The Sri Lankan Army has issued a clarification on the retention of passports belonging to Army personnel. Under this directive, passports of personnel holding the rank of major and below will be retained by their respective regiments. Controversy arose amid the administrative order issued by Army Headquarters on February 16th. According to the statement issued, the measure has been implemented as an administrative procedure to enhance inter-departmental coordination within the Army. Watch in for more details!

Sri Lanka Army clarifies passport retention policy for personnel

Sri Lanka’s new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is set to present his first full-year budget on Monday, outlining economic policies and revenue goals.

Sri Lanka unveils first budget under Dissanayake

Sri Lanka plunged into a nationwide power crisis. The unexpected outage has sparked debates over infrastructure security and energy reliability in the island nation.

Monkey business in Sri Lanka triggers national-wide blackout

Sri Lanka faces nationwide blackout, officials claim monkey causes power outage

ANI: India has lodged a strong protest against the firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the close proximity of Delft Island on Tuesday. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in Delhi to lodge protest over the incident. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "The Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called in today morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government."&nbsp;
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-polls-rahul-gandhi-raises-allegations-of-biggest-liquor-scam-against-sisodia-and-kejriwal-8662330">Delhi Polls: Rahul Gandhi targets Kejriwal and Sisodia over 'biggest liquor scam'</a>
According to the statement released by MEA, out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two suffered serious injuries and were undergoing treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, while three other fishermen who received minor injuries also received treatment. In a statement, MEA stated, "An incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island was reported in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital."&nbsp;
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-modi-highlights-indias-growing-concert-economy-citing-coldplays-tour-8660890">Prime Minister Modi highlights India's growing concert economy, citing Coldplay's tour</a>
"Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families," it added. According to the statement, the Indian government has always emphasised the need to treat issues related to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. In a statement, MEA stated, "The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two governments in this regard must be strictly observed."&nbsp;
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy over disputed fishing rights in the Palk Strait. Arrests and detentions of Indian fishermen have become a recurring issue, prompting diplomatic efforts from both the Indian central and state governments. Recently, 41 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy were repatriated to Chennai Airport. Among them, 35 fishermen from Ramanathapuram district had been arrested near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024, for alleged cross-border fishing.&nbsp;
Their release was secured following interventions by the Indian Union and Tamil Nadu governments. Earlier on January 16, another 15 Indian fishermen detained in 2024 were freed and returned to Chennai. These fishermen were arrested in separate incidents, including eight from Mannar Island on September 27 and 12 from Nagapattinam district on November 11.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from ANI feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.
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India News: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in Delhi to lodge a protest over the Sri Lankan Navy firing that left fishermen injured.

ANI: India has lodged a strong protest against the firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the close proximity of Delft Island on Tuesday. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in Delhi to lodge protest over the incident. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "The Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi was called in today morning to the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was lodged over the incident. Our High Commission in Colombo has also raised the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sri Lankan government." Also Read | Delhi Polls: Rahul Gandhi targets Kejriwal and Sisodia over 'biggest liquor scam' According to the statement released by MEA, out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two suffered serious injuries and were undergoing treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, while three other fishermen who received minor injuries also received treatment. In a statement, MEA stated, "An incident of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy during the apprehension of 13 Indian fishermen in the proximity of Delft Island was reported in the early hours of this morning. Out of the 13 fishermen who were on board the fishing vessel, two have sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital." Also Read | Prime Minister Modi highlights India's growing concert economy, citing Coldplay's tour "Three other fishermen received minor injuries and have been treated for the same. Indian Consulate Officials in Jaffna have visited the injured fishermen at the hospital to seek their welfare and are extending all possible assistance to the fishermen and their families," it added. According to the statement, the Indian government has always emphasised the need to treat issues related to fishermen in a humane and humanitarian manner, keeping in mind livelihood concerns. In a statement, MEA stated, "The use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances whatsoever. Existing understandings between the two governments in this regard must be strictly observed." This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Indian fishermen and the Sri Lankan Navy over disputed fishing rights in the Palk Strait. Arrests and detentions of Indian fishermen have become a recurring issue, prompting diplomatic efforts from both the Indian central and state governments. Recently, 41 Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy were repatriated to Chennai Airport. Among them, 35 fishermen from Ramanathapuram district had been arrested near Katchatheevu on September 8, 2024, for alleged cross-border fishing. Their release was secured following interventions by the Indian Union and Tamil Nadu governments. Earlier on January 16, another 15 Indian fishermen detained in 2024 were freed and returned to Chennai. These fishermen were arrested in separate incidents, including eight from Mannar Island on September 27 and 12 from Nagapattinam district on November 11. Disclaimer: This story has been published from ANI feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

