Country
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Says Debt-restructuring Talks Making Progress
By Bharatha Mallawarachi
India has already given the necessary assurances to the IMF. Other bilateral creditors, including China, have not yet but Sri Lanka says there’s progress in the ongoing discussions.
India Eyes Sri Lanka’s Renewable Energy Sector
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The island does not have an energy policy and deals, which are often done secretly, are controversial.
Sri Lanka’s Steep Climb Out of the Economic Abyss
By Luke Hunt
Colombo is still waiting on Beijing’s approval for debt restructuring.
This Week in Asia: January 20, 2023
The Diplomat's weekly round-up of Asia news.
India Backs Sri Lanka to Secure IMF Bailout Plan Amid Crisis
By Krishan Francis
Foreign Minister Jaishankar said it has extended financing assurances to the IMF to clear the plan but did not reveal the nature of these assurances.
A Damning Indictment of Sri Lanka’s Political and Security Establishment
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Supreme Court has ruled that despite having actionable intelligence, former President Sirisena and top officials did not act to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
Sri Lanka Urged to Free Student Activist Held Over Protests
By Bharatha Mallawarachi
Rights groups say that authorities used extraordinary powers to keep Wasantha Mudalige in detention without producing evidence of his involvement in terrorism.
Prices Rose and Protests Convulsed South Asia in 2022
By Sudha Ramachandran
Depleting foreign exchange reserves forced several countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, to turn to the IMF.
To Please the IMF, Sri Lanka is Cutting Troop Numbers
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Instead, it should retrain its soldiers and redeploy them in policing, peacekeeping, and disaster rescue and relief roles.
Demystifying China’s Role in Sri Lanka’s Debt Restructuring
By Umesh Moramudali and Thilina Panduwawala
Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring is deeply embedded both within a global emerging market debt crisis and a moment of rethinking within China about its global role as a creditor.
In Defense of Sri Lanka’s Defense Budget
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Reducing allocation for defense will require retrenching soldiers. Cutting loose angry youth with weapons skills is not what the crisis-ridden island needs now.
Amnesty International Urges Sri Lanka to Drop Terror Charges Against 2 Protest Leaders
By Bharatha Mallawarachi
It also called for the repeal of the harsh, civil war-era Prevention of Terrorism Act, under which the two protest leaders are being held.