Sri Lanka

Construction work has begun in Puttalam, at an archaeological site rich in valuable plant and animal remains dating back to the Miocene epoch, millions of years ago. A venue dedicated to education and research, but also an opportunity for economic development in Sri Lanka’s North-Western Province.

Buddhist monks and farm workers are taking to the fields to defend the rights of livestock farmers in the disputed area of the Eastern Province. The land has come under the scrutiny of rice farmers. In 1974, the area was designated a ‘grazing area’, partly to ensure the balance of the ecosystem. Converting the land would also deprive elephants of their habitat, raising the risk of attacks on villages.

The death toll from the unrest triggered by overcrowding has risen to at least 29 (including seven officers) with over a hundred injured. Prisoners were transferred and attacked. Mothers are demanding the return of the bodies and criticising the authorities for arresting their sons “on false charges”. Behind the prison crisis lies a system that rewards police officers and officials based on the number of arrests made.

Clashes among inmates and the subsequent action by security forces have left several dead and more than a hundred injured in the prison, which is about 35 kilometres from the Sri Lankan capital. The tragedy reignites the debate over the conditions in the country’s prisons, which have been characterised by chronic overcrowding for years.

The Pettah market is in a state of neglect. Opened in 2014 with 70 shops, the tourist spot now has dilapidated stalls, sunken boats, a flood of garbage in Beira Lake, and marginalised people. "We are disappointed,” tourists told AsiaNews. Former retailers lament the authorities' negligence.

A move linked to the aim of reducing transaction costs and easing the pressure on foreign exchange reserves. New provisions have also been introduced to allow Indian companies to invest in Sri Lanka using their own currency. However, practical issues remain to be resolved.

The remains of more than 400 people have been exhumed at Chemmani, more than in Sathosa (Mannar). A delegation led by the Minister of Justice visited the site, reiterating that everything about the findings will be made public. Experts and activists are concerned about the lack of forensic analysis and information available to the public.

There have already been 24 deaths in the country since the start of the year, with children particularly at risk from the disease. The Colombo district has the highest number of cases. The government has launched a week-long prevention campaign, including initiatives to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

The new sustainability rules are causing difficulties for many local exporters. The European Union is the largest market for the textile industry. From September, companies will have to comply with requirements across the entire supply chain: firms are being called upon to invest in certifications, carbon footprint monitoring and packaging reviews.

Services have been cut by 50% due to protests within the sector. The discontent is fuelled by rising costs and the government’s failure to grant fare concessions. 25% of vehicles had already voluntarily ceased operations earlier due to financial difficulties. The crisis for commuters, who describe the operators’ decision as “a severe blow”.

The eleven victims, who disappeared between 2008 and 2009, belonged to various communities, including Tamils and Muslims. According to investigators, they were abducted by a secret naval intelligence unit and detained at the “Gun Site” on the Trincomalee base before being killed. The parents of Dillan, one of the victims, told AsiaNews: “A case deliberately covered up for many years to protect senior officers. Now the government must press ahead with justice”:

The reopened investigations into the attacks on churches and hotels that killed over 270 people have now directly implicated the former president, who returned to power just a few months after the bombings. The former head of intelligence has been in prison for three months on charges of having ‘used’ Islamists to upset the country’s political balance.