India seeks action as Sri Lankan Navy firing leaves fishermen injured

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited Beijing to meet China's President Xi Jinping. Both leaders signed a series of cooperation agreements, one month after the Sri Lankan President visited India after winning the election last September. China has been trying to expand its influence in Sri Lanka for years, but New Delhi has been constantly raising its concerns with Colombo. Can Anura Kumara Dissanayake navigate through the India-China rivalry?

Sri Lanka President Dissanayake Meets Xi Jinping: India watches cautiously

Sri Lanka and China have taken a significant step toward economic cooperation, with President Xi Jinping hosting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Beijing. During this visit, the two nations signed 15 agreements, focusing on economic and technological development. These agreements aim to align China's Belt and Road Initiative with Sri Lanka's 2030 Digital Economy Blueprint.

Sri Lanka signs 15 deals with China amid economic recovery

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said relations between China and Sri Lanka faced a "historical opportunity" to foster ties, in talks with the island nation's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday.
"China-Sri Lanka relations face a historical opportunity to build on the past and forge ahead," Xi told Dissanayake during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV.&nbsp;
The two sides should see ties from "a strategic perspective and build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future."
Leftist Dissanayake's visit to China comes after he was given a red-carpet welcome to India by President Narendra Modi during his first overseas trip as premier in December.
Dissanayake came to power in September and consolidated his power after his party won a landslide in snap parliamentary polls in November.
China and India are meanwhile competing for influence in the Indian Ocean region.
Sri Lanka sits astride the world's busiest shipping route, which links the Middle East and East Asia, giving its maritime assets strategic importance.
But Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign borrowings in 2022 during a crisis that caused months of food, fuel and medicine shortages.
China accounted for more than half of Sri Lanka's bilateral debt at the time of the economic crash.
In December 2017, unable to repay a huge Chinese loan, Sri Lanka handed its Hambantota port in the south of the island to a Beijing company on a 99-year lease for $1.12 billion, raising questions about Chinese investments in the country.&nbsp;
Xi told Dissanayake that China would "actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic development and promote high-quality cooperation" under Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative (BRI).&nbsp;
China would also strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka to "jointly address climate change... uphold the unity and strength of the global South, and contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity", Xi said.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World | Dissanayake came to power in September and consolidated his power after his party won a landslide in snap parliamentary polls in November.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said relations between China and Sri Lanka faced a "historical opportunity" to foster ties, in talks with the island nation's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday. "China-Sri Lanka relations face a historical opportunity to build on the past and forge ahead," Xi told Dissanayake during the bilateral meeting in Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The two sides should see ties from "a strategic perspective and build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future." Leftist Dissanayake's visit to China comes after he was given a red-carpet welcome to India by President Narendra Modi during his first overseas trip as premier in December. Dissanayake came to power in September and consolidated his power after his party won a landslide in snap parliamentary polls in November. China and India are meanwhile competing for influence in the Indian Ocean region. Sri Lanka sits astride the world's busiest shipping route, which links the Middle East and East Asia, giving its maritime assets strategic importance. But Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign borrowings in 2022 during a crisis that caused months of food, fuel and medicine shortages. China accounted for more than half of Sri Lanka's bilateral debt at the time of the economic crash. In December 2017, unable to repay a huge Chinese loan, Sri Lanka handed its Hambantota port in the south of the island to a Beijing company on a 99-year lease for $1.12 billion, raising questions about Chinese investments in the country. Xi told Dissanayake that China would "actively support Sri Lanka in focusing on economic development and promote high-quality cooperation" under Beijing's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative (BRI). China would also strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka to "jointly address climate change... uphold the unity and strength of the global South, and contribute to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity", Xi said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

'Historical opportunity,' China's Xi hails ties with Sri Lanka during visit by President Dissanayake

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is in China, he kicked off a 4-day state visit to the country on Tuesday, marking his first visit to China after taking office. Watch in for more details!

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake aims to strengthen ties with China

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka is on a 4-day visit to China. This is his second overseas visit, with the first being to India since assuming office in September last year. Watch in for more details!

