Sri Lanka

From April, the Sri Lankan government will introduce a 15% tax on income from the export of services, affecting freelancers and companies that work with foreign clients. The measure aims to increase tax revenue and strengthen control over foreign currency flows, but it also risks incentivising informal transactions.

An initiative in railway stations across the country to celebrate the birthday of the founder of the movement, educating people to respect public property. Their leaders tell AsiaNews: ‘We want to be an example through action. Showing that if the Scouts can do it, everyone else can too’.

In June Beijing allocated over 5 million dollars in aid, equipment and assistance. India had previously invested billions of rupees in development projects. The accusation against Indian fishermen who use trawl nets: ‘If this practice continues, there will be no more fish left in our areas in the future’.

The episcopal ordination of the new shepherd of the diocese in the north of the country took place in the national sanctuary of Madhu. The diocese has grown from the seed sown four centuries ago by its martyrs. The president of the Bishops' Conference, Monsignor Perera, expressed his hope that the new bishop “will walk with this people still so harshly marked by the consequences of the war”.

A prominent local crime boss shot in the courtroom where he had been taken from prison for a hearing. The killer disguised himself as a lawyer. The Minister of Justice has ordered armed escorts and fingerprinting for court depositions.

The accumulation of waste has reached a height of 15 meters and is located near houses, schools, restaurants and shops. It is the only storage site for non-degradable waste in the capital. Fears of an accident similar to the Meethotamulla landslide in 2017, which caused 32 deaths.

The new government's economic plan includes incentives for industry, support for workers and a commitment against corruption. These measures are necessary to obtain loans from the International Monetary Fund and ensure the country's financial stability after a long period of crisis. Northern regions will also receive investments to revive manufacturing.

Signed with then President Wickremesinghe last May, the agreement included the construction of two wind farms on Mannar Island and in the village of Pooneryn. The Dissanayake administration has pulled the plug on the project to cut costs amid the country’s ongoing economic crisis and after fraud accusations were made against the Indian billionaire. Environmentalists are happy since the project threatened fishermen and migratory birds.

The diocese of Chilaw has sent the findings of the investigation into the sanctity of the consecrated lay woman, the first servant of God of Sri Lanka, to Rome. Bishop Don Wimal Siri Jayasuriya: ‘Even without knowing how to read or write, through her participation in the suffering of Jesus she left us a divine message’.

Overcrowded carriages and delays are the order of the day. The country's infrastructure is not adequate to support modern rail traffic. 72% of locomotives are over 40 years old: concerns about safety and efficiency. The new Chinese carriages, which cost 22 million dollars, are unusable. Experts: ‘Urgent action to avoid effects on the economy and commuters’.

Hansen's disease mainly affects the eastern and western provinces. Although with multi-drug therapy (MDT) Sri Lanka has reduced cases, it remains a ‘high incidence country’. Twelve per cent of patients are under 15 years of age, most between 25 and 45. Leprosy remains associated with strong social stigmas. Health authorities emphasise the importance of early diagnosis and raising awareness.

A report by the University of Vavuniya in collaboration with The Gate Institute shows “significant gaps”, especially among the elderly, economically disadvantaged groups and women in areas affected by the country’s civil long war (1983-2009). The district of Mannar appears to have the highest connectivity rate. The potential of young people was emphasised.