Page 14 - Sri Lanka

Bangladesh unrest: A look at other government overthrows by mass protests

Mass protests led Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign and flee in 2022 like Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina, while Egypt also saw mass protests and overthrow of the government in 2011

EAM Jaishankar assures to facilitate Indian, Sri Lankan fishermen meet

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday assured a delegation of Tamil Nadu fishermen that a meeting between the fishing communities of India and Sri Lanka will be facilitated to discuss the issues affecting them. He also informed that the recent apprehension of Indian fishermen by the Lankan authorities would be taken up at a meeting of the Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group to work out a solution to the problems, Tamil Nadu BJP state chief K Annamalai said. At the meeting in which the government secretaries too participated, Jaishankar mentioned that the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India was summoned over the death of the Rameswaram fisherman, and a strong protest was registered. "The representatives of the fishing community requested that a joint meeting between the representatives of the fishing community of the two countries be facilitated. Our EAM assured that the same would be considered," Annamalai said in a release here. Jaishankar had reaffirmed that the ...

Sri Lanka Supreme Court sets Oct 14 for Adani wind power projects case

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Friday set October 14 as the date for the hearing of five fundamental rights petitions filed against the wind power plant undertaken by the Indian conglomerate Adani Group in the north-eastern region of Mannar. The three-member bench of the apex court here ordered the respondents to file objections before September 13. Environmental NGOs had filed petitions claiming that the project endangers biodiversity and poses a threat to migratory birds. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society filed the case, naming the government, the Board of Investment and the Central Environmental Authority among others as respondents. The environmental rights group had claimed in court that a decision by the Cabinet to treat the Adani wind power project as a Sri Lanka-India government-to-government venture was illegal and that it would cause immense damage to the migratory bird population causing environmental hazards. The group had also challenged the action by Minister

Sri Lanka needs to raise fiscal revenue to maintain economic stability: IMF

IMF has also provided Colombo and financial advisors of the country's bondholders an assessment on a provisional deal

Ranil Wickremesinghe announces candidacy for Sri Lanka's presidential race

Wickremesinghe said that it was love for his country that drove him to take up the task of rebuilding Sri Lanka, which was in chaos and on the brink of bankruptcy

Sri Lanka set to go for prez election on Sept 21, puts end to speculations

The presidential election in Sri Lanka is to take place on September 21, the independent elections commission announced today. The announcement ended months long speculation that the election would be postponed to extend the term of the incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe. The government gazette no 2394/51 issued today said in terms of article 31 (3) of the constitution the election would take place on September 21 while the nominations would be accepted on August 15. The election announcement set to end the balance term of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was ousted mid 2022 in a popular public uprising. Rajapaksa had been elected with a record near 7 million votes in November 2019 when the last presidential election was held. Tens of thousands who got into the streets early 2022 demanded Rajapaksa to step down for his failure to tackle the island's gravest economic crisis since 1948. Rajapaksa was forced to flee the country on July 9, 2022 and incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe who was

Sri Lanka names Nuwan Thushara's replacement for T20I series against India

Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20 International series against India after picking up a finger injury at training. The 29-year-old injured his left thumb while fielding during a training session on Wednesday. Although the injury was sustained on his non-bowling arm, it is severe enough to rule him out of the three T20Is, starting here on Saturday. Fellow pacer Dilshan Madushanka has been named as replacement. Thushara's injury is a severe setback for the hosts. The pacer had been in great form lately, finishing as the team's highest wicket-taker during the T20 World Cup last month. He had scalped eight wickets in three outings at an economy of 5.62, with best figures of 4/18. Thushara has become the second Lankan pacer to be ruled out of the series after Dushmantha Chameera was pulled out from the squad due to illness, with Asitha Fernando filling in for him.