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrives in Beijing on a four-day visit to China

The Sri Lankan government has approved the import of non-iodised salt to address ongoing supply issues, a move aimed at stabilizing the local salt market and ensuring food availability across the nation.

Sri Lankan cabinet approves import of non-iodised salt amid ongoing supply concerns

Sri Lanka faces the risk of its entire wild boar population being wiped out because of African swine fever which has already killed around 100 of them as observed by the wildlife authorities. Watch to know more!

African Swine Fever Wipes Out Sri Lanka's Pigs, Spreads To Wild Boars

Sri Lanka: Swine Flu Fever Risks Loss Of Entire Wild Boar Population

Days after Sri Lanka completed debt restructuring of its dollar bonds, Moody's ratings raised the nation's credit rating. The change in ratings suggest the chance of Sri Lanka defaulting on its debt has fallen.

Sri Lanka's Successful Debt Swap Reduces the Risk of Default

Sri Lanka 
With the decision by the Hong Kong-based Fitch Ratings to upgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating, the island nation has officially ended its debt default, the Finance Ministry said here on Saturday. 
Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's long-term credit default rating to CCC+ from CCC- on Friday as it said that "the risk of another default on local currency debt has been reduced by the completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring and an improved outlook for macroeconomic indicators."
Mahinda Siriwardana, a top bureaucrat in the Finance Ministry, said in a statement: "December 20 marked a major milestone in our economic recovery process as Sri Lanka officially exited sovereign default."
Sri Lanka plunged into an economic crisis when the island nation declared sovereign default in mid-April of 2022, its first since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. Almost civil-war-like conditions and months of public protests led to the fleeing of the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, who then took over as the president, began the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) soon after. His government then clinched the bailout a year later in March 2023.
Siriwardana said the crisis was man-made and could have been averted if the early warnings had been heeded with an early engagement with the IMF.
"While macroeconomic outcomes have indeed been satisfactory and the debt restructuring process is completed culminating in this rating upgrade, people still feel the pain from the crisis and the difficult remedial measures."
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-disanayaka-assures-sri-lankas-land-wont-be-used-against-indias-security-interests-784493">Also read: President Dissanayake assures Sri Lanka's land won’t be used against India’s security interests</a>
He was perhaps referring to the time of unprecedented forex crisis that had triggered shortages of essentials and long queues were witnessed for fuel and cooking gas while the island faced power cuts for over 10 hours in 2022.
Siriwardana stresses that no room exists for a repeat of policy errors, the collapse happens rapidly but the recovery is painful.
"This is indeed a historic moment and a time to celebrate but it is a moment that should never be repeated."
Siriwardana was one of the two top officials besides the Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, who saw through the recovery process from its start in 2022. 
There have been three presidents and three finance ministers since the country was plunged into crisis.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Sri Lanka has achieved flexibility with the IMF on its rigid state revenue tax regime, something that was part of his election promise.
Speaking about the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during its third review of the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, told the parliament that his government has been able to raise the tax threshold.
Watch | Sri Lanka's President Chose India Over China
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"We have been able to raise the tax threshold of pay as you earn (PAYE tax) so that those who have bigger incomes pay more while those who earn pay less," Dissanayake said, adding there would be other VAT exemptions and withholding tax on interest incomes for the retired.
Dissanayake's government has recently concluded its third review of the IMF bailout and is awaiting the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion facility.
Sri Lanka had on November 26 announced that it has ratified the agreement for debt restructuring for USD 14.2 billion, compulsory to maintain debt sustainability by the IMF through an exchange of new bonds for the existing bonds.
A week prior to it, the National People's Power (NPP) government got the IMF approval for a staff-level agreement to secure the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion bailout package, something that President Dissanayake backed despite his pre-presidential election rhetoric to renegotiate with the global lender to water down tough conditions.
The NPP was highly critical of the cost recovery based on utility tariffs and high taxes, which came conditional to the bailout.
The debt restructuring agreement was reached in the last week of then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe's regime in September, days before the presidential polls.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's long-term credit default rating to CCC+ from CCC- on Friday as it said that "the risk of another default on local currency debt has been reduced by the completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring and an improved outlook for macroeconomic indicators."



