Politics

Bangladesh, Taiwan, South Korea and Sri Lanka are also set to go to the polls next year, while Asia's focus will shift to the U.S. Presidential race later in 2024. (Photo by Ken KobayashI)
Asia Insight

From India and Pakistan to Indonesia, Asia set for election-packed 2024

Over a billion people will be voting but democracy questions cloud some races

26 December 2023
An Israeli volunteer walks with a weapon as he helps farmers from Kibbutz Be'eri, one of the communities attacked by Hamas.
Middle East crisis

Sri Lanka's dispatch of workers to Israel farms sows controversy

Muslim politicians urge rethink amid concerns over safety and ethics

11 December 2023
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who doubles as finance minister, presents the 2024 budget to Parliament in Colombo on Nov. 13. (President Media/handout via Reuters)
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's election-year budget straddles line between IMF and voters

2024 plan praised for 'sticking to reform,' criticized for apparent contradictions

14 November 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden, pictured here at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022, will meet on Nov. 15 in San Francisco for the first time in a year.
Your Week in Asia

Sri Lanka budget, Xi-Biden summit, Japan Q3 GDP

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

12 November 2023
A market in Colombo on Oct. 20. Sri Lanka's government is due to present next year's budget in mid-November.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka leans on IMF and China as crucial budget test looms

President Wickremesinghe faces growing public frustration ahead of elections

26 October 2023
A man uses a mobile phone in Colombo in 2020: Sri Lanka's government is pushing an Online Safety Bill that it says will "promote responsible utilization" of internet platforms.
Politics

Sri Lankans warn of legislative curbs on dissent as elections loom

Government cites public safety in pushing online regulation, terrorism laws

8 October 2023
Sri Lanka's debt negotiations with China are seen as a sticking point holding up arrangements with other creditors, as the bankrupt South Asian country seeks to unlock more support from the International Monetary Fund. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) 
Sri Lanka crisis

China keeps Sri Lanka in debt grip, stalling IMF relief

Failed bailout review raises stakes of Wickremesinghe's upcoming trip to Beijing

3 October 2023
Family members pay respects at the grave of a victim of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, next to St. Sebastian's Church, one of the attacked churches, in Katuwapitiya, Sri Lanka, on April 21, 2021.
Politics

Sri Lanka's Catholics 'can't accept' new Easter bombing inquiries

Critics question independence of probes examining alleged Rajapaksa links

13 September 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appears at Government House after a royal audience ceremony to swear the oath of allegiance in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Your Week in Asia

Thai PM's policy speech, Apple's new products, Belt and Road summit

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

10 September 2023
Stream article image
Most read in 2023

China's Belt and Road at crossroads as more loans turn sour

10 years in, Beijing enjoys greater clout but new investments trend down

7 September 2023
Sri Lankan police patrol at the official residence of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July 2022, after it was stormed by protesters. The sign reads "Let's fight against corrupt exploitative economic system!" -- illustrating anger over widespread alleged corruption.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's looming IMF review spotlights anti-corruption drive

New law addresses some problems, but critics question enforcement

27 August 2023
The main port in Colombo in June 2023: Sri Lanka's former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa abruptly canceled two multimillion-dollar projects backed by Tokyo.
International relations

Sri Lanka, Maldives see Japan wade into Indian Ocean contest

Foreign Minister Hayashi's visits to key nations show 'alternative' to China

28 July 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, welcomes Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on July 21.
International relations

India, Sri Lanka to study petroleum pipeline and bridge

Modi promises support as Wickremesinghe visits on first anniversary as president

21 July 2023
A line at an ATM in Colombo: Sri Lanka's government has assured depositors that they will not be affected by domestic debt restructuring, as it looks to cushion the impact on the banking sector.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka domestic debt restructuring plan aims to shield banks

Creditors monitoring proposal headed for parliament after cabinet approval

29 June 2023
Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned against a new cold war at the Future of Asia forum in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
The Future of Asia 2023

Asian leaders home in on economic security in face of U.S.-China rift

Future of Asia speakers welcome 'de-risking' and urge return to multilateralism

26 May 2023
Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
The Future of Asia 2023

Thai deputy PM: Asia should do itself a favor, unite against war

Geopolitical tensions loom as leaders gather at Nikkei's Future of Asia forum

25 May 2023
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on May 25. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
The Future of Asia 2023

Sri Lanka will apply to join RCEP trade bloc, Wickremesinghe says

President says Asian countries resisting pressure to take sides between U.S., China

25 May 2023
A man fills gas into a vehicle at a fuel station in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The country's external debt had grown to over $35 billion amid a struggling economy. 
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka's creditors hold 1st meeting, with China as observer

Japan and other creditors vow to press Beijing to join as full participant

10 May 2023
Supporters of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe watch him speak in parliament at a party office in Colombo on March 22.
Sri Lanka crisis

Sri Lanka president declares 'new journey' as first IMF cash arrives

Wickremesinghe vows more reforms but experts wary of 'Band-Aid' fixes

22 March 2023
A man carries a sack of vegetables at a main market in Colombo.
Sri Lanka crisis

China relents on Sri Lanka debt, paving way for bailout

Beijing eyes opportunity to extend clout over Global South

9 March 2023
Sri Lankan port workers protest against an income tax increase in Colombo on March 1, 2023. About a year after economic frustration ignited a popular uprising that forced a change of government, citizens are still feeling the strain.
Asia Insight

Sri Lanka says IMF aid in reach after year of anger, hunger and fear

President hints new China letter will seal deal; local elections in focus

7 March 2023
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen holds a news conference as G-20 finance leaders gather on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, on Feb. 23.
International relations

Yellen to press China on Sri Lanka debt, Russia sanctions at G-20

In India, U.S. Treasury chief urges more aid for Ukraine against 'brutal assault'

24 February 2023
Laborers carry sacks of flour in the main market of Colombo in November. Sri Lanka is seeking to finalize a $2.9 billion bailout from the IMF.
Sri Lanka crisis

IMF confirms India assurances on Sri Lanka debt needed for bailout

Fund 'engaged' with other creditors for similar pledge as all eyes turn to China

24 January 2023
Rohingya refugees on a navy vessel headed to the Bangladeshi island of Bhasan Char in 2020.
Myanmar Crisis

At least 180 Rohingya feared dead: U.N. refugee agency

'Unseaworthy' boat that left Bangladesh has likely sunk, UNHCR says

26 December 2022
A food vendor at Galle Face Green in Colombo: Sri Lanka needs to unlock $2.9 billion in funding from the International Monetary Fund, as a first step toward climbing out of bankruptcy.
Sri Lanka crisis

Bankrupt Sri Lanka holds breath for Paris Club's China overture

Five things to know about wealthy group's role in Colombo debt relief

16 December 2022