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

India's BSF guns down Bangladeshi in Chapainawabganj

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot a Bangladeshi national at Telkupi border area under Shibganj upazila in Chapainawabganj district early today, Tolo News said

COVID-19: 348 new positive cases reported

Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health reported 348 new positive cases of COVID-19 out of 868 samples tested in the last 24 hours. The ministry also reported seven new COVID-19 deaths and 1,833 recoveries

19 expats arrested after hostage situation in Bodufinolhu

Nineteen expatriates have been arrested after a group of expatriates held 12 locals hostage at B. Bodufinolhu on Thursday. Bodufinolhu is being developed as a resort by Seal Maldives

200 more Bangladeshi workers repatriated from Maldives

The Maldivian government, on Saturday, repatriated an additional 200 Bangladeshi workers from the country, as part of its voluntary repatriation program in collaboration with the national airline – Maldivian

India records highest one-day spike of over 22k corona cases

India on Saturday recorded the highest single-day spike of 22,771 cases, pushing the total tally to 6,48,315, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said

Oli, Dahal in bid to save ruling NCP unity in Nepal

Co-chairs of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) — Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli — held talks for three hours today but failed to iron out their differences

Nepal’s COVID-19 recovery rate sees improvement

Nepal has witnessed a relatively significant rise in the number of COVID-19 recovery cases in the last seven days, compared to the past weeks, adding a glimmer of hope as the nation as a whole grapples with the rapidly rising number of positive cases

Islamic clerics pile up pressure against construction of Hindu temple in Islamabad

Days after the groundbreaking ceremony at the land allocated for construction of a Hindu temple in Pakistan's capital, religious organisations have stepped up the pressure on the government and the capital's construction authority, prompting the authorities to stop construction work

Pakistan foreign minister tests COVID-19 positive

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi confirmed that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, but was feeling "strong and energetic"

Pakistan PM, military review security challenges

As Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday consulted his top military and intelligence aides, the possibility of an imminent conflict with India appeared to loom over Pakistan’s security agenda

President appoints committee to look into container terminals of Colombo Port

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a five-member Committee to examine and report on the concerns regarding the development of Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) and East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port, the President’s Media Division said

Over 112,000 PCR tests conducted in Sri Lanka: Ministry of Health

As of Friday (July 3) Sri Lanka has conducted more than 112,000 PCR tests, to identify COVID-19 infections, according to the Ministry of Health

India-Bangladesh border trade hit by protests

Five port users' organisations in Bangladesh have suspended import of Indian goods through Benapole land port on the border for the third day on Friday, protesting India's refusal to accept Bangladeshi-exported goods

Flood-hit areas: Thousands at risk of virus transmission

Exposed to highly contagious coronavirus, some people of the flood-hit areas in Bangladesh are now living in congested shelters and some on dykes

‘Drunk’ BSF man trespasses into Bangladesh, later returned

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel had apparently entered into Bangladesh territory in a drunken state and was later handed over to the Indian side following a flag meeting held in this connection today, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said