This week, China is throwing a huge party to celebrate one of its biggest experiments in engaging with the world: its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Officials and leaders from all over the globe are in Beijing to attend a high-level summit marking the BRI’s 10th anniversary. Participants expected to show up range from Vladimir […]

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board has suspended the Russian Olympic Committee “with immediate effect until further notice”. The move comes after the ROC recognised regional organisations from four Ukrainian territories illegally annexed by Russia

Militant group Hamas could very well have ‘bitten off more than it could chew.’ Hamas’ ongoing morbidly bloody and dramatic military onslaught on Israeli territory bordering the Gaza strip is by any standard daring but isn’t it more foolhardy than bold and courageous? The more seasoned Middle East commentator could not be faulted for raising […]

Oil prices have jumped on concerns that the situation in Israel and Gaza could disrupt output from the Middle East. Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed by $2.25 a barrel to $86.83, while US prices also rose. Israel and Palestinian territories are not oil producers but the Middle Eastern region accounts for almost a third […]

Thursday 21st September, 2023 The recent killing of a prominent Sikh activist named Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada, has triggered a diplomatic row between Ottawa and New Delhi. Canada lost no time in ordering an Indian diplomat out of the country, accusing India of having had a hand in the assassination. Denying Canada’s allegation, New […]

Russia could very well be questioning the legitimacy of the UN system by currently challenging the right of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to arbitrate in the conflicting accusations of genocide brought against each other by it and Ukraine. Russia has countered Ukraine’s charge

The Russian Federation has handed over a consignment of sunflower oil to Sri Lanka, in an emergency operation to support those affected by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka announced.

Sri Lanka has received a stock of 352 tons of sunflower oil from Russia. The stock was received in line with the World Food Programme (WFP) project meant to assist Sri Lanka. Addressing the gathering at Veyangoda grain store, Russian Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan said that one of the purposes

The G20 joint declaration in Delhi is being described as a significant diplomatic win for India. The agreement of a joint statement looked almost impossible a few days ago, given how sharply divided the group was over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the end, we had a declaration

India has been greatly sensitive to the needs of its valued neighbour, Sri Lanka, during their tough times, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. In an exclusive interview with PTI late last week, the PM said the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable, a joint initiative of the IMF, World Bank and the G20 Presidency was launched […]

By Y P Prakash India’s Strategic Lunar Missions Contrast with Sri Lanka’s Costly Ventures and Underutilized Infrastructure, Highlighting Investment Priorities and Technological Futures Over the course of several years, the investment in India’s space exploration missions has seen both accomplishments and financial considerations. In 2008, the pioneering Chandrayaan-1 mission was ...

As matters stand, the West could be described as having further strengthened its defenses against what has come to be seen as the proliferation of China’s global influence and power. The proof of this is the consolidation of the US’ links with its principal Asian allies: Japan and South Korea. Subsequent to meeting Japanese Prime […]

Thuesday 22nd August, 2023 No sooner had the Indian government announced its decision to impose a 40% tax on onion exports to overcome a shortfall in the domestic supply than Sri Lankan traders jacked up onion prices exponentially. They would not have reacted so swiftly to a drop in onion prices in the international market. […]

During the question-and-answer session, Dr. Dushni Weerakoon questioned the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s non-aligned foreign policy, as it weakened the country’s position in trade negotiations. The expert assertion was certainly not restricted to trade negotiations. Having signed ACSA (Access and Cross Servicing-Agreement) with the US, in August 2017, it would be ridiculous to still talk […...

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has arrived in Jeddah to participate in a summit of national security advisers and other officials being hosted by Saudi Arabia on Saturday to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Doval was welcomed at the Jeddah Airport by Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

by Rajan Philips PAKISTAN’S twisted political saga continues without the slightest deviation from a tired and predictable script. PTI chairman Imran Khan has been found guilty of “corrupt practices”, disqualified from representing the people of Pakistan, fined Rs100,000, and sentenced to three years in jail for good measure. Dawn (Pakistan Daily), August 6 Editorial The […]