The largest foreign investment in the history of Sri Lanka has been on hold since the start of the year. Differences between the government over local market share have stopped the Sinopec project in Hambantota. The economic recovery plan has raised fears that it will damage the country’s oil sector and energy security.

The Pakistani government has decided to strengthen alternative justice mechanisms in the tribal province on the border with Afghanistan, promoting the traditional jirga system and integrating it into the national legal framework. In the past, relations with the provincial administration had been tense after the latter tried to independently involve the Afghan Taliban in security talks. Meanwhile, attacks continue in the region.

The government ban comes into force tomorrow. Children under 16 are banned from begging, street trading and domestic work, while dangerous work is off-limits to those aged 16 to 18. Minister Jayatissa cites the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children are 30 per cent of the Sri Lankan population. Poverty, migration and poor education are the main causes of exploitation.

At the end of the summit of defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, India refused to sign the joint statement, complaining of the lack of a clear condemnation of Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism in the wake of the attack in Kashmir on 22 April. The armed clash between the two neighbours in early May opened a new phase of mutual accusations, but for now it is Pakistan that is reaping the benefits internationally.

In recent days, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, visited the island. Meetings were held with religious leaders, politicians and civil society figures. The issue of internal ‘accountability’ and the creation of an independent prosecutor to shed light on past abuses. The story of over a hundred Rohingya adrift off the north coast.

On the International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Bangladesh Rehabilitation and Assistance Center for Addicts – founded by the Brothers of the Holy Cross and supported by Caritas – received a new award for the quality of its services. For Director Brother Gomes, “stricter measures against trafficking” and psychological support for young people are needed. Rising addiction rates are setting off alarm bells in the country.