'There can be a bloodbath…': Sri Lankan ruling coalition MPs' warning
2 years, 9 months ago

'There can be a bloodbath…': Sri Lankan ruling coalition MPs' warning

Hindustan Times  

A group of Sri Lanka lawmakers have backed the formation of an interim government to steer the nation out of its worst economic crisis in decades. A woman attends a protest to demand Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign after his government lost its majority. Their warnings come on a day the ruling coalition lost the support of over 40 lawmakers in the 225-member parliament, leaving president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government mired in further trouble. Earlier today Sri Lanka lost its second finance minister in 48 hours - Ali Sabry resigned a day after Basil Rajapaksa, the president's brother, was removed. READ: Finance minister quits after govt loses majority in parliament On Monday an embattled Gotabaya Rajapaksa lost his entire cabinet - 26 ministers quit under pressure as thousands of angry people defied a curfew to protest against the government and demand the president's resignation.

Sri Lanka Minister Billion Lanka Sri Rajapaksa Gotabaya Rajapaksa  rajapaksa  interim  lost  lanka  lankan  majority  sri  warning  minister  coalition  lawmakers  ruling  billion  bloodbath  mps

History of this topic

Sri Lanka officially ended debt default, claims Finance Ministry
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Sri Lanka officially ended debt default, claims Finance Ministry

Deccan Chronicle  

Colombo: With the decision by the Hong Kong based Fitch Ratings to upgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating, the island nation has officially ended its debt default, the Finance Ministry said here on Saturday. Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's long term credit default rating to CCC+ from CCC- on Friday as it said that "the risk of another default on local currency …

How Dissanayake’s Delhi visit is a show of India's diplomatic deftness
Trending News
3 weeks, 2 days ago

How Dissanayake’s Delhi visit is a show of India's diplomatic deftness

Firstpost  

This visit has demonstrated that even in challenging times, with careful planning and mutual respect, diplomacy can achieve remarkable outcomes Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s recent visit to India has been widely regarded as a landmark in fostering stronger bilateral relations between the two neighbours. Tradition Meets Pragmatism One of the noteworthy aspects of the visit was President Dissanayake’s …

The Dissanayake administration’s challenge is to reform Sri Lanka's economy
1 month, 2 weeks ago

The Dissanayake administration’s challenge is to reform Sri Lanka's economy

Live Mint  

Among the less well-known winners in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election last week was Krishnan Kalaichelvi, the daughter of a Malaiyaga Tamil tea-estate worker. With the huge mandate for saba wensak, or genuine change in Sinhala, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake must push through reforms such as the devolution of power to the north and east—and an even more tricky revamp of …

Sri Lanka’s Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka’s Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win

Live Mint  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president swore in a 21-member Cabinet on Monday after his party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in last week’s election. Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with militant attacks in 2019 devastated the important tourism industry. Sri Lanka’s economic …

Sri Lanka president appoints Cabinet after resounding election win
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka president appoints Cabinet after resounding election win

Deccan Chronicle  

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president swore in a 21-member Cabinet on Monday after his party secured a two-thirds parliamentary majority in last week’s election. Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with militant attacks in 2019 devastated the important tourism industry. Sri Lanka’s economic upheaval led to …

Party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president wins two-thirds majority in parliament
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning president wins two-thirds majority in parliament

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The party of Sri Lanka’s new Marxist-leaning President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won a two-thirds majority in parliament, according to official election results Friday, providing a strong mandate for his program for economic revival. Of the 225 seats in parliament, 196 were up for grabs under Sri Lanka’s electoral system, which allocates seats in each district among …

Sri Lankan Parliamentary elections begin with issues of welfare, economic reforms at stake | WATCH
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lankan Parliamentary elections begin with issues of welfare, economic reforms at stake | WATCH

India TV News  

Colombo: Sri Lankans began voting on Thursday in a snap election to decide if the Indian Ocean island will give its new leftist president greater strength to help the poor as it recovers from a financial meltdown. "I think we are seeing the first signs of a positive political change in Sri Lanka after the president was elected and we …

