Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has called on industrialists and the business community to protect their employees during the Covid 19 epidemic instead of removing them from the workforce
Sri Lanka needs well-designed political and economic policy changes for long-term recovery
The government has taken steps to address shortages of fuel and gas to some extent when compared to the earlier situation which had long queues that stretched for kilometres outside fuel and gas stations. But a well-planned recovery plan still cannot be seen that can address the long-term food security issues.
More on REGION
SRI Lanka reverses arrival ban of passengers with recent travel history to six Gulf nations
Sri Lanka has revised its decision to ban arrivals of airline passengers with a recent travel history to six Gulf countries for two weeks
Fast-paced withdrawal may undermine Pakistan’s influence over Taliban: Report
The fast-paced troops’ withdrawal amid stalled peace talks and rising violence in Afghanistan may undermine Islamabad’s influence to facilitate the Taliban's return to Kabul through power-sharing arrangements, says a report by the International Crisis Group
Maldivian man sentenced to 32 years in prison for molesting stepdaughter
A 52-year-old Maldivian man has been sentenced to 32 years in prison by a court for sexually abusing his stepdaughter for over a year
Bhutan records 330 teenage pregnancy cases, including 12 minors
Bhutan recorded at least 330 cases of teenage pregnancy in 2020. Of them, only 18 cases were reported to the police
Seven EU nations, Switzerland, Iceland clear Covishield for Indian travellers
In a big diplomatic win for India, seven European Union (EU) nations along with Switzerland and Iceland have cleared Serum Institute of India (SII)'s anti-COVID-19 vaccine Covishield amid a row over its travel pass
Severe heat wave sweeps Delhi, Gurgaon, maximum temperature 7 degrees above normal
An intense heat wave swept across the National Capital Region Wednesday
Afghanistan’s survival in danger, warns Afghan chief peace negotiator
The survival of Afghanistan is in danger, Afghan chief peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah has warned, as foreign troops set to end its presence in a week time, creating a security vacuum in Afghanistan
Nepal PM Oli softens stance to avoid party split
Faced with rebellion within the party, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the chairman of the CPN-UML, has taken several measures to bring back party dissidents
Sri Lankan army general arrested for assaulting wildlife worker
Authorities in Sri Lanka have arrested a senior army officer of major general rank who allegedly assaulted a wildlife worker a few days ago
Several patients die in Bangladesh hospital amidst oxygen shortage
Several patients have reportedly died at a Covid-19 dedicated hospital in southwestern Bangladesh amid a shortage of medical oxygen at the facility
EUR 33 million transferred to Bangladesh from EU funds for social security during pandemic
The European Union (EU) and Germany have transferred EUR 33 million (USD3,90,92,790) to the Bangladesh government to strengthen key areas of its social security system and build resilience to Covid-19, particularly focusing on the affected workers in export-oriented industries
India to European Union: Accept Covishield, Covaxin or face consequences
In a strong-worded communication, India has asked the European Union that either Covishield and Covaxin must be notified in its digital COVID certificate or people from the EU will face mandatory quarantine upon arrival in India
A fifth vaccine, Novavax, may get approval in India
The Covovax shot developed by US vaccine-maker Novavax may be cleared for use in India between July and September, which would make it the fifth vaccine approved in the country
Maldives: Pandemic hit cafes, restaurants get $3.1 million in relief loans
The Maldives has disbursed around $3.1 million in the form of relief loans to cafes and restaurants as the industry continues to bear the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic
