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. 

More on REGION

Nepal government faces shutdown, budget deadlock continues

Nepal has stopped all government spendings since Wednesday as the government failed to pass the budget amid a political row with the main opposition party seeking suspension of 14 of its lawmakers who switched the party

Former Nepali Army chiefs' presence at Indian Army military conclave highlight fraternal ties

Several former chiefs of the Nepali Army have been invited by the Indian Army to a three-day military conclave that began on Thursday. Several former officials and serving chief of the Indian Army are scheduled to take part in the 8th edition of the Indian Army Chief’s Conclave and will deliberate on a range of key issues including ways to bolster the armed forces

Covid may become more manageable in six months; no new variant found in India: Indian health body chief

Covid will start becoming endemic in India in the next six months, a top expert has said, asserting that a new variant can't alone bring the third wave of infections

Seven more Pakistani soldiers killed in Waziristan: Afghanistan fallout

There is trouble brewing from Pakistan - a possible fallout from Afghanistan's volatility. Seven more members of Pakistan security forces and five insurgents were killed in the country’s northwest region of Waziristan in what the Pakistan military described as “an intelligence-based operation.”

Modi to virtually lead Indian delegation at annual SCO summit on 17 September; Pakistan, China to be present

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Indian delegation virtually at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to be held in Tajik capital city of Dushanbe on September 17, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday

Pakistan PM Imran Khan to make a two-day trip to Tajikistan

Underlining Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with the Central Asian countries, Prime Minister Imran Khan will leave on a two-day visit to Tajikistan on Thursday

Rift in Taliban leadership?

Supporters of two Taliban leaders indulged in a brawl earlier this month at the presidential palace in Kabul days after the group announced the new interim government, a report in BBC Pashto claimed, indicating serious differences among different groups in the movement

Afghan man of Indian origin reported abducted in Kabul

A 50-year-old Afghan man of Indian origin was reportedly abducted at gunpoint last night from the Karte Parwan area of Kabul, according to a tweet by Akali Dal leader Manjinder Sirsa

Quad has a 'substantive agenda' in multiple spheres: India slams talk about Quad's 'limited agenda'

Ahead of a summit meeting called by US President Joe Biden in Washington later this month, India said Quad should not be perceived as a grouping with limited agenda as it has a broad and substantive agenda

Taliban orders thousands of people in Kandahar to vacate their homes

Thousands of people, including women, in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, took to the streets, protesting against the Taliban which has ordered them to vacate their houses in government-owned residential colonies just weeks before the winter season was to set in

Is Pakistan censoring media coverage of TTP attacks and casualties?

The pace of the attacks by the Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistan Taliban, has increased drastically in the last few weeks

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka hopes to boost foreign inflows through remittances, tourism, high investments

In a bid to boost foreign inflows, crisis-hit Sri Lanka is banking on high investments, remittances, and tourist arrivals, Cabinet Co-spokesman Minister Ramesh Pathirana said as imports hit a 17-month high in July, with money printing boosting credit and creating forex shortages

Sri Lankan minister resigns over accusations he threatened to kill prisoners

Sri Lanka’s Prison Management State Minister Lohan Ratwatte resigned on Wednesday after being accused by opposition MPs of threatening to kill prisoners

Delhi Police says it has foiled major terror bid; arrested men were 'trained' in Pakistan

The Delhi Police Special Cell said it has arrested six suspected terrorists who were planning to set off bombs in various parts of the country during the upcoming festival season

Sri Lanka to gradually re-open from Sep 21; health experts apprehensive

Sri Lanka, now into its fourth week of an extended Covid-19 lockdown, is likely to gradually reopen starting next Tuesday (September 21), though health experts warn that the country is not yet out of the woods