Sri Lanka Leader Seeks to Bolster Power With Parliamentary Vote
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka Leader Seeks to Bolster Power With Parliamentary Vote

Live Mint  

-- Sri Lanka holds its first parliamentary elections since the victory of its outsider leftist president, in a test of his ambitious pledges to combat corruption and rewrite an unpopular International Monetary Fund loan program. Anura Kumara Dissanayake called for early polls on the heels of his victory in the Sept. 21 presidential election, widely seen as a stunning rebuke …

‘We’ve tried everybody else’: What’s next for Sri Lanka’s turn to the left?
1 month, 4 weeks ago

‘We’ve tried everybody else’: What’s next for Sri Lanka’s turn to the left?

Al Jazeera  

Can the new leftist president repay debt without forcing austerity on Sri Lankans? Sri Lanka has seen it all: from the 2022 economic collapse, the mass protests that followed and the legacy of a 26-year civil war. As the newly-elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledges to steer the island back on track, can he repay the country’s debt to the …

Sri Lanka Election: ‘Progress over corruption’, litmus test for Anura Dissanayake as voters head to polls on November 14
Trending News
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka Election: ‘Progress over corruption’, litmus test for Anura Dissanayake as voters head to polls on November 14

Live Mint  

Sri Lanka's new leftist leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has gained unexpected support as he aims to expand his three parliamentary seats into a majority in Thursday's elections. Business leaders have speculated that Sri Lanka could adopt economic models similar to those of China or Vietnam under Dissanayake, whose party logo prominently features the hammer and sickle, symbolizing its communist ideology. …

India’s foreign minister becomes the first such dignitary to visit Sri Lanka since the election
3 months ago

India’s foreign minister becomes the first such dignitary to visit Sri Lanka since the election

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar met Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Friday in the first such visit of a dignitary since a new government took office in the island nation last month, amid questions over how Dissanayake would balance between regional powers China and India. At the same time, China’s support to restructure …

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka’s presidential election as voters reject old guard
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka’s presidential election as voters reject old guard

LA Times  

National People’s Power candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrives at a polling station to cast his vote Saturday in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Sri Lanka’s presidential election, according to data released Sunday by the Election Commission, as voters rejected the old political guard that has been widely accused of pushing the South Asian nation toward economic …

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential election as voters reject old guard
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential election as voters reject old guard

NPR  

Marxist Dissanayake wins Sri Lanka's presidential election as voters reject old guard toggle caption Eranga Jayawardena/AP COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Marxist lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake won Sri Lanka’s presidential election, according to data released by the Election Commission Sunday, as voters rejected the old political guard that has been widely accused of pushing the South Asian nation toward economic ruin. …

Sri Lanka’s presidential election a test for current leader, 2 years after its economy hit bottom
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Sri Lanka’s presidential election a test for current leader, 2 years after its economy hit bottom

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Two years ago, food cart worker Fathima Shiyama had to wait in line, sometimes for days, to get cooking gas, fuel and other essentials. Fathima Shiyama, 48, prepares local delicacies at home, to be sold later from her food cart, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. A man sits next to election posters of …

Sri Lanka president defends IMF bailout in campaign launch
4 months, 1 week ago

Sri Lanka president defends IMF bailout in campaign launch

Hindustan Times  

Sri Lanka had no option but to agree to an International Monetary Fund bailout that required tough austerity measures, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Thursday as he launched his re-election campaign. Sri Lanka president defends IMF bailout in campaign launch An unprecedented economic crisis two years ago led to months-long food and fuel shortages, triggering street protests that forced Wickremesinghe's predecessor …

​Back from the brink: The Hindu Editorial on the Sri Lankan elections and the road ahead
4 months, 3 weeks ago

​Back from the brink: The Hindu Editorial on the Sri Lankan elections and the road ahead

