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

Pakistan becomes 29th country with 500 COVID-19 deaths

While around 1,000 cases and over 20 deaths have been reported daily in the country during the last five days, in global ranking Pakistan has been ranked 24th in terms of most number of cases and has become 29th country in which over 500 deaths have been reported due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Pakistan cabinet approves easing lockdown after May 9

The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved easing lockdown restrictions in the country gradually after May 9 to open earning facilities to workers and daily wage earners provided strict implementation of the coronavirus-related preventive measures suggested by the government is ensured

Pakistan, ADB finalise $305m emergency loan

Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have finalised negotiations for a $305 million emergency loan to procure health equipment and disburse cash assistance among the needy women aimed at coping with the health and economic crises stemming from the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic

People pack ferries, stream back to Dhaka ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr amid coronavirus crisis

People have begun flooding back into Dhaka after the government relaxed the shutdown over coronavirus with the Eid-ul-Fitr approaching

Schools, colleges to stay closed till May 30

All educational institutions will remain closed until May 30 on the occasions of Ramadan, Jumatul Wida, Shab-e-Qadr, and Eid-ul-Fitr, said Mahbub Hossain, secondary and higher education division secretary

8.5pc GDP growth set for fiscal 2020-21 on hopes of V-shaped recovery

The government is gunning for an 8.5 per cent GDP growth next fiscal year in the hope the economy would be springing back to a higher expansion trajectory once the coronavirus outbreak has been quelled

Taliban rules out ceasefire offer with Afghan governmnent

Sher Abbas Stanekzai, Taliban chief negotiator, says ceasefire with the US-led foreign forces is intact but there is no ceasefire with the Afghan government forces as it is not part of the US-Taliban agreement

Covid Rescue: India to operate 64 flights, bring home 14K Indians

India will operate 64 flights to bring back 14,000 stranded Indians from abroad. Majority of these flights are expected to be operated by Air India, while so me might also be flown by private airlines and the IAF

India needs to do more testing: Indian Medical Association

India on Tuesday recorded the highest spike in novel coronavirus cases and fatalities. At least 3,900 new cases and 195 deaths in 24 hours have been reported today, with the total tally of cases at 46,433 and the toll at 1,568

As lockdown disrupts tourism, hundreds of guides sit idle at home

With the nationwide lockdown adversely affecting different sections of society financially, thousands men and women acting as guides at different tourist places  are facing a dire situation

Bangladesh reports 786 new virus cases in record jump, death toll hits 183

Bangladesh has detected 786 COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour count to Tuesday morning in the biggest jump, taking the tally of infections to 10,929

India to take back its citizens stranded in Bangladesh by air

India will take back its nationals, who are stranded in Bangladesh during the ongoing shutdown enforced due to the coronavirus pandemic, by air

B'desh shopping malls to reopen ahead of Eid

The Bangladesh government has allowed shopping malls to reopen from May 10 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and also laid down a series of conditions for the businesses to operate ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr

Progress reported in Afghan political negotiations

The Afghan Presidential Palace has reported progress in ending the dispute between President Ashraf Ghani and his mainpolitical opponent Abdullah Abdullah, who has also announced a development in the process and vowed a soon-to-come political agreement

Bhutan to the aid of border people in India

After sending packages of essential food items to 600 poor families of border villagers across the border in the Datgari and Hatisar areas of India during the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic a week ago, the Government of Bhutan has again come forward to help these border people tide over the crisis they have been facing owing to the shortage of Indian currency with them