Category: South Asia
BRICS Expands: Nine Nations to Join as Partner States from Jan 2025; More Expected Soon
Russia confirmed on Monday (December 23) that nine nations have agreed to join BRICS as partner states, with their status becoming official on January 1, 2025, as reported by foreign media. A report from TASS, citing Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, revealed that a total of thirteen nations were invited to join the newly established category […]
27 victims of human trafficking rescued from Myanmar repatriated to Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in coordination with Sri Lanka Missions in Myanmar and Thailand, successfully facilitated the repatriation of 27 Sri Lankans who had been lured into cybercrime operations and became victims of human trafficking in Myanmar. Senior officials of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry received the group […]
Global Sovereign Sector Outlook Is Neutral, with US Policy Risks to the Fore: Fitch Ratings
Global sovereign credit conditions are neutral entering 2025, as an only mild slowdown in world economic growth and further cuts to policy interest rates are balanced against persistent pressures on public finances and elevated geopolitical risks, Fitch Ratings says in its Global Sovereigns Outlook for 2025. Uncertainty over post-election US policies and their impact poses […]
‘s behind the US indictment of Indian billionaire Gautam Adani?
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, one of the world’s richest people, has been indicted on multiple counts of fraud in the US. The criminal charges are related to his alleged role in a scheme to bribe officials in India. Prosecutors say he and other senior executives paid more than 250 million dollars to win contracts for […]
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 […]
”’
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, […]