Sri Lanka

According to official data from the Ministry of Finance, China is followed by Japan at 32% and India at 10%. The International Monetary Fund wants an agreement with the creditors to grant the short-term aid needed to tackle the crisis that has brought the country to its knees. Beijing would like to provide new loans rather than waive debt, for fear that other borrowers of Belt and Road Initiative loans will demand the same treatment.

Some were later released on bail but the organization's leader and two well-known Buddhist monks will be questioned. The demonstration was peaceful but police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. United Nations critical of government.

After a series of arrests, activists left Colombo’s Galle Face Green urban park of their own accord. Some say they need to change strategy against Ranil Wickremesinghe. Meanwhile, the new president is accused of violence and torture in connection with anti-communist crackdown of 1988 and 1989.

The country’s economic crisis is driving people into the hands of traffickers. The journey to the Australian coast can take up to 21 days, cost up US$ 4,000, and is full of dangers. Some of those who want to leave tell their story.

Protesters file petitions with the Court of Appeal against police orders. The main leaders of the grassroot unrest have been arrested. Many ordinary Sri Lankans cannot trust Wickremesinghe, since his government is unable to understand their suffering.

The vessel is set to arrive on 11 August; India is none too pleased, afraid that China is using Sri Lanka as a military outpost. Chinese-built ports within the Belt and Road Initiative are the main target. China and India are Sri Lanka’s main creditors at a time when the island nation is struggling with an unprecedented economic crisis.

The authorities raid the parish church of Fr Jeewantha Peiris, who backed the protest movement in Colombo. The clergyman has been banned from leaving the country for allegedly participating in “illegal gatherings and damaging public property”. Arrests and intimidation against activists and journalists continue. For the Christian Solidarity Movement, peaceful dissent is essential to solve the current crisis.

Newly appointed Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has been tasked with coordinating consultations with political parties. President Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke to parliament after his election, urging MPs to join forces to change the system. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will work together on the basis of the proposals put forward.

The capital's archbishop says Wickremesinghe violated the fundamental rights of anti-government protesters, who were badly beaten by Security Forces. Civil society calls for an independent and transparent investigation, as well as the resignation of the head of state. Lawyers and journalists arrested.

Overnight raid with charges and 9 arrests at the garrison in front of the presidential secretariat occupied for more than 100 days. The show of force despite the fact that the activists - also opposed to the election of the new head of state - had already announced their intention to leave. Those arrested include protest leader and lawyer Nuwan Bogape.

Protesters plan to continue their struggle. For Fr Jeevantha Peiris, “we are not going to move from here”; instead, “Only a change of system can bring change”. For his part, the new president threatens to use force against protesters.

Parliament elected the new head of state this morning with 134 votes. The veteran politician has a few friends among ordinary Sri Lankans who reproach him for his ties to the Rajapaksa family. The main opposition candidate, Dullas Alahapperume, won only 82 votes.