President Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Indian Ocean Security Conference in Colombo that the sanctions imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine had not caused the collapse of the Russian economy, which had just shifted eastwards. The following is the text of the statement issued at the conference (Phase II) organised by the Pathfinder Foundation: […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe had ordered an investigation into a notification issued to Russian and Ukrainian tourists, without prior Cabinet approval, that they had to leave the country within 14 days, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said on Sunday (25). The PMD said the Sri Lankan government had not officially decided to revoke the visa extensions […]

The Ministry of Public Security has asserted that Government of Sri Lanka has not made any decision thus far pertaining to Russian and Ukrainian tourists despite recent reports, adding that the matter will be thoroughly investigated.

By EMERITUS PROFESSOR RANJITH SENARATNE, Chairman, National Science Foundation and former General President, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science The global order in a state of flux Rapid economic and political changes in emerging economies and developing countries have an impact on the existing world order that is gradually moving from a Western-centred […]

Indonesia and Sri Lanka s foreign ministers called on the European Union to be consistent in its approach to the conflict in Gaza as it has with Ukraine, as ministers from Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathered for meetings in Brussels on Friday.

Secretary to the Treasury and Finance Ministry Mahinda Siriwardana has said that even if Sri Lanka achieves the goal of zero corruption, tax revenue will still have to be increased to bridge the budget deficit and lessen the country’s debt burden. Referring to the Supreme Court ruling pertaining to economic management delivered on Nov 14, […]

Over 300 oil and gas cargo vessels have visited the Hambantota international Port (HIP) in 2023, recording a 132 percent increase in vessel calls compared to 2022, Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) said in a press release on Wednesday (31). A key reason for this is the port’s bunkering partner Sinopec actively operating in the […]

In the global political landscape of 2024, Reuters provides a comprehensive overview of key elections shaping the economic and geopolitical landscape across diverse regions. From Europe, where the rise of Eurosceptic far-right parties poses challenges to the European Union’s integration, to Russia, where Vladimir Putin is set for another term amid heightened tensions with the […]

Tuesday 23rd January, 2024 Sri Lankan ministers are never short of lame excuses, which they are adept at fabricating. Never do they own up to their blunders, which have landed the country in the current predicament. When the economy went into a tailspin, they promptly blamed the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic, but […]

India’s domestic and foreign situation has changed tremendously compared to four years ago and it has achieved outstanding results in economic development and social governance, said an article published in China’s state-run Global Times. The article authored by Zhang Jiadong, director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, said India has made […]

Monday 25th December, 2023 Christmas has dawned with the message of peace, love and hope while the world is embroiled in multiple crises which have not spared even the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Bethlehem, under the shadow of war, is devoid of customary Christmas celebrations this year, according to media reports. Nothing will however diminish […]

[An article based on the Keynote Address delivered by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, recently at the Annual Research Symposium 2023 of the University of Colombo] Introduction Inflation affects every aspect of our lives; it is a force that shapes our purchasing power, influences our financial decisions, and […]

With Christmas less than a week away, we highlight what some of our popular figures have to say about Christmas 2023…yes, their Wishes for Christmas 2023. *  Merlina Fernando (Singer): My Christmas wish this year is a little different to any other year as our people went through a lot throughout the past few years. […]

By Uditha Devapriya On Tuesday, December 12, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The United States was one of 10 countries to oppose, the others including Guatemala, Nauru, and Paraguay, and of course Israel. New Zealand, Canada, and Australia were among the 153 countries to vote in favour, […]