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera ruled out of series against India

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of Sri Lanka's white-ball home series against India owing to an injury, chief selector Upul Tharanga said on Wednesday. A replacement will be named shortly by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). "Yesterday we got the reports, and it can be confirmed that he will miss the T20Is and ODIs against India," Tharanga said during a press in which newly appointed interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya was also present. "We will name a replacement shortly." The 32-year-old Chameera, who made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2015 and bowls at a good pace, has been plagued with injuries throughout his career. So far, he has played 12 Tests, 52 ODIs, and 55 T20 matches, taking 32, 56 and 55 wickets respectively. Chameera didn't play the last few matches for Kandy Falcons in the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL). However, it is not clear as to when he picked up the injury. Among big events, Chameera missed the Asia Cup in 202

Sri Lanka, B'desh register big wins to enter semifinals of women's Asia Cup

Hosts Sri Lanka and Bangladesh cruised into the semifinals of the women's Asia Cup T20 tournament with comfortable victories over Thailand and Malaysia here on Wednesday. While Sri Lanka thrashed Thailand by 10 wickets in the final group match of the tournament, Bangladesh hammered Malaysia by 114 runs earlier in the day at the same venue. In the first match of the day, Bangladesh rode on opener Murshida Khatun's 59-ball 80 and skipper Nigar Sultana's 37-ball 62 to post a commanding 191 for 2. Opting to bat, Khatun and wicket-keeper Dilara Akter (33) shared 65 runs for the opening wicket before the former joined hands with Sultana to stitch 89 runs for the second wicket to set the foundation for the big total. Bangladesh then restricted Malaysia to 77 for 8 in 20 overs to register a convincing win and a place in the semifinals. In the last group match of the tournament, Thailand could muster only 93 for 7 after opting to bat. Wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored

Sri Lanka central bank cuts interest rates to help fuel economic recovery

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) cut the Standing Deposit Facility Rate to 8.25 per cent and the Standing Lending Facility Rate to 9.25 per cent

India, Sri Lanka plan roadmap to train 1,500 officers from island nation

A roadmap is being discussed for a collaboration between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and Sri Lanka's Institute of Development Administration to train 1,500 administrative officers of the island nation in India, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. A high-level Indian delegation, led by NCGG Director General and Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) Secretary V Srinivas, visited Sri Lanka from July 7-9. According to an statement issued on Thursday by the Personnel Ministry, the visit was marked by productive deliberations and strategic meetings, and paved the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation and capacity building support for senior public officials of Sri Lanka. "The two sides discussed the roadmap for collaboration between the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration for capacity building programs for 1,500 Sri Lanka Administrative Service Officers in India

Sri Lankan Navy arrests 13 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, seizes 3 boats

As per information received by the Rameswaram Fishermen Association, the fishermen belonged to the Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu

Sri Lanka to not ban any foreign research ships from its ports from 2025

Sri Lanka has decided to lift from next year a ban on the visit of foreign research ships imposed after strong security concerns raised by India and the US following frequent docking requests from hi-tech Chinese surveillance vessels, the Japanese media reported. The change in position was conveyed by visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to the NHK World Japan. With the increased movement of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean, New Delhi had expressed concern that those might be spy ships and urged Colombo not to allow such vessels to dock at its ports. After India raised concern, Sri Lanka banned the entry of foreign research vessels from docking at its port in January. Earlier this year, it had made an exception for a Chinese vessel but said the ban would continue otherwise. Sabry said his government cannot have different rules for different countries and only block China. He added that his country will not take sides in a dispute between others, the NHK World

Wickremesinghe rules out another salary hike for govt employees this year

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the government sector employees will not be given another salary increase this year, cautioning that further pay hikes without proper planning could cripple the government ahead of presidential and general elections. The 75-year-old, widely expected to seek re-election for the office of president, acknowledged the strain on the economy, stating that previous programmes providing increased benefits and allowances had depleted excess funds, the News First portal reported on Sunday. Wickremesinghe highlighted the Sri Lankan Rs 10,000 salary increase and additional benefits implemented under the "Aswasuma" programme. He emphasised the need for fiscal responsibility, cautioning that further salary increases without proper planning could cripple the government, the report said. Wickremesinghe, who has been serving the balance term of the ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa since mid-July 2022, stressed the need to prioritise nationa