Sri Lanka With the decision by the Hong Kong-based Fitch Ratings to upgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating, the island nation has officially ended its debt default, the Finance Ministry said here on Saturday. Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's long-term credit default rating to CCC+ from CCC- on Friday as it said that "the risk of another default on local currency debt has been reduced by the completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring and an improved outlook for macroeconomic indicators." Mahinda Siriwardana, a top bureaucrat in the Finance Ministry, said in a statement: "December 20 marked a major milestone in our economic recovery process as Sri Lanka officially exited sovereign default." Sri Lanka plunged into an economic crisis when the island nation declared sovereign default in mid-April of 2022, its first since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. Almost civil-war-like conditions and months of public protests led to the fleeing of the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who then took over as the president, began the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) soon after. His government then clinched the bailout a year later in March 2023. Siriwardana said the crisis was man-made and could have been averted if the early warnings had been heeded with an early engagement with the IMF. "While macroeconomic outcomes have indeed been satisfactory and the debt restructuring process is completed culminating in this rating upgrade, people still feel the pain from the crisis and the difficult remedial measures." Also read: President Dissanayake assures Sri Lanka's land won’t be used against India’s security interests He was perhaps referring to the time of unprecedented forex crisis that had triggered shortages of essentials and long queues were witnessed for fuel and cooking gas while the island faced power cuts for over 10 hours in 2022. Siriwardana stresses that no room exists for a repeat of policy errors, the collapse happens rapidly but the recovery is painful. "This is indeed a historic moment and a time to celebrate but it is a moment that should never be repeated." Siriwardana was one of the two top officials besides the Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, who saw through the recovery process from its start in 2022. There have been three presidents and three finance ministers since the country was plunged into crisis. Earlier on Wednesday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Sri Lanka has achieved flexibility with the IMF on its rigid state revenue tax regime, something that was part of his election promise. Speaking about the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during its third review of the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, told the parliament that his government has been able to raise the tax threshold. Watch | Sri Lanka's President Chose India Over China × "We have been able to raise the tax threshold of pay as you earn (PAYE tax) so that those who have bigger incomes pay more while those who earn pay less," Dissanayake said, adding there would be other VAT exemptions and withholding tax on interest incomes for the retired. Dissanayake's government has recently concluded its third review of the IMF bailout and is awaiting the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion facility. Sri Lanka had on November 26 announced that it has ratified the agreement for debt restructuring for USD 14.2 billion, compulsory to maintain debt sustainability by the IMF through an exchange of new bonds for the existing bonds. A week prior to it, the National People's Power (NPP) government got the IMF approval for a staff-level agreement to secure the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion bailout package, something that President Dissanayake backed despite his pre-presidential election rhetoric to renegotiate with the global lender to water down tough conditions. The NPP was highly critical of the cost recovery based on utility tariffs and high taxes, which came conditional to the bailout. The debt restructuring agreement was reached in the last week of then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe's regime in September, days before the presidential polls. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sri Lanka claims it has ended debt default, says crisis was 'man-made'

Sri Lanka's economic outlook has improved significantly...With fitch ratings upgrading the country's credit rating from "Restricted default" to 'ccc+'. This marks a turning point for the Island nation, signaling a reduction in default risks and renewed confidence in its economic recovery.

Sri Lanka's Economic Recovery Gains Momentum

Sri Lanka's economic outlook has improved significantly...With fitch ratings upgrading the country's credit rating from "Restricted default" to 'ccc+'.



This marks a turning point for the Island nation, signaling a reduction in default risks and renewed confidence in its economic recovery.

With the decision by the Hong Kong-based Fitch Ratings to upgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating, the island nation has officially ended its debt default, the Finance Ministry said here on Saturday.&nbsp;

Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's long-term credit default rating to CCC+ from CCC- on Friday as it said that "the risk of another default on local currency debt has been reduced by the completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring and an improved outlook for macroeconomic indicators."

Mahinda Siriwardana, a top bureaucrat in the Finance Ministry, said in a statement: "December 20 marked a major milestone in our economic recovery process as Sri Lanka officially exited sovereign default."

Sri Lanka plunged into an economic crisis when the island nation declared sovereign default in mid-April of 2022, its first since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. Almost civil-war-like conditions and months of public protests led to the fleeing of the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Ranil Wickremesinghe, who then took over as the president, began the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) soon after. His government then clinched the bailout a year later in March 2023.

