Sri Lanka: The stranded state
2 years, 6 months ago

Sri Lanka: The stranded state

The Hindu  

Published : May 30, 2022 06:00 IST I WAS in Sri Lanka, the island of serendipity, from May 2 to 13. It was an unplanned visit, and the idea was to visit five cities: Pasikuda, a beach town on the eastern coast; Polonnaruwa, an ancient city and the second oldest of Sri Lanka’s erstwhile kingdoms; Sigiriya, the famous rock fortress located in the northern Matale district; Dambulla, another ancient town in the central province; and Negombo, a major city on the island nation’s west coast, which has been in the news recently for the wave of anti-government violence it saw. Tourism, a major revenue source for Sri Lanka, has received the worst blow in the ongoing crisis. The island has faced a series of misfortunes—the wrath of a 26-year-long civil war, a devastating tsunami, the Easter bombings of 2018, the spread of COVID-19, and now the economic crisis.

Sri Lanka Lanka  island  met  worst  crisis  went  hostel  stranded  sri  tourists  state  lanka  cent

History of this topic

Sri Lanka recovers after economic crisis, but is it safe to travel there?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka recovers after economic crisis, but is it safe to travel there?

ABC  

White sand beaches, welcoming locals, wild elephants living in their natural habitats and eight UNESCO World Heritage sites make Sri Lanka a tourist's paradise. While her friends gave positive reviews of their past holidays in Sri Lanka, Australia's official Smart Traveller advisory urged visitors to "exercise a high degree of caution" as the country holds its presidential elections later this …

Sri Lanka is firmly back on the holiday map – here’s why now is the time to return for affordable adventure
1 year, 1 month ago

Sri Lanka is firmly back on the holiday map – here’s why now is the time to return for affordable adventure

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It decimated tourism, one of Sri Lanka’s largest foreign exchange earners and an essential cog in the country’s economy, which …

India says it will continue to support Sri Lanka in overcoming its financial crisis
1 year, 5 months ago

India says it will continue to support Sri Lanka in overcoming its financial crisis

The Hindu  

India has reiterated its willingness to play "a constructive role" in supporting Sri Lanka's efforts for recovery from the worst economic crisis. In May this year, 17 countries that have extended loans to Sri Lanka formed an official creditor committee' co-chaired by India, Japan, and France, to discuss Sri Lanka’s request for debt treatment. Mr. Jacob said India’s financial and …

Explained: India's big role in helping Sri Lanka tide over its worst-ever economic crisis
1 year, 11 months ago

Explained: India's big role in helping Sri Lanka tide over its worst-ever economic crisis

Firstpost  

India emerged as the top bilateral lender to Sri Lanka in 2022 as the island nation declared bankruptcy and defaulted on its $51 billion foreign debt. Let’s have a closer look at how India has been at the centre of providing aid to crisis-hit Sri Lanka despite the island nation’s growing ties with China. China takes a back seat While …

Sri Lanka's economic crisis pushes millions into poverty as government seeks IMF bailout
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka's economic crisis pushes millions into poverty as government seeks IMF bailout

ABC  

In her outstretched palms, 49-year-old Nilanthi Gunasekera holds her family's last remaining handful of dried fish — a reminder of Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis in decades. Key points: An economic crisis has pushed many Sri Lankans into poverty More than one-quarter of the population is struggling to secure adequate, nutritious food, the UN says The new government of is …

Sri Lanka’s political turmoil sows worries for recovery
2 years, 5 months ago

Sri Lanka’s political turmoil sows worries for recovery

India TV News  

A day after Sri Lanka’s president fled, Mohamed Ishad waited outside an immigration office near the capital, clutching a file of documents that he hopes will get his passport renewed so he can leave, too. “Living in Sri Lanka right now is not good — if you want a good life, you need to leave,” he said. “It’s like in …

Why A Stable, Progressive, Peaceful Sri Lanka is in Best Interest of India's National Security
2 years, 5 months ago

Why A Stable, Progressive, Peaceful Sri Lanka is in Best Interest of India's National Security

News 18  

Sri Lanka is an island nation with immense strategic significance for India and South Asia. At this stage, India offered to broker peace between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE under the umbrella of ‘Indo-Sri Lanka Accord’, which was signed between then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President JR Jayewardene on July 29, 1987. In the …

