Sri Lanka
Why Americans Should Care About Sri Lanka's Economic Crisis
The status quo—broad-based government interference—only exacerbates inflation and other economic issues in Sri Lanka. The only viable solution is a gradual liberalization of the economy.
Will Sri Lanka's Troubles Leave It More Democratic?
Sri Lankans have taken to the streets and stormed official buildings in the capital, Colombo, for a combination of reasons, including an economic crisis and creeping authoritarianism. Many of the country's nearly 22 million people are having trouble buying even basic commodities, like food and cooking oil, while the country is unable to pay its debts to bondholders around the world.
China's Not to Blame for All of Sri Lanka's Woes
Some observers have blamed Sri Lanka's troubles on its dealings with China, which has made substantial investments in the country. Recently, CIA Director William J. Burns became the latest U.S. official in recent years to attribute Sri Lanka's economic crisis to Chinese debt. Of Sri Lanka's total foreign debt, loans from China's government are in the range of 10 percent to 12 percent. Adding Chinese commercial loans to a wider base of public and publicly guaranteed debt, a new analysis...
Sri Lanka Cast Out of Eden By Greedy Elite
With declining tax collection squeezing government revenue and spending, foreign borrowing—at higher rates, with shorter maturities—increasingly financed budget deficits.
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Flees as Protesters Storm His Home
Tensions are high as the country is experiencing a major economic crisis with people struggling to to get food, fuel and medicine.
The World Has a New Weapon: It's Called 'Fertilizer'
Countries, in our era of deglobalization, have just found new weapons.
The West Must Prevent Sri Lanka from Becoming South Asia's Lebanon
The international community needs to pay attention to the crisis in Sri Lanka, and the potential for renewed terrorism is not the only reason.
An Island Nation in Turmoil Allows India Chance to Seize Key China Partner
"India has stepped up its game in crisis-hit Sri Lanka at a time when China has hesitated to provide debt relief," Overseas Development Institute's Ganeshan Wignaraja told Newsweek.
Angry Sri Lankans Push Politicans' Cars Into River in Viral Clip
"People are suffering," said a man who was interviewed in the video. "People are living with one meal per day. Can you imagine?"
School Exams Postponed for Millions Amid Paper Shortage, Economic Crisis
Sri Lanka is experiencing one of the worst recessions in the country since 1948, when it became independent.
Tamil Guardian Has Instagram Removed Again 12 Hours After Reactivation
"Our work is crucial and it is being silenced," Tamil Guardian said in a statement after their account was disabled.
New Law Bans Drunkenly Driving Elephants in Sri Lanka
The new regulations will require all owners to obtain "photo identity cards with a DNA stamp for all animals under their care," according to the State Minister of Wildlife Protection.
Russia Reports 652 COVID Deaths, Highest Total in Pandemic
A new surge of infections took over the country, registering over 20,000 new coronavirus cases and around 600 deaths every day since last Thursday. On Tuesday, 20,616 new cases were recorded.
Ship That Sunk With Tons of Chemicals Caused 'Significant Damage' to Earth
A U.N. representative in Sri Lanka said the chemicals released by the X-Press Pearl sinking caused "significant damage." "An environmental emergency of this nature causes significant damage to the planet by the release of hazardous substances into the ecosystem," Hanaa Singer-Hamdy said.
U.K. Reports Over 8K new COVID Cases, Most From Delta Variant
The U.K. recorded over 8,000 new cases, the highest since late February, mostly all connected to the Delta variant. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce on Monday if England will still lift social distancing restrictions.
Sri Lanka Prosecutors Probing Deleted Emails From X-Press Pearl Captain
The processors allege a cover-up about what the crew knew before the ship entered Sri Lankan waters.
Environmentalists Sue Sri Lanka After Sinkage of Ship Loaded With Acid
The Centre for Environmental Justice called the chemical spill from the accident "the worst marine disaster" in the country's history.
Sri Lanka Disaster Could be Devastating for Whales, Endangered Turtles
"This tragic incident—inundating beaches on the west coast of Sri Lanka with tonnes of microplastics—will have immediate and long-term effects on this coastal ecosystem," the World Wildlife Fund told Newsweek on Thursday.
Sri Lanka Prepares for Possible Oil Spill After Cargo Ship's Sinking
Sri Lankan officials prepare for an oil spill after the cargo ship that caught fire on May 20, X-Press Pearl, sinks deeper into the Indian Ocean. The fishing industry is still halted as non-biodegradable plastic pellets continue to wash ashore.
Billions of Pellets Released Into Ocean as Ship Sinks off Sri Lanka Coast
One expert said the pellets, known as nurdles, "will persist in the marine environment forever as they are not biodegradable."
Cargo Ship Carrying 25 Tons of Acid Sinks in Sri Lankan Marine Disaster
"The ship has dealt a death blow to our lives. We can't go into the sea, which means we can't make a living," Joshua Anthony, head of a region fishing union.
Sri Lanka Issues Fishing Ban on Coast Amid Fears of Ship Chemical Leak
Environmentalist Ajantha Perera said potential leaks from the vessel's fuel tanks when it sinks could lead to "a terrible environmental disaster."
850 COVID-19 Cases in Malaysia Linked To Eid Festival
Malaysian Senior Minister Ismail Sabri said many Muslims ignored the COVID-19 safety rules that prevented them from seeing each other during the Eid festival
Mrs. World, Arrested Over Pageant Fracas, Believes She Did the Right Thing
Beauty queen and Mrs. World 2020 title-holder Caroline Jurie is stepping down after snatching the crown off the head of the Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant winner on Sunday, allegedly causing injuries that resulted in Jurie's arrest.
Watch: Mrs. World Strips New Beauty Pageant Winner of Crown Over Divorce
A video showed Mrs. World Caroline Jurie removing the crown of Mrs. Sri Lanka World 2021 winner Pushpika De Silva on Sunday after Jurie claimed that De Silva was divorced and therefore could not win.
ISIS Church Bombs Help China Gain Indian Ocean Ally to America's Chagrin
With the historically pro-China Rajapaksa brothers back in power, Sri Lanka is being asked by the U.S. to shun the Belt and Road Initiative and prioritize "a transparent, private sector-driven investment, grant, and business model."
WHO Is About to Decide Whether Coronaviurs Is Global Health Emergency
The virus has killed almost 200 people since it emerged in the city of Wuhan in late 2019.
United Nations Bans Sri Lankan Troops Over General Accused of War Crimes
A month after the appointment of Lt. General Shavendra Silva as chief of the Sri Lankan army, the United Nations announced a ban on Sri Lankan troops, citing concern over Silva's involvement in the death of tens of thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils during civil war.
Images of Emaciated 70-year-old Performing Elephant Spark Anger
"She walks many kilometers every night so that people will feel blessed during the ceremony. No one sees her bony body or her weakened condition, because of her costume," the Save Elephant Foundation said.