Siriwardana said the crisis was man-made and could have been averted if the early warnings had been heeded with an early engagement with the IMF.

"While macroeconomic outcomes have indeed been satisfactory and the debt restructuring process is completed culminating in this rating upgrade, people still feel the pain from the crisis and the difficult remedial measures."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-disanayaka-assures-sri-lankas-land-wont-be-used-against-indias-security-interests-784493">Also read:&nbsp;President Dissanayake assures Sri Lanka's land won’t be used against India’s security interests</a>

He was perhaps referring to the time of unprecedented forex crisis that had triggered shortages of essentials and long queues were witnessed for fuel and cooking gas while the island faced power cuts for over 10 hours in 2022.

Siriwardana stresses that no room exists for a repeat of policy errors, the collapse happens rapidly but the recovery is painful.

"This is indeed a historic moment and a time to celebrate but it is a moment that should never be repeated."

Siriwardana was one of the two top officials besides the Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, who saw through the recovery process from its start in 2022.&nbsp;

There have been three presidents and three finance ministers since the country was plunged into crisis.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Sri Lanka has achieved flexibility with the IMF on its rigid state revenue tax regime, something that was part of his election promise.

Speaking about the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during its third review of the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, told the parliament that his government has been able to raise the tax threshold.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka's President Chose India Over China

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"We have been able to raise the tax threshold of pay as you earn (PAYE tax) so that those who have bigger incomes pay more while those who earn pay less," Dissanayake said, adding there would be other VAT exemptions and withholding tax on interest incomes for the retired.

Dissanayake's government has recently concluded its third review of the IMF bailout and is awaiting the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion facility.

Sri Lanka had on November 26 announced that it has ratified the agreement for debt restructuring for USD 14.2 billion, compulsory to maintain debt sustainability by the IMF through an exchange of new bonds for the existing bonds.

A week prior to it, the National People's Power (NPP) government got the IMF approval for a staff-level agreement to secure the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion bailout package, something that President Dissanayake backed despite his pre-presidential election rhetoric to renegotiate with the global lender to water down tough conditions.

The NPP was highly critical of the cost recovery based on utility tariffs and high taxes, which came conditional to the bailout.

The debt restructuring agreement was reached in the last week of then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe's regime in September, days before the presidential polls.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

With the decision by the Hong Kong-based Fitch Ratings to upgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating, the island nation has officially ended its debt default, the Finance Ministry said here on Saturday.

With the decision by the Hong Kong-based Fitch Ratings to upgrade Sri Lanka's credit rating, the island nation has officially ended its debt default, the Finance Ministry said here on Saturday. Fitch upgraded Sri Lanka's long-term credit default rating to CCC+ from CCC- on Friday as it said that "the risk of another default on local currency debt has been reduced by the completion of the international sovereign bond restructuring and an improved outlook for macroeconomic indicators." Mahinda Siriwardana, a top bureaucrat in the Finance Ministry, said in a statement: "December 20 marked a major milestone in our economic recovery process as Sri Lanka officially exited sovereign default." Sri Lanka plunged into an economic crisis when the island nation declared sovereign default in mid-April of 2022, its first since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. Almost civil-war-like conditions and months of public protests led to the fleeing of the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who then took over as the president, began the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) soon after. His government then clinched the bailout a year later in March 2023. Siriwardana said the crisis was man-made and could have been averted if the early warnings had been heeded with an early engagement with the IMF. "While macroeconomic outcomes have indeed been satisfactory and the debt restructuring process is completed culminating in this rating upgrade, people still feel the pain from the crisis and the difficult remedial measures." Also read: President Dissanayake assures Sri Lanka's land won’t be used against India’s security interests He was perhaps referring to the time of unprecedented forex crisis that had triggered shortages of essentials and long queues were witnessed for fuel and cooking gas while the island faced power cuts for over 10 hours in 2022. Siriwardana stresses that no room exists for a repeat of policy errors, the collapse happens rapidly but the recovery is painful. "This is indeed a historic moment and a time to celebrate but it is a moment that should never be repeated." Siriwardana was one of the two top officials besides the Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, who saw through the recovery process from its start in 2022. There have been three presidents and three finance ministers since the country was plunged into crisis. Earlier on Wednesday, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Sri Lanka has achieved flexibility with the IMF on its rigid state revenue tax regime, something that was part of his election promise. Speaking about the agreements reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during its third review of the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, told the parliament that his government has been able to raise the tax threshold. Watch | Sri Lanka's President Chose India Over China × "We have been able to raise the tax threshold of pay as you earn (PAYE tax) so that those who have bigger incomes pay more while those who earn pay less," Dissanayake said, adding there would be other VAT exemptions and withholding tax on interest incomes for the retired. Dissanayake's government has recently concluded its third review of the IMF bailout and is awaiting the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion facility. Sri Lanka had on November 26 announced that it has ratified the agreement for debt restructuring for USD 14.2 billion, compulsory to maintain debt sustainability by the IMF through an exchange of new bonds for the existing bonds. A week prior to it, the National People's Power (NPP) government got the IMF approval for a staff-level agreement to secure the fourth tranche of the nearly USD 3 billion bailout package, something that President Dissanayake backed despite his pre-presidential election rhetoric to renegotiate with the global lender to water down tough conditions. The NPP was highly critical of the cost recovery based on utility tariffs and high taxes, which came conditional to the bailout. The debt restructuring agreement was reached in the last week of then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe's regime in September, days before the presidential polls. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued a boat carrying Rohingya refugees off its coast. The rescue operation highlights ongoing humanitarian efforts to assist displaced communities in the region.