Sri Lanka crisis live updates | July 14, 2022
2 years, 5 months ago

Sri Lanka crisis live updates | July 14, 2022

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday sent his resignation letter by email from Singapore, the Parliamentary Speaker’s office said, deferring an official announcement to Friday in order to verify the “authenticity and legality” of the document. Here is a timeline of events until July 13 Here are the latest updates 11:00 p.m. President’s resignation to be announced at 7:30 …

Sri Lanka is in chaos and its president has fled. Here’s what we know
2 years, 5 months ago

Sri Lanka is in chaos and its president has fled. Here’s what we know

CNN  

CNN — Sri Lanka has plunged into chaos and its president has fled to Singapore, before emailing his resignation, as questions swirl about the country’s future. In 2012, amid anti-government protests in the Maldives, Nasheed and his wife sought political shelter in Sri Lanka, then led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the current president’s brother. The Maldivian governmentdidn’t confirm Rajapaksa’s …

Sri Lanka in crisis: What, why and how?
2 years, 5 months ago

Sri Lanka in crisis: What, why and how?

Al Jazeera  

Unprecedented economic crisis looks to have finally toppled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as he flees to the Maldives. Sri Lanka’s unprecedented economic crisis looks to have finally toppled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The finance ministry says Sri Lanka has only $25m in usable foreign reserves and needs $6bn to stay afloat for six months. Analysts say economic mismanagement by successive governments weakened …

Timeline: Sri Lanka’s worst economic, political crisis in decades
2 years, 5 months ago

Timeline: Sri Lanka’s worst economic, political crisis in decades

Al Jazeera  

Island nation mired in a deep crisis as its president flees country, days after a huge crowd of protesters stormed his residence. Sri Lanka is mired in a deep political and economic crisis and the country’s president has flown out of the country, days after a huge crowd of protesters stormed his residence. April 3: Cabinet resigns Almost all of …

EXPLAINER: Why Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed and what’s next
2 years, 5 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed and what’s next

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s prime minister said late last month that the island nation’s debt-laden economy had “collapsed” as it runs out of money to pay for food and fuel. Still, Mukherjee noted that Sri Lanka sits in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, so letting a country of such strategic significance collapse is not an option. …

EXPLAINER: Why Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed and what’s next
2 years, 6 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed and what’s next

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s prime minister says the island nation’s debt-laden economy has “collapsed” as it runs out of money to pay for food and fuel. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took office in May, was emphasizing the monumental task he faces in turning around an economy he said is heading for “rock bottom.” Sri Lankans are skipping …

Sri Lankan prime minister: Island’s economy ‘has collapsed’
2 years, 6 months ago

Sri Lankan prime minister: Island’s economy ‘has collapsed’

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s debt-laden economy has “collapsed” after months of shortages of food, fuel and electricity, the prime minister told lawmakers Wednesday in comments that underscored the country’s dire situation as it seeks help from international lenders. Wickremesinghe’s remarks also sent a message to potential lenders: “You can’t let a country of such strategic importance collapse,” said …

Sri Lanka crisis: Ship carrying relief materials from India reaches Colombo
2 years, 7 months ago

Sri Lanka crisis: Ship carrying relief materials from India reaches Colombo

India Today  

An Indian ship carrying urgent relief supplies like rice, life-saving medicines and milk powder for the people of crisis-hit Sri Lanka arrived in Colombo on Sunday and the consignment was handed over to the government in the island nation. From the people of India to the people of Sri Lanka High Commissioner handed over rice, milk powder & medicines worth …

Lessons from Sri Lanka’s crisis - The Hindu
2 years, 7 months ago

Lessons from Sri Lanka’s crisis - The Hindu

The Hindu  

As Sri Lanka’s crisis continues to spiral out of control, the country gets a new Prime Minister: what are the lessons from India’s neighbourhood? As the violence spiralled out of control and PM Mahinda and his family were flown to a naval base for safety, the Indian high commission in Colombo issued two statements distancing itself from the Rajapaksas: one …

It's not just Sri Lanka, several other countries are facing an economic meltdown
2 years, 7 months ago

It's not just Sri Lanka, several other countries are facing an economic meltdown

India TV News  

Sri Lanka's economic crisis triggered by a debt default and acute shortage of food and fuel leading to violence has hit headlines but several other countries -- Pakistan, Nepal, South Africa, Argentina, Ethiopia, Ghana, Peru among others with similar distress are also on the watchlist. This includes job losses and learning losses -- costs borne mostly by women and young …

