Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: in search of a drop of petrol

In the worst economic crisis Sri Lanka's in decades, Lasanda Deepthi's life is determined by the needle on the fuel gauge of her tuk-tuk (photo: Adnan Abidi/Reuters)
Sri Lanka: in search of a drop of petrol

Sri Lanka is in the midst of the worst economic crisis in decades. Resentment and anger are growing among the population. These days Lasanda Deepthi's life is ruled by the needle on her tutktuk's fuel gauge. By Claudia Dehn
Sri Lanka – the hard life of Negombo's fishermen
Sri Lanka – the hard life of Negombo's fishermen

Sri Lanka's worst financial crisis since 1948 is bringing many fishermen to the brink of destitution, even though they themselves contribute to feeding the country's people and export fish to a dozen countries. By Claudia Dehn
COVID-19 pandemic

Science versus covidiots – Indiaʹs coronavirus challenge

Obscurantism is making it harder to prevent Covid-19, not only in Southeast Asia. Though India's lockdown was poorly planned, we must hope it will prove effective. By Aditi Roy Ghatak
Easter Sunday bombings

How did Islamist terrorism take hold in Sri Lanka?

How active are Islamist groups in Sri Lanka? Could they have launched multiple, well-coordinated terrorist attacks in different parts of the country without the support of global jihadist organisations? By Shamil Shams
Islamophobia in Asia

What drives Buddhist anti-Muslim feeling?

Islamophobia is rife in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand, with Buddhist monks heading up the hate campaigns against Muslims. Yet the roots of the conflict run deep. A report by Rodion Ebbighausen
Interview with Basil Fernando on the election in Sri Lanka

Nurturing a spirit of reconciliation

Maithripala Sirisena was the surprise winner of last week's presidential election in Sri Lanka. He was swept to power on a platform of political reform and an end to corruption. Sirisena has promised to transfer many of the president's executive powers to parliament. Only days after his election, he took steps to increase press freedom. Roma Rajpal Weiss spoke to Basil Fernando, Sri Lankan activist and former director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, about the significance of Sirisena's victory
Anti-Muslim violence in Myanmar and Sri Lanka

Surge of radical Buddhism in South Asia

Nationalist Buddhist monks in Myanmar and Sri Lanka are playing a key role in instigating hatred and provoking violence towards the Muslim minorities in both countries, claiming that such action is necessary in order to protect Buddhist race and culture. By Roma Rajpal Weiß