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s ninth presidential election, scheduled for September 21, has attracted a record 39 candidates, signalling a return to “business as usual” despite the severe economic crisis of 2022. At 75, he aims to garner broad support by highlighting the political and economic stability achieved during his two-year tenure, made possible by backing from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, led …

Rajapaksas’ party fields Mahinda’s son Namal in Sri Lanka’s presidential race
5 months ago

Rajapaksas’ party fields Mahinda’s son Namal in Sri Lanka’s presidential race

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka’s ruling party helmed by the Rajapaksa clan, who were booted out of office by mass protests in 2022, on Wednesday named Namal Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as its candidate for the September presidential polls. After Mr. Gotabaya was forced to resign at the height of Sri Lanka’s crushing unprecedented economic crisis in 2022, its MPs …

Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on Sept. 21, its first since declaring bankruptcy in 2022
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Sri Lanka will hold presidential election on Sept. 21, its first since declaring bankruptcy in 2022

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka will hold a presidential election on Sept. 21 that will likely be a test of confidence in President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s efforts to resolve the country’s worst economic crisis. Sri Lanka’s crisis was largely the result of staggering economic mismanagement combined with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which along with 2019 terrorism attacks devastated its …

Sri Lankan president says he is seeking to defer loan payments until 2028 amid economic crisis
10 months ago

Sri Lankan president says he is seeking to defer loan payments until 2028 amid economic crisis

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sri Lanka's president said Wednesday …

Sri Lankan president says he is seeking to defer loan payments until 2028 amid economic crisis
10 months ago

Sri Lankan president says he is seeking to defer loan payments until 2028 amid economic crisis

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s president said Wednesday that he is seeking a loan repayment moratorium until 2028 as the debt-ridden county tries to emerge from bankruptcy. Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy in April 2022 and suspended repayments on some $83 billion in local and foreign loans amid a severe foreign exchange crisis that led to a severe shortage of …

Sri Lanka holds its first presidential election since the country declared bankruptcy
55 years ago

Sri Lanka holds its first presidential election since the country declared bankruptcy

Associated Press  

DATE OF ELECTION Likely in November TYPE OF ELECTION Presidential WHO’S RUNNING Incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe could run, seeking a mandate for his tough economic reforms, as the country strives to recover from its worst economic crisis in recent history. WHY IT MATTERS TO THE WORLD The election will be the first held after Sri Lanka was roiled by a …

Sri Lanka’s Financial Crisis Gradually Easing: Ranil Wickremesinghe
11 months ago

Sri Lanka’s Financial Crisis Gradually Easing: Ranil Wickremesinghe

News 18  

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka is “gradually” emerging from its worst economic crisis after the austerity of an IMF bailout, the president said Sunday in a speech to mark independence day. Sri Lanka saw months of civil unrest at the peak of the economic crisis, culminating in the ouster of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa when thousands of protesters stormed his home. The International …

Pulling Sri Lanka out of the abyss
11 months, 1 week ago

Pulling Sri Lanka out of the abyss

The Hindu  

On January 9, 2024, the United National Party proposed incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe as the national presidential candidate for the elections. The first review by the IMF Board in December 2023 rated Sri Lanka’s performance as “satisfactory” meaning total IMF disbursement will be $670 million. A joint venture project between India’s Adani Group and Sri Lanka’s John Keells Holdings seeks to …

Sri Lanka says debt restructure finalised by April
11 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka says debt restructure finalised by April

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka's bankrupt government said Friday that a foreign debt restructure would be finalised by the beginning of April, after signs the economy was emerging from its worst crisis on record. The IMF released a $337-million second tranche of its four-year loan last month after Colombo secured an "in principle" debt agreement with China, Sri Lanka's biggest bilateral lender. Mr. …

Sri Lanka will get the second tranche of a much-need bailout package from the IMF
1 year ago

Sri Lanka will get the second tranche of a much-need bailout package from the IMF

