Apps offering money to farmers and vulnerable people in difficulty are rife across the island, concealing draconian terms. In March, parliament had approved ad hoc legislation intended to tackle the phenomenon, but the necessary implementing regulation has still not been published in the Official Gazette.
According to industry insiders, recent protests have put a dent on the country’s image. To counter this, a marketing campaign has been launched to attract European tourists. Currently, some 2,000 visitors arrive in Sri Lanka every day.
Today's headlines: at least 13 Uyghurs have died, and thousands intoxicated, from disinfectants sprayed by Chinese authorities to combat Covid; Cambodia's first native bishop has been installed in Kampong Cham; the death toll in the attack in Afghanistan rises to 43; Colombo has cut taxes on women's hygiene products; In Russia sanatoriums and old people's homes reorganise, moving from pandemic to war veterans.
Cindy McCain visited the island nation for four days, meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and inspecting agricultural development projects. Washington also donated a ship to the Sri Lankan Navy. Tamil MPs call for justice in connection with the atrocities perpetrated during the civil war.
For Diana Gamage, the island can attract foreign gamblers. However, the local economy is based on fishing and agriculture, and it would be hard to introduce another development model.
In Assisi young economists and entrepreneurs meet inspired by Pope Francis’s call for a truly integral form of development. For Jena Espelita, from the Philippines, if used well, blockchain technology can become an opportunity for the poor. Sri Lankan Sohan Patrick wants his country’s economy to create the future, not just take.
Electricity costs have jumped by 555%. Monks accuse the government of keeping places of worship in the dark. In rural areas they no longer get offerings from the faithful. Other religious leaders have joined the protest.
Discussions are underway between central banks to allow Russian credit cards to operate in Sri Lanka. Last year almost 17,000 Russian tourists visited the island. The country is in economic recovery and also hopes to obtain a loan to buy fuel.
The court summoned him to appear for Oct. 14, following a complaint filed by Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando and Jesudasa Ganesan, who had her leg amputated in the attack. The former head of state faces charges of negligence for ignoring alert reports.
Activists and international institutions call for the "immediate" suspension of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pta) wanted by the Sri Lankan authorities. The denunciation on the occasion of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council. Sri Lankan religious: a law inspired by the "criterion of revenge", nothing has changed under the Wickremesinghe administration.
Some hospitals have stocks for only a few days. Imports have slowed due to the economic crisis and fuel shortages, affecting distribution to rural health facilities. The government will collect excess stocks and redistribute them as needed.
The country is on its knees from the collapse of its currency and foreign debt; yet, it spends 19 per cent of its budget on the military 13 years after the end of the country’s civil war in order to keep a heavy military presence in the north of the country. “The government and President Wickremesinghe need the military because they do not have the support of public opinion,” says Tamil lawmaker.
The deal includes US$ 2.9 billion to be disbursed over 48 months. The next steps will depend on Sri Lanka's ability to comply with the demands of the lending agency, which calls for financial transparency and a crackdown on corruption. Japan urges China and India to come together to assess Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring.
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