How Sri Lanka spiralled into crisis and what happens next
2 years, 7 months ago

How Sri Lanka spiralled into crisis and what happens next

Al Jazeera  

The South Asian island nation is experiencing an unprecedented economic collapse that has pushed the government into a deep crisis. Analysts say economic mismanagement by successive governments weakened Sri Lanka’s public finances, leaving national expenditure in excess of its income and the production of tradable goods and services at inadequate levels. Rating agencies, concerned about government finances and its inability …

Diplomats urge Sri Lanka to reconsider ‘state of emergency’
2 years, 7 months ago

Diplomats urge Sri Lanka to reconsider ‘state of emergency’

Al Jazeera  

EU, US, Canada have questioned use of emergency powers, which allow deployment of troops to maintain law and order. Foreign diplomats have urged Sri Lanka’s beleaguered president to repeal a state of emergency imposed after a general strike brought the country to a halt. The government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a new state of emergency on Friday to “ensure …

‘Failed state’: Sri Lanka’s Buddhist leaders want gov’t to resign
2 years, 8 months ago

‘Failed state’: Sri Lanka’s Buddhist leaders want gov’t to resign

Al Jazeera  

The island’s most influential Buddhist clerics now join a growing list of former allies calling for the government’s resignation. Sri Lanka’s beleaguered government faces new pressure to resign from influential Buddhist leaders over the island’s escalating economic crisis. As the crisis triggers nationwide protests, the country’s most influential Buddhist clerics have now joined a growing list of former allies, calling …

Sri Lanka Town Under Curfew, Foreign Concern Over Killing
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka Town Under Curfew, Foreign Concern Over Killing

News 18  

Police kept up a curfew in central Sri Lanka on Wednesday, a day after the killing of an anti-government demonstrator in escalating protests across the island triggered international condemnation. The government promised investigations into allegations that police used excessive force to disperse people protesting high fuel prices and demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation over the worsening economic crisis. Sri Lanka …

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis Updates: Opposition Party JVP to Hold 3-day Public March to Protest Against Govt, Bankrupt Lanka Urges Diaspora to Send Cash
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis Updates: Opposition Party JVP to Hold 3-day Public March to Protest Against Govt, Bankrupt Lanka Urges Diaspora to Send Cash

News 18  

Sri Lanka Economic Crisis Updates: Sri Lanka urged its citizens overseas to send home money to help pay for desperately needed food and fuel Wednesday after announcing a default on its $51 billion foreign debt. Central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said he needed Sri Lankans abroad to “support the country at this crucial juncture by donating much needed foreign exchange”. …

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka Nearly Out of Medicine, Doctors Warn of 'Casualties Far Worse Than from Pandemic'
2 years, 8 months ago

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka Nearly Out of Medicine, Doctors Warn of 'Casualties Far Worse Than from Pandemic'

News 18  

Sri Lanka’s doctors warned on Sunday they were nearly out of life-saving medicines and said the island nation’s economic crisis threatened a worse death toll than the coronavirus pandemic. Rajapaksa’s government is seeking an IMF bailout to help extricate Sri Lanka from the crisis, which has seen skyrocketing food prices and the local currency collapse in value by a third …

Sri Lanka economic crisis: 19 Sri Lankans reach Tamil Nadu seeking asylum in India
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka economic crisis: 19 Sri Lankans reach Tamil Nadu seeking asylum in India

India Today  

As many as 19 Sri Lankan Tamils from Jaffna and Mannar reached Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu on boat. These people, seeking refuge in India, said that living in Sri Lanka has become very difficult due to the severe economic crisis. How India is helping Sri Lanka India has recently announced a loan of one billion dollars as financial assistance to …

19 more Lankan Tamils take reach India amid worst economic crisis
2 years, 8 months ago

19 more Lankan Tamils take reach India amid worst economic crisis

India TV News  

Highlights 19 more Sri Lankan Tamils seek refuge in India as Sri Lanka The Lankan refugees arrived near Rameswaram early on Sunday morning Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948 19 more Sri Lankan Tamils seek refuge in India as Sri Lanka witnessed one of its worst economic crises. Police personnel, including …

US cautions its citizens against travelling to Sri Lanka
2 years, 8 months ago

US cautions its citizens against travelling to Sri Lanka

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: The United States has advised its citizens against travelling to Sri Lanka, pointing to the fuel and medicine shortages, as well as the COVID-19 and terror threats in the Island nation where the worst-ever economic crisis has triggered political unrest. “Reconsider travel to Sri Lanka due to COVID-19 and fuel and medicine shortages. Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka …

Sri Lanka economic crisis explained in 10 points
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka economic crisis explained in 10 points