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Sri Lanka will get the second tranche of a much-need bailout package from the IMF
1 year ago

Sri Lanka will get the second tranche of a much-need bailout package from the IMF

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The International Monetary Fund executive board approved the release of the second tranche of a $2.9 billion dollar bailout package to help Sri Lanka recover from the worst economic crisis in its history. In a statement, the fund said the decision Tuesday to release $337 million came after Sri Lanka had made “commendable progress” toward debt …

The second installment of Sri Lanka’s bailout was delayed. The country hopes it’s coming in December
1 year, 1 month ago

The second installment of Sri Lanka’s bailout was delayed. The country hopes it’s coming in December

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank said Friday he’s confident it will receive the second instalment of a $2.9-billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund before the end of the year, after payment was delayed due to inadequate oversight and debt restructuring. The IMF’s review in September said Sri Lanka’s economy was recovering, but …

Sri Lanka top court finds Rajapaksa brothers guilty of economic crisis
1 year, 1 month ago

Sri Lanka top court finds Rajapaksa brothers guilty of economic crisis

Al Jazeera  

The symbolic ruling says the powerful brothers – including two ex-presidents – triggered the island’s worst financial crisis. Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has issued a symbolic ruling that the powerful Rajapaksa brothers – including two ex-presidents – were guilty of triggering the island’s worst financial crisis by mishandling the economy. The case was filed by corruption watchdog Transparency International Sri …

Sri Lanka ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa gets clean chit in 2022 'unaccounted cash' probe
1 year, 2 months ago

Sri Lanka ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa gets clean chit in 2022 'unaccounted cash' probe

Firstpost  

The Bribery Commission informed the court that further legal proceedings regarding this incident would not be taken owing to insufficient evidence to proceed with the matter, the Daily Mirror online reported on Thursday Citing lack of evidence, Sri Lanka’s anti-graft commission has dropped a case against former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in which more than Rs 17 million was discovered by …

Sri Lanka says it has reached an agreement with China’s EXIM Bank on debt, clearing IMF funding snag
1 year, 2 months ago

Sri Lanka says it has reached an agreement with China’s EXIM Bank on debt, clearing IMF funding snag

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka says it has reached an agreement with the Exim Bank of China on key terms and principles for restructuring its debt, a key step toward unlocking a second instalment of a $2.9 billion package from International Monetary Fund aimed at rescuing the island nation from a dire economic crisis. The finance ministry said in …

IMF says Sri Lanka needs to boost reforms and collect more taxes for its bailout funding package
1 year, 3 months ago

IMF says Sri Lanka needs to boost reforms and collect more taxes for its bailout funding package

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka has so far failed to make enough progress in boosting tax collection and other economic reforms for the International Monetary Fund to release a second tranche of $330 million in the country’s $2.9 billion bailout from bankruptcy, the IMF said. Sri Lanka plunged into its worst economic crisis last year, suffering severe shortages and …

Sri Lanka parliament debates the health minister’s fate over reports of lack of drugs, hospital care
1 year, 4 months ago

Sri Lanka parliament debates the health minister’s fate over reports of lack of drugs, hospital care

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan lawmakers began a debate on the fate of country’s health minister on Wednesday, seeking to remove him over his alleged failure to secure enough essential drugs and laboratory equipment that some say resulted in preventable deaths in hospitals. Sri Lanka provides free health service through state-run hospitals but they have suffered from a shortage …

ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES | Sri Lankan debt crisis to get worse if IMF prescription is heeded
1 year, 5 months ago

ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES | Sri Lankan debt crisis to get worse if IMF prescription is heeded

The Hindu  

Published : Jul 13, 2023 11:00 IST - 6 MINS READ On July 1, Sri Lanka’s parliament approved, through a majority 122-62 vote, a plan to restructure the government’s domestic debt, which totalled 15.4 trillion Sri Lankan rupees at the end of March 2023. At that point in time, of the government’s total debt of $86.5 billion, $46.9 billion was …

