Category: South Asia
UN Assistant Secretary General concludes visit; reinforces support to national development agenda
United Nations Assistant-Secretary-General (ASG), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Kanni Wignaraja met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya during her one day in-country mission yesterday. ASG Wignaraja was accompanied by Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka, Ms. Azusa Kubota. In her […]
Sri Lanka Facilitates Repatriation of 56 Pakistani Prisoners
Sri Lanka has successfully facilitated the repatriation of 56 Pakistani prisoners who had been languishing in Sri Lankan jails for several years. The group, comprising 51 men and 5 women, was flown back to Pakistan on a specially chartered plane. This humanitarian effort was made possible through the efforts of Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister Mohsin […]
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to visit Colombo this week
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Colombo this week, marking the first high-level engagement with newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This visit aims to reaffirm India’s commitment to Sri Lanka, especially amidst concerns about potential shifts in foreign policy under the new Marxist leadership.
Enhanced educational cooperation creates more opportunities for Sri Lankan Teachers in Maldives
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives Ranga Goonawardana recently held a meeting with the Minister of Education of Maldives Dr. Ismail Shafeeu to explore ways to enhance educational collaboration between the two nations. The discussions underscored the significance of leveraging the shared history and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and Maldives to foster mutual […]
Sri Lankan Pharmaceutical sector eyes Vietnamese market
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Hanoi, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) organized a webinar on “Sri Lankan Pharmaceutical Industry” for Vietnamese pharmaceutical companies just prior to the Medipharm Expo 2024 in Ho Chi Minh (HCM) city. This was organized in order to raise awareness as well as to highlight the potential […]
Foreign Minister invites Japan to resume investment projects which are currently in pipeline
In an effort to strengthen economic ties, the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka cordially invites Japan to resume the investment projects that are currently in the pipeline. Additionally, he warmly welcomes fresh investments from Japan across various sectors, including power, infrastructure (such as ports and highways), as well as the green and digital economy. Media […]
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FitchRatings has downgraded the Maldives’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC+’ from ‘B-‘. Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below. A full list of rating actions is at the end of this rating action commentary. KEY RATING DRIVERS Ratings Downgrade: The downgrade of the Maldives’ […]
India lifts export ban on onions for Sri Lanka
The government of India has lifted the export ban on onions for Sri Lanka, with export of up to 10,000 MT of onions permitted vide the enclosed notification of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The exemption for Sri Lanka reiterated India’s Neighbourhood First policy, adding to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities here, […]
Indian Political Parties Clash Over Katchatheevu Creating A Political Hot Potato for Elections
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has accused the Congress party of “callously giving away” the island of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. The tiny island was claimed by both countries from 1921 to the 1970s. In 1974, a Congress government under prime minister Indira Gandhi gave up its claim and ceded the island to Sri Lanka. […]
”’ magazine takes flight in the Middle East to help build economic bridges
Embarking on a journey of connectivity, the Kuwait Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) ventured into uncharted territories by marking a significant milestone in the landscape of communication with the launch of “The Hub” magazine. The magazine was officially launched at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kuwait, with […]
Minister Jeevan Thondaman inaugurates Ramayana Art Exhibition in New Delhi
At the invitation of the Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Arts (NGMA) New Delhi, Minister of Water and Estate Infrastructure Development Jeevan Thondaman inaugurated the ‘Ramayanam Chitrakavyam’ exhibition as the Guest of Honour together with Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi on 1 March 2024. Addressing the event, […]
FAO’s Director-General Arrives in Sri Lanka to Inaugurate UN FAO Conference
FAO Director-General, Dr QU Dongyu, arrived on Sunday in Sri Lanka for a three-day visit to participate in the 37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. Government Ministers and Heads of Delegations from as many as 46 Member Nations are gathering in Colombo for the event. Sri Lanka is hosting […]