Sri Lanka

by Arundathie Abeysinghe | SRI LANKA

There are 300 manufacturing companies that employ 350 thousand workers and produce garments for dozens of major international brands. Trade unions: the companies 'have also closed entire facilities without even paying the paltry compensation recommended by the government'. The industry accounts for more than 50 per cent of total national export revenue.

by Melani Manel Perera

Katchchateevu Island hosted celebrations over the weekend with more than 2,000 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu. The auxiliary bishop of Colombo led the Mass along with Vicar General Rev Anton Ranjith Pillainayagam.

| 06/03/2023
| SRI LANKA
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe tried to stop labour action by labelling transport services as essential. Some analysts believe work stoppage failed because many employees went to work for fear of losing their job. Trade unions now threaten a broader strike, affecting all sectors.

| 01/03/2023
| SRI LANKA
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

The proposal was put forward by the Fisheries Minister as a solution to illegal activities. Trawling by fishermen in Tamil Nadu has a strong environmental impact on fish stocks. Sri Lankan fishermen feel that the government is buckling under Indian pressure.

| 28/02/2023
| SRI LANKA
by Melani Manel Perera

According to the opposition, the government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe is attempting to postpone the vote to prevent the difference between the executive and popular preferences from emerging. Yesterday, agents used tear gas and water cannons, at least 30 people ended up in hospital.

| 27/02/2023
| SRI LANKA
by Melani Manel Perera

The government has not yet allocated funds to print ballots for the 9 March vote, arguing the country cannot afford it. While a ruling by the Supreme Court is expected tomorrow, tensions rise in the country. The opposition accuses Wickremesinghe of trying to prevent the collapse of Rajapaksa's party, which backs him in parliament.

| 22/02/2023
| SRI LANKA

On 19-21 November, economists and entrepreneurs under 35 from around the world will meet online. More than 40 countries will be connected, with live streaming from Assisi. Some 2,000 people have registered with at least 12 link-ups to 115 countries, four hours a day plus a 24-hour marathon on the second day, and contributions from more than 20 countries.

| 27/10/2020
| VATICAN
Editor's choices
 
This is the government's likely response to the effects of the rapidly aging population on the welfare system. Survey: 74% of respondents want retirement under 55; only 6% accept it over 61. Reform to raise the retirement age to 65 under consideration: ...
| 18/03/2023
| CHINA
 
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| 15/03/2023
| AFGHANISTAN - RWANDA
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
The text was officially made public today. It contains the reflections of Asian Bishops' Conferences brought to the assembly held last October in the Thai capital. Nine emerging challenges have been identified in Asian societies, from the role of ...
| 15/03/2023
| ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
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| 15/03/2023
| TURKEY
 
From Korea to Kazakhstan, from the victims of Typhoon Yolanda to the Rohingya, from Mother Teresa to Matteo Ricci, Pope Francis has paid constant attention to Asia over the past ten years. On the tenth anniversary of his election we present ten excerpts ...
| 12/03/2023
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
Raised in the Catholic community in Shek Lei, Tang currently serves as secretary general of the International Domestic Workers Federation. She moved to the UK in September 2021, but recently travelled to Hong Kong to visit her husband who has been in ...
| 09/03/2023
| HONG KONG – CHINA
 
As people avoid going out and travelling, the local market place lies empty. Many fear “worse days ahead " amid the prevailing "pessimism”. Given the current political situation, hope for a just peace is virtually nil. Christians are "part ...
| 03/03/2023
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
by Steve Suwannarat
Accused of conspiring with foreign forces, for the chair of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, he was convicted in “An act of sheer vindictiveness by the Hun Sen regime.” The upcoming Cambodian elections in July, the first without ...
| 03/03/2023
| CAMBODIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”