India Continues To Help Sri Lanka Stand Economically, But Colombo’s Love For Beijing Keeps Soaring
1 year, 6 months ago

India Continues To Help Sri Lanka Stand Economically, But Colombo’s Love For Beijing Keeps Soaring

ABP News  

The day was July 9, 2022 when the world witnessed unprecedented developments taking place in Indian Ocean island nation of Sri Lanka even as a large number of protestors stormed the President’s palace in Colombo that eventually led to an unceremonious escape of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to Maldives and then to Singapore. During a two-day visit to China, Sri …

Sri Lanka has no money to hold presidential polls in 2023: Cabinet spokesman
1 year, 6 months ago

Sri Lanka has no money to hold presidential polls in 2023: Cabinet spokesman

Firstpost  

Sri Lanka Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said that no elections would be possible this year as the state finances have not improved Economic crisis hit Sri Lanka will not be holding a snap presidential election this year as the government wants to focus on debt restructuring, said Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena. Denying speculations that the government might opt to hold …

IMF says Sri Lanka’s economic recovery shows signs of improvement but challenges remain
1 year, 7 months ago

IMF says Sri Lanka’s economic recovery shows signs of improvement but challenges remain

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Debt-stricken Sri Lanka, which declared bankruptcy last year, is showing signs of economic improvement but its recovery still faces challenges, the International Monetary Fund said Friday. But the economic recovery remains challenging,” said IMF deputy managing director Kenji Okamura after concluding a visit to Sri Lanka, where he met with the country’s top leaders and officials. …

India Extends $1 Billion Credit Line To Sri Lanka For Another Year Amid Economic Crisis
1 year, 7 months ago

India Extends $1 Billion Credit Line To Sri Lanka For Another Year Amid Economic Crisis

ABP News  

In a move to assist Sri Lanka in overcoming its severe economic crisis, India has extended its under-utilized USD 1 billion credit line for an additional year. The agreement between the State Bank of India and the Sri Lankan government was initially signed in March of last year, during the height of the country's economic turmoil. The Indian High Commission …

Sri Lanka trying to reduce overall debt by $17 billion, president says
1 year, 8 months ago

Sri Lanka trying to reduce overall debt by $17 billion, president says

Live Mint  

Sri Lanka is trying to reduce its overall debt by $17 billion through restructuring, its president told the parliament on Wednesday as he sought support of opposition parties for a nearly $3 billion International Monetary Fund programme. President Ranil Wickremesinghe also said the country would discuss debt restructuring with India and the Paris Club of creditors on one platform and …

World Bank ensures continued support for Sri Lanka's economic recovery
1 year, 8 months ago

World Bank ensures continued support for Sri Lanka's economic recovery

The Hindu  

The World Bank has assured crisis-struck Sri Lanka of continued support to stabilise the island nation's economy and enhance its economic recovery, State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe has said. State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe, who is in Washington to attend the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, said that the global lender extended …

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka to see economic contraction in 2023: Report
1 year, 9 months ago

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka to see economic contraction in 2023: Report

Live Mint  

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka is estimated to see a contraction in its economic growth this year, according to Asian Development Bank data. The Washington-based financial body has recently approved a 48-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility of about USD 3 billion to support Sri Lanka's economic policies and reforms. The needed reforms, according to the development bank's Asian Development Outlook …

Sri Lanka slashes fuel prices in welcome relief amid crisis
1 year, 9 months ago

Sri Lanka slashes fuel prices in welcome relief amid crisis

Firstpost  

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s government on Wednesday announced significant cuts in fuel prices, providing welcome relief for many after a year of shortages and skyrocketing prices amid the country’s worst economic crisis. Sri Lanka earlier this month secured approval of a $2.9 billion IMF bailout program a key step in its recovery from a crisis brought on by the pandemic and …

IMF approves $3-billion bailout for Sri Lanka; tackling corruption a key condition
1 year, 9 months ago

