Sri Lanka

Protesters carry traditional kerosene lanterns during a demonstration against fuel price increases in Dhaka. Kerosene now costs the equivalent of about $1.20 per liter, versus 84 cents before hikes on several types of fuel. (Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu)
Politics

Bangladesh anger over fuel prices echoes Sri Lanka, Pakistan

Political pressure mounts as nation joins neighbors in seeking IMF aid

17 August 2022
China's Yuan Wang 5 survey ship arrives at the port in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, on Aug. 16. The vessel's port call was delayed after India raised objections over apparent security concerns.
Sri Lanka crisis

China 'spy ship' docks in Sri Lanka, India gifts surveillance plane

Vessel's controversial visit exposes big powers' tug of war over bankrupt island

16 August 2022
A doctor prepares to inspect a patient in Colombo: Medical professionals have been sounding the alarm for months over shortages of life-saving drugs and equipment.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka health chief downplays drug shortage as doctors fret

'We can't go on like this,' says medical union spokesman

13 August 2022
A flight deck director at Bandaranaike International Airport. Also known as Colombo Airport, it serves as the main international airport for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka crisis: Japan's Taisei seeks halt to airport expansion

Project's fate in limbo as economic, political turmoil disrupt funding

13 August 2022
Perumal with her daughters, Anushika, 2, and Sivanathan, 9, at their home in rural Sri Lanka. Perumal's husband is ill and has not been able to work for years, making her the family's sole breadwinner.
Life

Sri Lanka crisis threatens food security for millions

Economic woes hit hardest at women and children from poor households

10 August 2022
Sri Lankans wait for fuel rations at a gas station in Colombo. Some have resorted to selling on the black market to those who are willing and able to pay more. (Photo by Kanika Gupta)
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's black market for fuel churns alongside mileslong lines

Authorities clamp down as some ask, 'How else will we feed our families?'

9 August 2022
The Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese research and surveillance ship with satellite tracking equipment, is seen during a 2016 visit to New Zealand. Plans to dock the ship in Sri Lanka this month have raised concerns in India.
International relations

Sri Lanka caught between China and India over Beijing's 'spy ship'

Desperate for both powers' help, Colombo reportedly seeks to 'defer' vessel's visit

6 August 2022
Jaya Container Terminal in Colombo: The government should look to list shares of profitable state companies such as the Sri Lanka Ports Authority on the local stock exchange to draw foreign capital. (Photo from Sri Lanka Ports Authority's home page)  
Opinion

Asian financial crisis lessons offer recovery path for Sri Lanka

Smart policies can help rebuild energy supplies, protect banks and draw capital

2 August 2022
Sri Lanka's newly elected president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaks to the media in Colombo on July 20. 
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's new president: Can 'the fox' defy skeptics?

Wickremesinghe has outmaneuvered rivals -- now comes the hard part

1 August 2022
A man pushes an out-of-gas autorickshaw in Colombo on July 27: Sri Lanka is looking to China and others to ease the economic crisis that has resulted in dire shortages of fuel and other essentials.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka hopes for $4bn in China aid 'soon' as envoy defends ties

Ambassador insists Beijing is supportive; new president extends protest clampdown

28 July 2022
People wait to collect their passports at Sri Lanka's Immigration and Emigration Department in June. Issuances in 2022 have already topped the full-year figure for 2021.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lankans chase foreign jobs to help families survive inflation

Passport issuances jump as weak rupee offers chance to maximize remittances

26 July 2022
Security personnel stand guard near Sri Lanka's presidential secretariat in Colombo after a raid on an anti-government protest camp early on July 22.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka crackdown overshadows new PM's swearing-in

Fears of more clashes as president picks Rajapaksa ally Gunawardena for premier

22 July 2022
New Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken office in the midst of a deep economic crisis.
Sri Lanka crisis

How much does Sri Lanka owe China? Question looms over new president

Broad measure puts Beijing's share at 20% of national total, above official data

22 July 2022
Ranil Wickremesinghe, center, Sri Lanka's new president, leaves a Buddhist temple on July 20 as he prepares to attempt to solve the country's economic crisis.
Sri Lanka crisis

Meet Wickremesinghe: Sri Lankan president sworn in as doubts swirl

'Man with no mandate' faces Asia's toughest economic challenge

21 July 2022
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has won a parliament vote to become the country's president.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's Wickremesinghe elected president after Rajapaksa exit

Security tight as six-time PM has already faced heavy pressure from protesters

20 July 2022
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva: "The moment there is a government that we can continue our discussions with, our team will be there." (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
Sri Lanka crisis

IMF hopes to complete Sri Lanka aid talks 'as quickly as possible'

Georgieva says global outlook to be downgraded as recession risk 'has gone up'

20 July 2022
A protester waves the Sri Lankan flag outside then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's office in Colombo on July 13. With the post now vacant, an election is to be held on July 20.
Your Week in Asia

Sri Lanka elects new president, Japan CPI, Thailand no-confidence vote

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

17 July 2022
Dawn breaks over Sri Lanka's blockaded presidential secretariat in Colombo on the morning of July 15, when President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's long-awaited resignation became official.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka eyes Rajapaksa successor: 5 things about life after Gota

Experts warn next leader faces 'mammoth task' but must restore stability

15 July 2022
Sri Lankan military officers stand guard after protesters vacated President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence on July 14, saying they would let parliament seek a solution to the president's unfinished resignation.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa jets to Singapore, emails resignation

City-state says president has been granted entry but not asylum

15 July 2022
Tear gas rises as demonstrators gather outside the Colombo office of Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on July 13.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka rages at PM after President Rajapaksa flees to Maldives

With 'Terminator' gone, Wickremesinghe declares emergency as acting president

13 July 2022
Auto rickshaw drivers line up to buy gas near a fuel station in Colombo on April 13: A forewarning that more vulnerable countries could go bust.
Opinion

Ukraine war hastens Sri Lanka's economic meltdown

Impact of Russian sanctions likely to be felt by a string of poorer nations

13 July 2022
A shortage of kerosene has robbed Sri Lankan fishermen of their livelihoods. (Photo by Prabhu Mallikarjunan)
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lankan fishermen, lacking fuel, stew over India's intentions

As incomes dry up amid political chaos, simmering territorial dispute rears head

11 July 2022
Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2021. 
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa to resign Wednesday: parliament speaker

'Unprecedented' unrest the final straw after months of economic turmoil

10 July 2022
Anti-government protesters march down the street at Colombo's Galle Face Green park on May 28. (Getty Images)
Tea Leaves

Sri Lanka shows how places of protest shape new generation

Galle Face Green becomes symbol of hope amid economic despair

6 July 2022
A man pushes a three-wheeled scooter in Colombo on June 27 as Sri Lanka staggers under fuel shortages and and an economic crisis.
Sri Lanka crisis

IMF sees 'progress' in Sri Lanka as visit ends, fuel crisis deepens

As U.S., India and others reach out, officials go abroad in search of more help

30 June 2022