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 seeks thorough probe in seizure of uranium in India

Pakistan has expressed “serious concern” over the seizure of uranium from unauthorized persons in India and called for a “thorough probe” in the case, reported Dawn

Police arrest key suspect accused of targeting former Maldives president

Authorities in the Maldives say they have arrested a key suspect who is believed to have detonated the IED that targeted the Maldives’ former president Mohammed Nasheed on Thursday, reported Raajje TV

India, US to strengthen WHO, coordinate anti-Covid strategies

Building upon lessons learned from the early phases of COVID-19, India and the US will work closely in the international arena, including strengthening of the World Health Organization

Supreme Court steps in to set up 12-member National Task Force to distribute oxygen

In a sharp rebuke to the Modi government, the Supreme Court of India on Saturday constituted a twelve-member National Task Force (NTF) to streamline the scientific allocation of Liquid Medical Oxygen across the country to deal with the critical shortage of life-saving gas amid a virulent second wave of COVID-19 pandemic

40 killed in Kabul as bomb targets girls’ school

At least 40 people, mostly children aged between 11 to 15 years, have been killed and 50 wounded when a car bomb went off on Saturday evening near a school in Kabul, reported TOLOnews

Saudi Crown Prince welcomes India- Pakistan ceasefire understanding

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has welcomed the India-Pakistan joint statement which called for strict observance of ceasefire along the border, reported Dawn

Maldives bars entry of work visa holders from South Asia

As the renewed wave of Covid infections continues to engulf South Asian countries, authorities in the Maldives have decided to bar entry of people of the region holding its work visa, reported Raajje TV

Nepal in high-level talks with India to ensure continuous food supplies

Nepal is holding high-level talks with India to ensure continuous food shipments amid concerns that the COVID-19 crisis there may disrupt supply in the import-dependent landlocked country

Sri Lankan president asks officials to expedite vaccine import

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to expedite both imports procedures and administering of COVID-19 vaccines to the public to contain the raging third wave of the pandemic in the country

First consignment of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine arrives in Pakistan

The first consignment of the Oxford University-developed coronavirus vaccine AstraZeneca arrived in Pakistan on Saturday, Daily Pakistan reported

Bangladesh environment fight to save trees at landmark ground

In a novel initiative to save trees at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan ground – the venue for historic rallies linked to Bangladesh’s Liberation War - environmental activists put placards with the names of freedom fighters on the trees

Pakistan demands probe into uranium seizure in India

Expressing serious concern over uranium seizure from unauthorized persons in India, Pakistan on Saturday demanded a thorough investigation into the matter

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to strengthen “upward trajectory” in bilateral ties

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have affirmed their commitment to fortify the "upward trajectory" in bilateral ties, according to a communiqué on Saturday, Tribune reported

Pakistan's Punjab government imposes complete lockdown

Pakistan's Punjab government has decided to impose a complete lockdown in the province from May 8 to 15 in line with the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) decision to restrict movement of people during the Eid holidays amid rising COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 stings Pakistan: 120 fresh deaths recorded

Pakistan has reported 120 fresh deaths related to COVID-19, taking the death toll due to the deadly virus to 18,797, media reports said