Category: World
US State Secretary discusses Sri Lanka’s economic & political challenges with PM Wickremesinghe
United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the US Department of State said. Spokesperson Ned Price said that the Secretary and Prime Minister discussed Sri Lanka’s current economic and political challenges. “The Secretary affirmed the United States’ commitment to the Sri Lankan people during this […]
A Sri Lankan Nomad shares his experience at the Geographic South Pole in Antarctica
I always had the idea in my head that I would visit the South Pole one day, but the actual planning happened sometime in August 2021. In a year there is only a very small window when you can visit the South Pole. That’s from mid-November to mid-January, it’s the summer for Antarctica with 24 […]
Rise in Global Inflation Widespread and Persistent: Fitch Ratings
The pick-up in global inflation has been widespread and persistent and has shown few signs of having peaked, according to Fitch Ratings’ latest ‘20/20 Vision’ chart pack. CPI inflation has increased in virtually every Fitch 20 country in the past three months and is now elevated relative to pre-pandemic rates and inflation targets in many […]
Fitch Ratings Now Forecasts Two Fed Rate Hikes This Year, Four in 2023
Fitch Ratings expects the Fed to raise rates twice in 2022 and four times in 2023, taking the Fed funds rate (upper bound) to 1.75% by end-2023 from 0.25% currently. Fitch’s updated US interest rate forecasts reflect the major pivot by the Fed at its policy meeting on 14-15 December 2021, prompted by evidence that […]
Temporary closure of identified Sri Lanka missions overseas to conserve foreign reserves
The Foreign Ministry has taken a decision to temporarily close three of its Missions / Posts overseas, i.e., the Sri Lanka High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria; the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Frankfurt, Germany; and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Nicosia, Cyprus; with effect from 31 December 2021. The decision, which has […]
‘s vaccine certificates now recognised on entry to the UK
From Monday 1 November, eligible travellers from Sri Lanka with appropriate proof of vaccination will qualify under the fully vaccinated rules for travel to the UK. To be treated as fully vaccinated, travellers must be able to prove that they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival, with a vaccine recognised by […]
Sri Lanka & Thailand hold high-powered talks to explore mutually beneficial investment corridors
To further enhance and expand investment corridors between Sri Lanka and Thailand, the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, together with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, co-hosted a high-powered dialogue by inviting leading line agencies and trade chambers of […]
Sri Lanka receives over 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX
A chartered plane arrived in Sri Lanka with more than 1.5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the COVAX Facility. Donated by the United States, the 1,500,100 doses of the vaccine come to Sri Lanka under the dose-sharing mechanism of COVAX facility promote equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across the globe. “The Government […]
Sri Lanka and Australia to strengthen practical cooperation
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner David Holly on 13 July 2021 discussed avenues for consolidating relations between the two countries in multiple spheres to achieve tangible outcomes. Following up from the successful telephone conversation held with the Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in June this year, the two […]
Vietnam SL Bilateral Relations to get a boost in Organic Farming, IT Sector Investments & Tourism
The Ambassador of Viet Nam in Colombo Ho Thi Thanh Truc paid a courtesy call on State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya at the Foreign Ministry premises on 13 July, 2021. While reiterating on the long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries, the State Minister Balasuriya noted that the main focus of the Government […]
Prospect to leave for work in Korea will be provided shortly, Korean Ambassador assures
The Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Woonjin Jeong assured the Foreign Minister that the facilities required for the Sri Lankan youth who are eligible for employment in Korea to travel to Korea will be provided shortly. He was speaking at a discussion on the delays faced by young people who are eligible for jobs in […]
Auckland tops EIU’s liveability rankings owing to its ability to contain Covid-19 faster
The overall global average liveability score has fallen by seven points, as compared with the average pre-pandemic score, a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit showed. According to their Global Liveability Index 2021, the extent to which cities were sheltered by strong border closures, their ability to handle the health crisis and the pace at […]