India donates digital equipment worth Rs 30 cr to 200 schools in Sri Lanka

Describing it as a project for posterity, India on Saturday donated digital equipment, including 2,000 Tabs, worth Rs 300 million for use by 200 schools in the southern province of Sri Lanka. A ceremony in the southern district of Galle, attended by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, marked a significant step towards educational modernisation, with the provision of 200 Smart Classrooms and 2,000 Tabs to 200 schools in the Southern Province. Following a request by the Minister of Health and Industry, Dr Ramesh Pathirana, the Government of India allocated Rs 300 million to the Southern Provincial Council for this project. Of the 200 selected schools, 150 are in the Galle district, while the remaining 50 are in the Hambantota and Matara districts, a statement from the President's Media Division (PMD) said. Additionally, 2,000 Tabs were distributed, with each of the 200 classrooms receiving 10 Tabs, the statement said. We deeply appreciate the supp

Sri Lanka strikes pvt debt restructuring deal with bondholders, says min

Sri Lanka has reached a debt restructuring deal with the international sovereign bondholders after protracted negotiations, state finance minister Shehan Semasingher said on Thursday, calling it a "crucial step" in the cash-strapped country's efforts to restore debt sustainability. In a statement, State Minister of Finance Semasinghe said that an agreement on restructuring terms was reached on Wednesday, completing Sri Lanka's debt restructuring process. ISBs (International Sovereign Bonds) account for USD 12.5 billion out of the total external debt of USD 37 billion. This agreement is a crucial step in our efforts to restore debt sustainability, Semasinghe said. He added that the agreement with private bondholders was subject to the approval by the official creditor committee of nations, including India. "This marks another key milestone in our journey towards economic revival and strengthening," he said. Officials said the expected haircut agreed upon would amount to 28 per cent

Debt restructuring deal aids Sri Lanka's economic revival: Wickremesinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said substantial progress" has been achieved in Sri Lanka's debt restructuring, which he said provided the much-needed breathing space for the cash-strapped country to transform its bankrupt economy into a resilient and stable one. Briefing Parliament on the country's resulting benefits of the correct course of action, President Wickremesinghe also countered the Opposition's criticism of the debt restructuring agreement with major bilateral creditors and promised to table all agreements and documents related to it to a Parliamentary panel. In April 2022, the island nation declared its first-ever sovereign default since gaining Independence from Britain in 1948. The unprecedented financial crisis led President Ranil Wickremesinghe's predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to quit office in 2022 amid civil unrest. Earlier last week, President Wickremesinghe announced that debt restructuring agreements were finalised with bilateral lenders, including ..

Wickremesinghe defends Sri Lanka's debt restructuring deal amid criticism

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday countered the Opposition's criticism of the cash-strapped country's external debt restructuring agreement with major bilateral creditors and promised to table all agreements and documents regarding debt restructuring to a parliamentary panel for scrutiny. The planned two-day debate in Parliament on the deal was, however, postponed as Opposition members protested the lack of transparency regarding the agreements reached. Dismissing the Opposition's criticism as inaccurate, Wickremesinghe argued, No bilateral creditor would agree to a reduction of principal amount. Instead, concessions are allowed through extended repayment periods, grace periods and lower interest rates. The president, who also holds the portfolio as the finance minister, said the agreements with bilateral creditors include extending principal repayments until 2028, maintaining interest rates below 2.1 per cent, and extending the full debt resettlement grace period

Sri Lanka to save $5 billion after bilateral debt rework: Wickremesinghe

The cash-strapped South Asian country inked deals with China and other creditor nations to restructure about $10 billion

Lankan politician Sampanthan passes away, PM Modi, EAM sends condolences

R Sampanthan, a veteran Sri Lankan politician and a moderate Tamil leader, passed away last night while receiving treatment in a hospital, the Tamil National Alliance has announced. Sampanthan, 91, led the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from 2004 and became only the second Tamil to become the main opposition leader in the Sinhala-majority country. He was ailing for a long time and was missing the current parliamentary sessions for a long time. He was a moderate Tamil who had been leading the political movement to achieve a negotiated political settlement to the Tamil demand for political autonomy. The Tamils put forward their demand for autonomy since gaining independence from Britain in 1948, which, from the mid-70s, turned into a bloody armed conflict. He took office as the leader of the opposition in 2015 and was actively involved in the process of drafting a new Constitution until 2019. A brilliant lawyer, Sampanthan entered Parliament for the first time in 1977 from the easte