IMF approves $3-billion bailout for Sri Lanka; tackling corruption a key condition

The Hindu  

The International Monetary Fund on March 20 cleared a $3 billion-Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka, potentially unlocking more loans for the debt-ridden island nation that is struggling to recover from last year’s economic meltdown. Identifying corruption as a key issue, an IMF “governance diagnostic mission” has started assessing Sri Lanka’s governance and anti-corruption framework in its first such exercise …

IMF approves crucial $3 Billion bailout for bankrupt Sri Lanka
1 year, 9 months ago

IMF approves crucial $3 Billion bailout for bankrupt Sri Lanka

India TV News  

IMF: Amid tremendous economic and social challenges in Sri Lanka, the International Monetary Fund approved a nearly $3 billion bailout program for the country over four years to help salvage the country's bankrupt economy. Sri Lanka facing heightened financial sector vulnerabilities “Sri Lanka has been facing tremendous economic and social challenges with a severe recession amid high inflation, depleted reserves, …

Sri Lanka seeks 10-year debt moratorium ahead of IMF bailout
1 year, 9 months ago

Sri Lanka seeks 10-year debt moratorium ahead of IMF bailout

The Hindu  

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka is seeking a 10-year moratorium on its foreign debt, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office said on March 20, 2023 on the eve of a desperately needed $2.9 billion IMF bailout. The IMF’s executive board was expected to sign off on Colombo’s bailout application later on Monday after a long delay in securing financial assurances from China, Sri Lanka’s …

Sri Lanka's crisis-hit economy shrank by record 7.8% last year
1 year, 9 months ago

Sri Lanka's crisis-hit economy shrank by record 7.8% last year

Firstpost  

An unprecedented economic crisis sparked huge protests in the island nation, culminating last July when a mob stormed the home of then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, forcing him to flee the country and resign Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s crisis-hit economy shrank a record 7.8 per cent last year as long blackouts and critical fuel shortages put a chokehold on local commerce, …

Sri Lanka leader says IMF deal imminent after China’s pledge
1 year, 10 months ago

Sri Lanka leader says IMF deal imminent after China’s pledge

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s president said Tuesday that China has given crucial debt restructuring assurances that mean the bankrupt Indian Ocean nation could get its $2.9 billion bailout package approved soon. He said, however, that difficult economic reforms needed to be carried out as agreed with the IMF and Sri Lanka can’t afford to sidestep from them as …

India helped Sri Lanka more than any other country during economic crisis: Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry
1 year, 10 months ago

India helped Sri Lanka more than any other country during economic crisis: Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry

India TV News  

Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has praised India saying that New Delhi helped them more than any other country especially when they were going through its worst economic crisis. Speaking during Raisina Dialogue 'Ideas Pod', Sabry said that not just the Indian government came forward with bold decisions but even the Indian people came forward to support Sri Lanka. …

Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at election protest; 15 injured
1 year, 10 months ago

Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at election protest; 15 injured

The Hindu  

Police in Sri Lanka on February 26, 2023 fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters angry over a decision to postpone local elections after the government said it cannot finance them because of the country's crippling economic crisis. Thousands of supporters of the Opposition National People's Power party tried to march toward the main business district in capital …

Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at election protest; 15 hurt
1 year, 10 months ago

Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at election protest; 15 hurt

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Police in Sri Lanka on Sunday fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters angry over a decision to postpone local elections after the government said it cannot finance them because of the country’s crippling economic crisis. Thousands of supporters of the opposition National People’s Power party tried to march toward the main business district …

Sri Lanka delays first vote since new president
1 year, 10 months ago

Sri Lanka delays first vote since new president

Firstpost  

Colombo: Sri Lanka’s independent election commission indefinitely postponed local polls Friday after the president – installed by parliament last year after his predecessor fled – refused to fund the vote. The 9 March polls would only have picked local councillors but would be the first electoral test for Ranil Wickremesinghe since he took office in July after months of protests …

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