Sri Lanka

Donald Trump’s gutting of the American aid agency has adversely impacted humanitarian work in countries like Sri Lanka – while calling into question the reliability of Western foreign aid in the Global South.

Sri Lanka’s JVP-led NPP government has made a dramatic pivot toward India, even utilizing legislative changes it once vehemently opposed.

Regional conflict has intensified the vulnerabilities of Asian domestic migrant workers, leaving many without legal safeguards, financial support, or options to return home.

Uncertainty looms. But since the tariffs are also squeezing global competitors, South Asian countries could, with the right policies, recover.

By prioritizing transparency, the Sri Lankan government aims to rebuild trust with international lenders and investors, a critical step in stabilizing the economy.

An interview with a former President that led to public calls for a probe into the Batalanda Commission Report has finally prompted the government to reopen a dark chapter.

In 2021, the Sri Lankan Army became the unlikely vanguard of a supposed green revolution, resulting in a radical redefinition of civil-military relations in farming regions.

South Asian militaries need to work cooperatively to build a regional climate security strategy.

Colombo’s selection of partners for weapons and training will be a significant strategic decision for the NPP government, which India views as pro-China.

The 2025 budget – the first under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake – reveals a delicate balancing act between adhering to IMF mandates and addressing domestic economic realities.

By formalizing and regulating the deployment of its ex-soldiers as mercenaries, Sri Lanka could address economic, social, and geopolitical challenges.

The NPP government has announced that it is reviewing the Adani Group’s $442 million wind power projects in Mannar and Pooneryn.

As China refines its strategy on the Indian Ocean island, it is posing a significant challenge to Japan’s long-held influence in Sri Lanka.

China’s Sinopec has agreed to set up an oil refinery with an investment of $3.7 billion in Hambantota.

How will Colombo's economic relations with Beijing proceed in the post-default era?

Sri Lanka has been taking an increasingly active role in the global discourse on climate finance for vulnerable economies. Will the new president continue these efforts?

Promises made to India by President Anura Dissanayake in December 2024 must be matched with action.

Early warning systems and fostering public awareness have improved. But gaps remain in policy implementation and infrastructure maintenance.

While agreements promise economic recovery, concerns remain regarding their long-term implications for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and economic independence.

In the recent general election, residents of the Tamil-dominated north signaled they are tired of ethnic politics and want development and better job opportunities.

For the new government, acting upon deals with Adani is more than a legal or economic issue. It is a test of its commitment to fighting corruption.

The NPP obtained an unprecedented two-thirds majority in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections, benefitting massively from the opposition’s inertia and lack of imagination.

The NPP's “unprecedented win in this election could be easily called a peaceful coup by the voters.”