Category: World
Global Leaders Convene in Paris for Summit on New Global Financing Pact
President Emmanuel Macron of the French Republic has invited world leaders, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe, to participate in the highly anticipated Global Leaders’ Summit for a New Global Financing Pact. The event, scheduled to take place in Paris on 22 and 23 June, aims to address the pressing challenges faced by the world today. The […]
Advisory on fraudulent IT-related job offers in Thailand
The Sri Lanka Mission in Thailand has noticed recently that Sri Lankan nationals are being lured for employment in Thailand particularly for the positions in the Information Technology (IT) sector by dubious IT firms involved in call-centre scams and crypto currency fraud. Victims are illegally taken across the border from Thailand mostly into Myanmar and […]
Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement to be signed in first quarter of 2024
The fourth round of negotiations on the proposed Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLTFTA) was held in Colombo from 27 to 29 March 2023. On March 26, a 35-member Thai delegation led by Auramon Supathaweethum, Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, arrived in Sri Lanka for the fourth round of talks. The Sri […]
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry to visit Saudi Arabia
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry is scheduled to make an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 23-27 January 2023 on an invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Minister is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Farhan Al Saud and discuss […]
Haircut in Chinese context politically very difficult but discussions continue: Kristalina Georgieva
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says that a haircut in the Chinese context is politically very difficult even though there might be a way to reach the same objective by stretching maturities, reducing or eliminating interest rates, and payments. At a recent media roundtable, Georgieva said that they have engaged with the Chinese […]
Sharp, Long-lasting Slowdown to Hit Developing Countries Hard: World Bank
Global growth is slowing sharply in the face of elevated inflation, higher interest rates, reduced investment, and disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. Given fragile economic conditions, any new adverse development—such as higher-than-expected inflation, abrupt rises in interest rates to contain it, a resurgence […]
New UNDP Resident Representative takes office
Azusa Kubota presented her credentials on 9 January 2023 to the Ali Sabry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, officially taking office as the new Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. Prior to her appointment in Sri Lanka, Ms. Kubota served as the Resident Representative at UNDP in Bhutan for 4 […]
Fitch 2023 Outlook: Most Sovereign Sector Outlooks Deteriorating, Global Rating Prospects More Balanced
Fitch Ratings’ ‘deteriorating’ 2023 sector outlook for global sovereigns reflects weaker global economic growth, rising funding costs and pressures from high inflation. The overall balance of sovereign rating outlooks is near to its long-term average, but further monetary policy tightening and elevated geopolitical tensions represent key challenges this year. Five of eight sovereign regions have […]
World Growth Forecasts Cut Again as Inflation Fight Intensifies
World GDP forecasts for 2023 have been revised down again as central banks intensify their fight against inflation and the outlook for China’s property market deteriorates, says Fitch Ratings in its latest Global Economic Outlook (GEO) report published today. Fitch now expects world GDP to grow by 1.4% in 2023, revised down from 1.7% in […]
The world population reaches 8 billion people
Our world is approaching a landmark moment in human history. On 15 November 2022, the global population is projected to reach 8 billion people. Thanks to science, technology, and groundbreaking innovations, we now live longer and healthier. It took the human family 125 years to get from 1 billion to 2 billion. But only 12 […]
Korea and Sri Lanka marks 45th Anniversary of diplomatic relations
By Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG Ayubowan, Vanakkam, Annyonghasimnikka (Korean greeting) I am the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka, Santhush Woonjin Jeong. November 14th marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Korea and Sri Lanka. I would like to celebrate the meaningful day together with Sri […]
New GBP 3m UK Humanitarian support for Sri Lanka
Today, the UK announced a £3 million humanitarian package for Sri Lanka, providing vital support to the most in need. British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton said that “This new package will provide multipurpose cash, livelihoods and other support to those most in need across the country including: pregnant and nursing mothers, children, low-income fisherman and […]