China s ageing population threatens key Beijing policy goals for the coming decade of boosting domestic consumption and reining in ballooning debt, posing a severe challenge to the economy s long-term growth prospects.

At a discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) stakeholder dialogue titled ‘Pulling back from the brink,’ held in Kurpark Village, Aspen, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined short-term strategies aimed at revitalizing Sri Lanka’s economy. Emphasizing tourism promotion, agricultural

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara yesterday slammed Finance Ministry officials for their failure to protect the fisheries industriy and the fishing community. Addressing a meeting held at his Ministry, Minister Nanayakkara said that as a result of lack of understanding of realities, the Finance Ministry officials had not been able to prepare a […]

Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar met President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum summit in Davos. A news story published by the Arab News said: Kakar arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to attend the 54th WEF summit, where he is scheduled to attend three thematic events and also […]

, but nothing will help revive the ailing economy and prevent […]

China s population dropped by 2 million people in 2023 in the second straight annual drop as births fell and deaths jumped after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said Wednesday.

Sajith says govt.’s impending electoral defeat cannot be reversed through constitutional means By Shamindra Ferdinando The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has urged the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government to put off the two-day debate on the proposed Online Safety Bill scheduled for January 23 and 24th. The NMSJ, led by former Yahapalana speaker Karu Jayasuriya, has […]

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles has explained the ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ operation to members of the Colombo-based diplomatic community. The Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Commission has jumped to question the government operation. The Foreign Ministry said that Minister Alles provided an update on the progress made by the special operation against drug menace and underworld […]

By M. Rodwan Abouharb Associate Professor in International Relations, UCL and Bernhard Reinsberg Reader in Politics, University of Glasgow Sri Lanka received a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in March amid soaring inflation, debt and a sovereign default. In exchange for US$3 billion (£2.4 billion), the government committed to spending cuts and tax […]

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says that Thaipongal , which is a national festival showcasing the excellence of Hindu culture that inherits an agricultural economy, embodies the core values based on peace, unity, and compassion.

by Susantha Hewa A Shramadana (collaborative work) in a village is a good example of participatory democracy in action, where it is “of the villagers, by the villagers, for the villagers”. Of course, a few would organize and lead but they don’t stand to benefit more than the others. The coordinators would get their due praise for […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his Thai Pongal day messaged urged everyone to come together with determination, akin to the unity of siblings, to realize new hopes for the country’s future. The full text of the President’s Thai Pongal message: Thai Pongal, a vibrant Hindu harvest festival celebrated by the Tamil Community worldwide, beckons us into […]

By Sanjeewa Jayaweera The headline on page one of the Sunday Island of 07 January 2024 read, “CBSL Governor urges public to become informants to boost tax revenue.” The article was based on an interview with Governor Nandala Weerasinghe (NW) hosted by the President’s Media Centre. NW is quoted to have said, “If the public […]