Sri Lanka

23 August 2024
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Members of the Sri Lankan military board a smuggling ship as part of a training exercise on maritime crime near Trincomalee. (Photo by Takayuki Tanaka)
Indo-Pacific

Indo-Pacific nations embrace U.N. exercises to fight maritime crime

China provocations contribute to growing interest in boosting security

23 August 2024
President Ranil Wickremesinghe gestures as he arrives at the Election Commission on Aug.15 in Colombo to submit his nomination papers for the upcoming presidential election.
Politics

Sri Lankan election shines light on president's legacy and links

Wickremesinghe stabilized economy but ties to Rajapaksa clan could hurt

19 August 2024
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Photos

Through the lens: Eye on Asia for the third week of August

A selection of striking photos from across Asia

16 August 2024
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Photos

Through the lens: Eye on Asia for the second week of August

A selection of striking photos from across Asia

9 August 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris could become the first female U.S. president.
U.S. elections 2024

Harris could become the 1st female U.S. leader; Asia's had several

Over 13 Asian countries and regions including Australia and Taiwan have had women heads

4 August 2024
An Indian fishing boat collided with a Sri Lankan naval vessel just north of Katchatheevu, a contentious island India ceded to Sri Lanka in the 1970s. 
International relations

India summons Sri Lanka's envoy after maritime collision

One Indian fisherman dead, one missing after bump with Sri Lankan navy

1 August 2024
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, second from right, attends the country's 76th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo during February.
Politics

Sri Lanka president fails to get backing of largest party for reelection

Reform-friendly Wickremesinghe expected to seek support from splitters, opposition

29 July 2024
Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe attends the country's 76th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo, on Feb. 4.
Politics

Sri Lanka to hold presidential election on Sept. 21

Incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Premadasa expected to run

26 July 2024
Sri Lanka's inflation dropped to 1.7% in June, a sharp contrast to the 70% in September 2022 during the height of the financial crisis.
Economy

Sri Lanka cuts rates by 0.25% to help fuel economic recovery

Central bank expects inflation to remain below 5% target in medium term

24 July 2024
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on June 3. (Photo by Takuya Fujisawa)
Interview

Sri Lanka calls for Japanese investments in infrastructure and IT

Foreign minister says the country has to learn from Chinese 'debt trap'

3 July 2024
Supporters of Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe were in high spirits after he signed agreements on June 26 with China and other creditor nations to restructure about $10 billion in debt. 
Finance

Sri Lanka to save $5 billion after big debt rework, president says

Cash-strapped island nation has spent 15 months negotiating with creditors

2 July 2024
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe hailed the debt restructuring plan as a "significant milestone." (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
27 June 2024
The IMF says Sri Lanka's economy is starting to recover, its revenue collection is improving and reserves continue to accumulate.
Sri Lanka crisis

IMF approves second review of Sri Lanka's $2.9bn bailout

Global lender calls for more debt restructuring as economy remains vulnerable

13 June 2024
Drivers push auto rickshaws in a line to buy gasoline from a fuel station in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in July 2022 amid an economic crisis.
Economy

Developing countries face record interest payments as rates rise

Growing debt burden casts shadow over global economic outlook

12 June 2024
Radio Ceylon's oldest transmitter is pictured in this classic studio setup. The station, now called the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp., was launched by British colonial authorities in Colombo in December 1925. (All photos courtesy of the author)
Tea Leaves

How Radio Ceylon became an Asian institution

Sri Lankan station played a major role in building links with India

22 May 2024
Curries vary by type and flavor not only from country to country, but from home to home. (All photos by Meenakshi J)
Tea Leaves

Global curry trail crosses continents

Variations of the traditional Tamil dish have conquered the culinary world

15 May 2024
An Indian-Russian joint venture has won a 30-year contract to manage Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, built with Chinese funding and called the world's emptiest airport, in southern Sri Lanka. 
International relations

Sri Lanka turns to India as counterbalance to Chinese presence

Vital power, port, airport projects involve neighbor as Asian rivals focus on Indian Ocean

9 May 2024
Laos' weakening currency threatens faster food price inflation. (Photo by Kenya Akama)
Economy

Laos, other debt-laden Asia-Pacific nations under pressure from strong dollar

ADB boosts funding for vulnerable countries amid debt trap fears

7 May 2024
Sri Lankan capital Colombo. The nation has failed to strike an agreement with international bondholders on restructuring about $12 billion in debt.
Sri Lanka crisis

Uncertainty looms over Sri Lanka as debt restructuring talks hit snag

Upcoming presidential election ramps up pressure to accelerate negotiations

20 April 2024
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is accusing the opposition Congress party of improperly ceding Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Ken Kobayashi)
International relations

Eyeing third term, India's Modi jabs opposition over Sri Lankan islet

Leader accuses Congress party of 'callously' ceding island in 1970s

9 April 2024
Sagala Ratnayaka, adviser to the Sri Lankan president on national security, talks with Nikkei in a recent interview. (Photo by Satoshi Iwaki) 
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's debt repayments to be suspended until 2028

Security adviser says the country is in final talks with creditor nations

6 April 2024
A woman buys vegetables at a market in Colombo in November 2023. Sri Lanka is relying on international support as it recovers from a deep economic crisis.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka and IMF reach staff-level deal on second bailout review

Board approval would unlock $337m in funds for economic recovery

21 March 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, met with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in Beijing in January.
20 March 2024
Sri Lanka's garment industry is striving to climb the value chain with a focus on sustainability, as the government seeks a green economic renaissance. 
Asia Insight

Sri Lanka cultivates sustainable fashion for an economic revival

Government and garment makers aim to catch green wave to boost competitiveness

5 March 2024