Foreign Minister Ali Sabry PC has said that in the emerging multipolar world, countries like Sri Lanka cannot afford to take sides and must be open to working with anyone. Minister Sabry made these observations when he delivered the opening address at the 3rd ‘LKI Foreign Policy Forum’, held on the theme ‘Reassessing Non-Alignment in a Polarised […]

ECONOMYNEXT –The Asian Development Bank (ADB) expects Sri Lanka not to reverse its International Monetary Fund-led policy reforms despite elections soon, the ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Takafumi Kadono said. The island nation has witnessed repeated reversals of policy reforms in the past due to greedy politicians who misled  the people to vote for […]

Colombo (Sri Lanka) (AFP) – Cash-strapped Sri Lanka said Wednesday it had exported tea worth $20 million to Iran to partially repay its $251 million oil debts, with Colombo saying Tehran’s visiting foreign minister had expressed “satisfaction” at the deal. “So far $20 million worth of tea has been exported to Iran under the barter […]

by Rajan Philips Never mind what Anura Kumara Dissanayake wore in Delhi. Never mind what Ranil Wickremesinghe wears daily. What the people want is not the word salads of sartorial politics by Sunday pundits, but the proffering of substantive politics by contenders for political office. As the pre-election dust takes its own time to settle, […]

Leader of the United Republic Front Member of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, presented the proposal titled “A United Step for the Country” to President Ranil Wickremesinghe , at ‘Srikota’, the United National Party headquarters in Colombo this morning (24). Speaking at the event President Ranil Wickremesinghe, highlighted the government’s concerted efforts over the past two […]

As Pakistan grapples with the aftermath of controversial elections, political chaos is threatening to cloud its $3bn deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which analysts say is key to the country’s economic stability. On Thursday, the global lender said Pakistan’s interim government had “maintained” economic stability. The IMF’s communications chief, Julie Kozack, said the […]

Prof. Peiris highlights need for ex post facto judicial review By Shamindra Ferdinando Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, said that Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s refusal to accept that Supreme Court recommendations hadn’t been accommodated in ‘Online Safety Act No 09 of 2024’, would undermine their faith in the committee stage of […]

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya spoke to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2024 in New Delhi.Balasuriya weighed in on several issues ranging from the India-Lanka relationship, Colombo’s ties with China, tourism, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and more. While speaking on China, Balasuriya said that “both countries [&...

.. two cabinet ministers to address the gathering The New Alliance consisting of SLPP MPs backing President Ranil Wickremesinghe will hold its second public rally tomorrow (24) at Hyde Park Corner commencing at 2 pm. Two cabinet ministers, including the Education Minister who is also Leader of the House Susil Premjayantha will address the gathering. […]

The Sri Lankan government has held the 37th Session of the Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, yet it appears to be unaware of the challenges faced by local farmers, says the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR). The APRC was held in Colombo from […]

China’s ability to exert influence on Pakistan’s economy has grown substantially in recent years, mainly due to the fact that Beijing is now Islamabad’s largest creditor. However Chinese citizens in Pakistan have faced a series of targeted attacks, causing concern for both China and Pakistan. These incidents have occurred in the context of the China-Pakistan […]

Across South Asia, an ominous great game is unfolding. China is battling for regional influence, with smaller buffer states caught in the middle as pawns. Far from peaceful rise, China’s tactics reveal a belligerent dragon pulling neighbors ever tighter into its orbit through debt-trap diplomacy, data colonialism and brazen political interference – a 21st century […]

Following Iranian FM’s visit The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, during high level meetings in Colombo this week, expressed hope that with this trip, the bilateral ties in all fields, including political, economic, commercial, and tourism, would be expanded. Amirabdollahian was here at the official invitation of the Sri Lankan […]

Thursday 22nd February, 2024 Government politicians wax eloquent, to the point of queasiness, about their grand plans to develop the education sector and prepare the country for future opportunities and challenges. They claim to be on an ambitious mission to align education with job market requirements, both there and overseas, by modernising the state-run schools, […]

800 rural schools already closed by Rathindra Kuruwita School dropout rate and absenteeism are on the rise due to the economic crisis and the government burdening parents with expenses borne by the state in the past, says Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin. Stalin told The Island yesterday that by November 2023, about […]

Nothing could be more vital at present in the conflict and war zones of the world than positive mindset changes and the wish of the humanist is likely to be that such momentous developments would quickly come to pass in particularly the Middle East. Because in the latter theatre almost every passing hour surfaces problems […]

A culture-based local solution for Sri Lanka BY Prof Nimal Gunatilleke The Thirty-seventh Session of the UN-FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) is being held as a high-level Ministerial in-person event in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 19 – 22 February 2024. This was preceded by the Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) held virtually […]

Sri Lanka s inflation is expected to return to the government s 5% target starting from the last two quarters of the year, a Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) official said on Wednesday, as the economy stabilises from a crippling financial crisis.

Manusha accuses Wimal of having taken parts of Fernando’s speech out of context By Saman Indrajith Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara told NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa in Parliament to refrain from taking chunks of others’ speeches out of context and misinterpreting them for political mileage. The Minister said so following concerns raised by […]

Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Elizabeth Allen on Monday (19) declared US support for journalists here against the backdrop of enactment of ‘Online Safety Bill’ She spokes about press freedom and related issues at the Sri Lanka Press Institute Press Club. A statement issued by the US Embassy quoted Allen as having said […]

In his policy statement during the inauguration of the 5th session of the 9th parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe insists that the solution to the economic crisis lies in economic and scientific measures, not political ones. However, he draws inspiration from Confucius and urges citizens to introspect and cleanse their hearts, which can be seen as […]