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

No fuel shortage, claims Sri Lankan minister after colleague asks public to use fuel sparingly

Amid reports that economic crisis hit Sri Lanka was planning to borrow from US and Europe-based funds to repay loans of a state-run petroleum utility, a senior minister on Tuesday ruled out a fuel shortage

US to assess ties with Pakistan over Afghanistan’s future: Blinken

The United States will be looking at its relationship with Pakistan in the coming weeks, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said, to formulate what role the US would want Islamabad to play in the future of Afghanistan

Press freedom under threat in Pakistan; Journalists protest new ‘draconian’ media law

Thousands of journalists took to the streets in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, protesting against a draft bill that they say will seriously undermine press freedom

Bangladesh to begin special drive to vaccinate university students

Bangladesh has asked students enrolled in its universities to register for Covid-19 vaccines as the country looks to resume physical classes soon

Former Saudi intelligence chief calls Taliban’s return and its alliance with al-Qaeda ‘worrisome’

Saudi Arabia's former powerful intelligence chief Prince Turki Bin Faisal has called the Taliban’s return in Afghanistan “worrisome”, mentioning the group’s continued ties with al-Qaeda, which had once posed the greatest threat to the Gulf kingdom

Modi to attend first in-person Quad summit in Washington next week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the United States to be part of the first in-person summit of the leaders of the Quad countries - Australia, India, Japan and the United States - that will be hosted by President Joe Biden next week

Masks will stay through 2022, Indian public health official says country entering 'risky period' due to festivals

There is no wishing away masks even next year as the battle against Covid will require a studied combination of vaccines, effective drugs, and disciplined social behaviour, according to Dr VK Paul, a member of NITI Aayog, India's public policy think-tank

US climate envoy lauds Modi for 'ambitious' climate targets; says India a 'world leader' in showing economic development and clean energy can go together

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on Monday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for setting ambitious climate targets and said India has demonstrated that economic development and clean energy can go hand in hand

Bangladesh PM Hasina diverted funds, allocated for her office, to healthcare

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Prime Minister, ordered the diversion of around $176,000, originally allocated for the procurement of vehicles for her office, to the country’s health services amid the pandemic

Qatar foreign minister becomes first foreign political leader to visit Afghanistan since Taliban takeover

Qatar's foreign minister visited Afghanistan--the first foreign leader to do so since the Taliban took power--and held talks with senior officials of the Taliban’s recently announced interim government

Thousands attend funeral of policeman killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

In a possible indication of shifting popular sympathies in Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of a 25-year-old Indian police officer who was killed by terrorists in Srinagar on Sunday

India, Australia joint statement acknowledges Taliban holds positions of power, authority 'across Afghanistan'

In its first official acknowledgement of the Taliban as having established power in Kabul, India acknowledged in a joint statement with Australia Sunday that the group holds “positions of power and authority across Afghanistan”

Pakistan seeks UN probe into Kashmiri separatist leader Geelani’s death

In its bid to stir up international opinion on Kashmir, Pakistan has sought an ‘impartial but immediate” investigation into the death of Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, despite the Indian authorities saying he died of natural causes

'Afghanistan cannot be allowed to become terror safe haven; Quad looks to the future': India, Australia after 2+2 talks

India and Australia concluded their 2+2 strategic talks in New Delhi between their Foreign and Defence Ministers, with both saying “we share very strong interests in ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for the breeding or the training of terrorists”

Modi honours the country's para-athletes, says "get motivation from you all"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the achievement of the 54-member Indian contingent at the Tokyo Paralympics will significantly boost the morale of the entire sporting community in the country, adding that their performances keep him motivated