a parliamentary majority.

18 Oct 2024 - 12:00PMvideocam

Crime

Hundreds of Chinese men arrested over online scams in Sri Lanka

Cybercrime raids also uncovered two suspects from Vietnam, as well as one each from Thailand and the Philippines.

16 Oct 2024 - 11:24AM

China’s military

Sri Lanka allows Chinese navy ship to dock despite ban

The Chinese crew will stay until Friday, offering ‘briefings’ to Sri Lankan sailors and visiting tourist attractions, Colombo’s navy said.

9 Oct 2024 - 12:02PM

The Chinese navy’s sailing training ship Po Lang seen berthed at the port in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

India

India gains ‘advantage’ over China as new Sri Lanka leader seeks to balance ties

New leader Dissanayake is a ‘practical nationalist’ who is likely to factor India’s security concerns into his foreign policy, analysts say.

2 Oct 2024 - 2:00PMvideocam

Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addresses the nation on September 25. Photo: Sri Lanka’s President Office/AFP

China-Sri Lanka relations

Sri Lanka’s new leader to seek ‘maximum support’ from China: analysts

Beijing expects ‘new progress’ between the two countries as left-leaning president-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake takes the helm.

25 Sep 2024 - 2:35PMvideocam

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Sri Lanka’s new president sparks optimism, doubts over IMF loan revamp persist

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promises Sri Lankans that his coalition government aims to end the country’s economic and debt crisis.

25 Sep 2024 - 1:51AMvideocam

Asia elections

Sri Lanka elects leftist leader in rejection of political elite

23 Sep 2024 - 6:31PM

03:12

Asia elections

Marxist-leaning Dissanayake set to become Sri Lanka’s next president

Dissanayake polled 42.3 per cent of the votes, a massive boost to the 3 per cent he managed in the last presidential election in 2019.

23 Sep 2024 - 6:55PMvideocam

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Sri Lanka votes in first poll since economic collapse

The current leader faces an uphill battle to convince Sri Lankans his economic recovery plan is working and he deserves a second term.

21 Sep 2024 - 12:48PMvideocam

China-Sri Lanka relations

Sri Lanka’s next president could ‘make or break the country’

20 Sep 2024 - 10:56AM

05:57

Asia elections

Sri Lanka’s 3-way presidential race: will the economy or ethnic issues prevail?

Analysts predict the race will narrow to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, each offering distinct visions.

20 Sep 2024 - 11:04AMvideocam

Voters wave Sri Lankan flags during a public rally in Colombo. Photo: AP

Australia

Inside the hidden world of modern slavery in Australia’s diplomatic heart

Recent court rulings reveal harrowing stories of abuse and neglect at the hands of envoys operating under diplomatic immunity in Canberra.

9 Sep 2024 - 8:00AM

India

China, India among 35 countries added to Sri Lanka visa-free list

Tourists will be given 30-day visas under a six-month pilot programme that will start from October 1.

22 Aug 2024 - 4:06PM

Bangladesh

Opinion | Unrest in Bangladesh is canary in coal mine for Global South

To surpass the West, the so-called ‘rest’ must first reckon with economic mismanagement, youth unemployment and shifting public opinion.

21 Aug 2024 - 8:40AMvideocam

Australia

Sri Lanka defends envoy in Australia fined for ‘modern slavery’ of maid

The Federal Court of Australia found that Himalee Arunatilaka had breached the Fair Work Act, and was ordered to pay more than US$360,000 in back wages to her former housekeeper.

19 Aug 2024 - 4:30PM

An Australia court found Himalee Arunatilaka breached the Fair Work Act, and was ordered to pay US$360,000 in back wages to her former housekeeper. Photo: Shutterstock

India

Sri Lanka’s presidential election: a battleground for China vs India influence

Sri Lanka’s September polls could prove to be a ‘game changer’ for its relations with its two most powerful neighbours, analysts say.

19 Aug 2024 - 8:29AMvideocam

China-India relations

China’s scientific sea voyages might rile India, but will they lead to clash?

Chinese research ships in Indian Ocean will raise alarms, but New Delhi is unlikely to escalate unless it feels threatened, analysts say.

16 Aug 2024 - 12:04AM

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Sri Lanka

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Sri Lanka. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Colombo

Head of State

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Head of Government

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

last updated:

29 November, 2024