Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe

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. 

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Moscow Format on Afghanistan: Taliban accepted as a 'new reality', but trust deficit with regime remains

The joint statement released by Moscow Format consultation on Afghanistan hosted by Russia on Wednesday called the Taliban a “new reality,” and stressed the formation of an “inclusive government”, respecting the interests of all major “ethnopolitical” forces

Afghanistan fallout: Continuing attacks in Pakistan’s northwest kills five soldiers

At least five soldiers of the Pakistani security forces have been killed in two attacks-- including an IED explosion targeting a security force vehicle - in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, authorities confirmed

Indian delegation meets Taliban team in Moscow in first formal contact after takeover in Kabul

A high-level Taliban delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan's interim government, Abdul Salam Hanafi, on Wednesday met with an Indian delegation during which the Indian side expressed its readiness to provide extensive humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country, which is now ruled by the insurgent group, PTI news agency reported

India-Sri Lanka ties getting stronger and stronger, says Modi; India to promote Buddhist tourism

India-Sri Lanka ties are getting stronger and stronger across different sectors and this augurs well for the people of the two nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday after meeting Sri Lankan Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa

Taliban hails suicide bombers, offers cash and land to relatives

The Taliban, the new rulers of Afghanistan, praised its suicide bombers who died during the war in the last twenty years, fighting against the former government and its Western allies, and has offered their families and relatives sums of cash and promise of land

Over 90 dead as rain, floods, and landslides wreak havoc in India, Nepal

Over 90 people have been killed and thousands displaced as unseasonal heavy rain in northern India and Nepal caused floods and landslides, affecting several districts and key roads, highways, and damaging homes and bridges, media reports showed

India behind Pakistan, Sri Lanka in food affordability

India is ranked at 71st position in the Global Food Security (GFS) Index 2021 of 113 countries, but the country lags behind its neighbours Pakistan and Sri Lanka in terms food affordability, according to a report

India’s R-value below 1 since September; shows Covid-19 infection rate declining

India’s R-value, which reflects how rapidly the coronavirus pandemic is spreading, has remained below 1 since September, suggesting that the infection rate is declining, according to a study

Modi inaugurates Kushinagar Airport; says it will boost Buddhist tourism

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport in the district which is the final resting place of Lord Buddha. The inaugural flight, carrying a Sri Lankan delegation, headed by Sri Lankan Minister for Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, including over 100 Buddhist monks, landed this morning

Recognition of Taliban not under discussion: Russia

Russia is not ready to recognize the Taliban for now, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, adding Moscow will work with other countries to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Indian fisherman goes missing after boat collides with Sri Lankan Navy vessel

An Indian fisherman went missing on Monday night after the boat he was in collided with a Sri Lankan Navy vessel near Neduntheevu, a statement from the navy confirmed, adding two fishermen, who were also in the boat, were rescued by them

Maldives' home ministry will no longer oversee police service: Report

In what appears to be a significant political development, the Maldives Police Service has been removed from the oversight of the country's home ministry, showed a leaked order from the Office of the President reported by Sun news

Migrant workers from other states line up to leave Kashmir

On a rainy morning in Srinagar, three children of Vikas Choudhary, a labourer from Bihar, are shivering in the cold as they wait for a taxi to leave Srinagar, Kashmir - upending a life of 18 years

Zalmay Khalilzad, US special envoy, resigns as America enters new phase in Afghanistan

Zalmay Khalilzad, who negotiated the 2020 Doha Deal with the Taliban, resigned on Tuesday--almost two months after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan--as the US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, the US State Department confirmed

Pakistan opposition alliance to launch nationwide protests on 20 October

The opposition alliance in Pakistan, known as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), will launch nationwide protests, starting from Wednesday, pressing the government-led Prime Minister Imran Khan for a range of demands, including early general elections