The Latest Breaking News from Dinuka Liyanawatte

Sri Lanka's prime minister says he will slash expenditure in new budget

Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday he will present an interim budget within six weeks, slashing infrastructure projects to re-route funds into a two-year relief programme for the crisis-hit island nation.

Reuters · May 24, 2022

Long fuel queues persist in Sri Lanka despite scramble to deliver supplies

Long queues snaked around gas stations in Sri Lanka's commercial capital and its outskirts on Monday even though the island nation's government was scrambling to deliver fuel supplies and douse any unrest as it battles a devastating economic crisis.

Reuters · May 23, 2022

Sri Lanka president warns of ‘racial disharmony’, curfew extended

Sporadic violence and arson continues on island, with security forces ordered to shoot people damaging public property.

Al Jazeera · May 11, 2022

‘First in four decades’: Why Sri Lanka general strike matters

Analysts say Thursday’s nationwide strike was the first since a similar call given by the island’s trade unions in 1980.

Al Jazeera · Apr 29, 2022

Sri Lanka teachers, bank workers join mass walkout over economic crisis

Many schools in Colombo were shut and several train stations deserted on Thursday as teachers and train drivers joined mass walkouts demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government quit over Sri Lanka's worst financial crisis in decades.

Reuters · Apr 28, 2022

China's bid for influence in Asia does not stop with Solomon Islands. This is how Beijing gained a foothold in Sri Lanka

While Australian and US officials express shock and disappointment over Beijing's deal with Solomon Islands, China has been making diplomatic and economic inroads across the region for years.

ABC News · Apr 21, 2022

Thousands of Sri Lankans celebrate New Year at anti-government protest site

At an auspicious time early on Thursday, Dilani Jayaratne lit a small wood fire to boil a small pot of milk to mark the start of Sri Lanka's New Year.

Reuters · Apr 14, 2022

Sri Lanka on the Brink

How the Pandemic and War in Ukraine Led to Economic Collapse

Foreign Affairs · Apr 14, 2022

Sri Lankans set up protest camp, vow to stay till Rajapaksa quits

As protesters dig in for a long haul, tents come up outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s office in Colombo.

Al Jazeera · Apr 13, 2022

Sri Lanka PM offers protesters talks as opposition eyes no-confidence vote

Sri Lanka's prime minister offered talks on Wednesday with protesters calling for the government to step down over its handling of an economic crisis as the opposition threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against it in parliament.

Reuters · Apr 13, 2022