Politics

Port City Colombo, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, has given Sri Lanka hope that the project will eventually grow into "South Asia's premier residential, retail and business destination." (Photo courtesy of CHEC Port City Colombo)
Belt and Road

China grips Sri Lanka with artificial island off Colombo

Development and legal framework draw 'one country, two systems' comparison

12 December 2019
An elephant walks past tourist safari jeeps at Kaudulla national park in Habarana, Sri Lanka, on Aug. 6, 2019.
Economy

Sri Lanka awaits winter tourists to revive terror-hit sector

Some flights resume, bringing hope of earlier-than-expected recovery

6 December 2019
© Illustration by Hiroko Oshima/Michael Tsang
Asia Insight

Nepal's territorial flare-ups with India and China test its finesse

Public outcries imperil Himalayan nation's development strategy

3 December 2019
Railway tracks in Karachi
Opinion

Pakistan says railways on track to success

Upgrade of 1,900 km of railway has 'tremendous momentum'

29 November 2019
A recent speech by a U.S. diplomat marked the first time a high-ranking U.S. government official had launched a direct and comprehensive attack on CPEC. (Source photo by AP)
Belt and Road

US attack on China's Belt and Road puts Pakistan in tough spot

Islamabad sides with Beijing over CPEC but keeps response measured

28 November 2019
People wait to check if their names are included in the National Register of Citizens at a draft center in Mayoung, India, pictured in July 2018: migration from Bangladesh has become politically explosive in India.
Opinion

China and India must address causes of migration to stop human traffic

Larger Asian countries are closing their borders, just like West and Gulf states

25 November 2019
India's light combat aircraft Tejas lands at an airbase on the outskirts of New Delhi in October. The fighter is claimed to be a good choice to upgrade Malaysia's air force.
Politics

Malaysia considers purchase of Indian jet fighters

Kashmir tensions fail to stymie trade as Kuala Lumpur looks to upgrade air force

24 November 2019
Pakistan's moves to free itself from the current CPEC inertia come as China has turned chilly toward the series of big infrastructure projects. (Nikkeimontage/Reuters/Getty Images)
Belt and Road

Pakistan seeks Iran, Saudi help for Belt and Road projects

Beijing-friendly minister hired as Islamabad scrambles to revive momentum

23 November 2019
Sri Lankans rally after voting in the presidential election in Colombo on Nov. 16. India fears Chinese influence may once again surge in Sri Lanka.
International relations

India seeks to contain China presence in new Sri Lanka government

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to steer between big global powers, experts say

22 November 2019
Mahinda Rajapaksa, left, and brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa wave to supporters during a party convention earlier this year in Colombo.
Politics

Sri Lankan president to name pro-China brother prime minister

Rajapaksa clan's return to power provides boost for Beijing

21 November 2019
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's new president, addresses the nation, at his swearing-in ceremony in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, on Monday.
Politics

Sri Lanka's new 'Terminator' president polarizes nation

Gotabaya Rajapaksa win heralds shift toward strongman rule and closer China ties

18 November 2019
Special Task Force soldiers stand guard as supporters of Sri Lankan President-elect Gotabaya Rajapaksa celebrate in Colombo on Nov. 17.
Opinion

South Asia's turn to illiberal democracy

In Sri Lanka, the Rajapaksa brothers' return confirms region's autocratic drift

18 November 2019
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a tough-talking former defense secretary, campaigned on promises to restore discipline and strengthen national security.
Politics

Military hawk Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins Sri Lanka election

Vote paves way for pro-China clan to return to power

17 November 2019
Sri Lanka's presidential candidates Sajith Premadasa, left, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa: This year's elections come at a pivotal time for the strategically located nation. (Source Photo by Nikkei/Reuters)
Politics

Five things to know about Sri Lanka's presidential election

Nation at a crossroads as pro-Beijing faction seeks a return to power

15 November 2019
Sri Lanka plans a $500 million samurai bond issue, hoping to shore up its depleted foreign reserves and keep its economy ticking over.
International relations

Debt-heavy Sri Lanka seeks Japan's help and prepares samurai bond

Slow growth an obstacle for economy as IMF bailout conditions dent consumption

13 November 2019
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, right in a red shirt, is seen as proxy of his brother Mahinda, left.
Opinion

Tilt toward China is at stake in Sri Lanka's presidential election

Candidates' foreign policy platforms have sharply different economic consequences

13 November 2019
Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanka's presidential candidate of the New Democratic Front, an alliance led by the United National Party, thinks the country's youth hold the key to his election success. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Politics

Sri Lanka presidential candidate eyes youth to beat pro-China rival

Moderate Premadasa takes to social media as Nov. 16 election nears

10 November 2019
A railway worker in Karachi: China is becoming wary of pouring more money into projects in economically unstable Pakistan.
Belt and Road

China's mood chills on new Belt and Road projects in Pakistan

Cautious amid economic crisis, Beijing defers oil, gas and steel offers

10 November 2019
Pakistan has sold 16 JF-17 fighters, built with China's help, to Myanmar and three to Nigeria.
Politics

With China as its mentor, Pakistan triples arms exports

Islamabad pitches its weapons to budget-minded countries like Turkey and Myanmar

9 November 2019
A Sri Lankan muslim woman walks past a mosque in Colombo. Sri Lanka's madrassas have come under scrutiny after Sri Lankan nationals who claimed links to Islamic State carried out coordinated suicide bombings on Easter Sunday that killed more than 250 people.
Politics

Sri Lankan Muslims pressured to curb rise of extremism

Religious schools and communities relieved by IS leader's death

7 November 2019
An aircraft from India's Alliance Air touches down at Jaffna International Airport on Oct. 17. The flight was part of a ceremony inaugurating the country's third international airport. (Photo by Ishara S. Kodikara)
International relations

Sri Lanka plays its India hand with airport upgrade as poll nears

Pro-China opposition decries pork-barrel politics ahead of presidential election

6 November 2019
Nearly five years after a humiliating defeat, the Rajapaksa clan gears up for a return. 
The Big Story

Divide and conquer: Sri Lankan strongman plots an election return

Pro-China, populist Rajapaksa family looks to lead the debt-burdened nation

30 October 2019
"We want to be here ... for the long term," say the new Chinese-Sri Lankan joint-venture operators of Hambantota Port. (Photo courtesy of Hambantota International Port Group)
The Big Story

Sri Lanka's 'debt trap' port thriving, Chinese owners claim

Seen as an emblem of Beijing's expansionist goals, business is picking up in Hambantota

30 October 2019
Mahinda, left, and presidential candidate Gotabaya side by side at a campaign event: Although Gotabaya is the one running for office, his brother has been ever-present on the campaign trail.
30 October 2019
Bangladesh has shown interest in buying Apache attack helicopters, such as those shown here, and unspecified missile systems.
Politics

Bangladesh in talks with US to buy Apaches and missiles

Despite long China ties, Dhaka seeks Washington's help with military upgrade

29 October 2019