All Stories in Features

EU ire could cost the country economically

EU ire could cost the country economically

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa faces his first test of diplomacy three months into his inaugural term, as he seeks to dilute the country’s postwar commitments, possibly flouting U.N. resolutions. …

3 days, 9 hours ago by 0

The critical nature of India-Sri Lanka relations

The critical nature of India-Sri Lanka relations

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is to visit New Delhi in early February at the invitation of the Indian Premier Narendra Modi, will be discussing economic cooperation more than anything else, according to informed sources. The reason cited for this is that Prime …

1 week, 2 days ago by 0

China’s belt and road: an environmental disaster for Southeast Asia?

China’s belt and road: an environmental disaster for Southeast Asia?

When Chinese President Xi Jinping first unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013,it was heralded as one of the largest infrastructure development schemes in history. But the globe-spanning strategy, …

3 weeks, 2 days ago by 0

Sri Lanka: Headed for turbulent times?

Sri Lanka: Headed for turbulent times?

The seemingly serene, emerald green island of Sri Lanka on the Indian Ocean is worried that it is headed for turbulent times. Trouble reared its brutal head on Easter Sunday …

4 weeks, 1 day ago by 0

A bitter pill to swallow

A bitter pill to swallow

Since the setback in Nepal three years ago when the Indian diktat on the contents of a new constitution for that country was brusquely dismissed by that country’s communist leadership, Modi government faces a similar rebuff from Sri Lanka. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa chose a press …

1 month, 1 week ago by 0

2020 might be a telling year for Sri Lanka

2020 might be a telling year for Sri Lanka

In the weeks that followed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s big election win, Sri Lanka witnessed some rapid international outreach — both from and to Colombo — reflecting the strategic and geographic prominence of the Indian Ocean island that is home to 21 million people. India was …

1 month, 1 week ago by 0

China’s Building Spree Is Raising Questions

China’s Building Spree Is Raising Questions

At Sri Lanka’s southern tip, an abandoned British lighthouse stands sentinel near a half-moon-shaped cove bobbing with turquoise dinghies. Fishermen wearing sarongs drag wooden outriggers across a beach backed by centuries-old salt flats and palm trees. Less than 2 miles down the coast, towering blue-and-white …

1 month, 2 weeks ago by 0

Results Reveal a Divided Country ?

Results Reveal a Divided Country ?

Religious nationalism played the central role in the recently-held Sri Lankan presidential election, in which Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa came away victorious, winning 52.25 percent of the vote. The results reveal …

1 month, 2 weeks ago by 0

Sri Lanka Continues Its Delicate Dance with India

Sri Lanka Continues Its Delicate Dance with India

Sri Lanka is a role model for the dictum of diplomacy being the extension of a country’s national policies. Sri Lanka’s performance must be commended since it also grapples with an unresolved nationality question in which its big neighbor India has historically staked claim as …

1 month, 2 weeks ago by 0

Election was determined largely by local factors

Election was determined largely by local factors

Gotabaya Rajapakse won Sri Lanka’s Presidential Elections on November 16. This is not the first time Sri Lanka has had a Rajapakse as president. Mahinda Rajapakse, Gotabaya’s brother, also served …

1 month, 3 weeks ago by 0