India Today  

Protests against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's handling of a deepening economic crisis in the island nation continue to rage. Ordinary Sri Lankans are also dealing with shortages and soaring inflation, after the country steeply devalued its currency last month ahead of talks with the International Monetary Fund for a loan programme. With the country's lucrative tourism industry and foreign …

Timeline | Sri Lanka’s economic crisis was in the making from November 2019
2 years, 8 months ago

Timeline | Sri Lanka’s economic crisis was in the making from November 2019

Firstpost  

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since 1948, when the country gained independence; there’s no food, no fuel, no power, leaving people anguished and angry. November 2019 After winning Sri Lanka’s presidential election and months ahead of a parliamentary ballot that would again test his popularity, Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced sweeping tax cuts. “Confirmed: Real-time network data show Sri …

Explained | Why is Sri Lanka under a state of Emergency?
2 years, 8 months ago

Explained | Why is Sri Lanka under a state of Emergency?

The Hindu  

The story so far: On Friday night, a day after angry citizens converged in front of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Colombo residence, demanding he step down immediately, he declared a state of Emergency in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s economic crisis can be traced to two key developments in the immediate past — the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019 that deterred tourists, …

No gas, no medicine, no food: Life in crisis-hit Sri Lanka | Exclusive
2 years, 8 months ago

No gas, no medicine, no food: Life in crisis-hit Sri Lanka | Exclusive

India Today  

As the economic crisis in Sri Lanka spirals out of control, 69-year-old Thomos from Colombo told India Today that petrol is unavailable, medicines are difficult to find and essential food items are being sold at extremely high prices in the country. ECONOMIC CRISIS IN SRI LANKA With huge debt obligations and dwindling foreign reserves, Sri Lanka has found itself unable …

Sri Lanka’s rage: The Hindu Editorial on the island nation’s economic woes
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka’s rage: The Hindu Editorial on the island nation’s economic woes

The Hindu  

As irate protesters gathered near the house of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a desperate bid to highlight their suffering, the worsening economic crisis in Sri Lanka has possibly reached its crescendo. The roots of the crisis may not lie wholly in the policies of Mr. Gotabaya, who was swept to power in 2019 as President on a platform of strong …

Sri Lanka: How is an economic crisis affecting people?
2 years, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka: How is an economic crisis affecting people?

Al Jazeera  

On Thursday, March 31 at 19:30 GMT: People across Sri Lanka are struggling to get hold of daily essentials as the country’s faces its worst economic crisis in decades. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna-led coalition government’s decision to devalue the rupee while imposing strict limits on imports has pushed up prices of many key items. A recent $1bn credit line …

Refugee crisis brews for India as Sri Lanka witnesses worst economic meltdown
2 years, 9 months ago

Refugee crisis brews for India as Sri Lanka witnesses worst economic meltdown

India TV News  

Highlights Sri Lankan economy facing worst crisis in over 70 years The island nation is witnessing scarcity of fuel amid skyrocketing prices Experts say reckless borrowings from China prime reason behind the crisis Sri Lanka economic crisis: As Sri Lanka grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades, India may be staring towards yet another refugee influx from the island …

India tops Sri Lanka’s tourism charts 2021
2 years, 11 months ago

India tops Sri Lanka’s tourism charts 2021

The Hindu  

India topped Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in December and the entire year, according to data published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. For most part of 2020 beginning April, Sri Lanka shut its borders fearing import of COVID-19 cases into the island nation, which was then making global headlines for managing the pandemic well. For December, Sri Lanka recorded …

EXPLAINED: Why Sri Lanka's Food Crisis Is Actually A Forex Problem
3 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINED: Why Sri Lanka's Food Crisis Is Actually A Forex Problem

News 18  

Long queues have been reported at food markets and prices of staples are trending upwards as Sri Lanka grapples with an economic crisis that has hit imports and now forced the government to declare an emergency. According to reports, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared the emergency under the public security ordinance with a view to stabilising the prices of …

Sri Lanka to Let Tourists Enjoy the Best of Wildlife Experience Sitting at Home
4 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka to Let Tourists Enjoy the Best of Wildlife Experience Sitting at Home

News 18  

Sri Lankan authorities announced Wednesday that they will offer livestreams from the island nation’s wildlife parks, in a move to help revive a tourism industry that has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic. The government’s Tourism Promotion Bureau said livestreaming will initially cover four national parks to showcase the South Asian country’s exotic wildlife, including leopards, bears, elephants, crocodiles and …

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