Sri Lanka Navy Saves 102 Rohingya Refugees Adrift On Fishing Trawler

Colombo, Sri Lanka
<meta content="uuidjop0L6AsEeLy" name="uuid"/>
Sri Lanka's navy said Friday it had rescued 102 Rohingya refugees from war-torn Myanmar adrift in a fishing trawler off the Indian Ocean island nation, bringing them safely to port.
The group, including 25 children, were taken to Sri Lanka's eastern port of Trincomalee, a navy spokesman said, adding that food and water had been provided.
"Medical checks have to be done before they are allowed to disembark," the spokesman said.
The mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long sea journeys, the majority heading southeast to Malaysia or Indonesia.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-child-killed-in-croatia-school-as-former-student-goes-on-stabbing-spree-785660">One child killed in Croatia school as former student goes on stabbing spree</a>
But fisherman spotted the drifting trawler off Sri Lanka's northern coast at Mullivaikkal at dawn on Thursday.
While unusual, it is not the first boat to head to Sri Lanka -- about 1,750 kilometres (1,100 miles) across open seas southwest of Myanmar.
The Sri Lankan navy rescued more than 100 Rohingya refugees in distress on a boat off their shores in December 2022.
The navy spokesman said Friday that language difficulties had made it hard to understand where the refugees had been intending to reach, suggesting that "recent cyclonic weather" may have pushed them off course.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh in 2017 during a crackdown by the military that is now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case.
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Myanmar's military seized power in a 2021 coup and a grinding war since then has forced millions to flee.
Last month, the UN warned Myanmar's Rakhine state -- the historic homeland of many Rohingya -- was heading towards famine, as brutal clashes squeeze commerce and agricultural production.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long sea journeys, the majority heading southeast to Malaysia or Indonesia.



Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's navy said Friday it had rescued 102 Rohingya refugees from war-torn Myanmar adrift in a fishing trawler off the Indian Ocean island nation, bringing them safely to port. The group, including 25 children, were taken to Sri Lanka's eastern port of Trincomalee, a navy spokesman said, adding that food and water had been provided. "Medical checks have to be done before they are allowed to disembark," the spokesman said. The mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long sea journeys, the majority heading southeast to Malaysia or Indonesia. Also read | One child killed in Croatia school as former student goes on stabbing spree But fisherman spotted the drifting trawler off Sri Lanka's northern coast at Mullivaikkal at dawn on Thursday. While unusual, it is not the first boat to head to Sri Lanka -- about 1,750 kilometres (1,100 miles) across open seas southwest of Myanmar. The Sri Lankan navy rescued more than 100 Rohingya refugees in distress on a boat off their shores in December 2022. The navy spokesman said Friday that language difficulties had made it hard to understand where the refugees had been intending to reach, suggesting that "recent cyclonic weather" may have pushed them off course. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh in 2017 during a crackdown by the military that is now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case. Also read | Explained: US lawmakers scramble to avert govt shutdown. Here's what's at stake Myanmar's military seized power in a 2021 coup and a grinding war since then has forced millions to flee. Last month, the UN warned Myanmar's Rakhine state -- the historic homeland of many Rohingya -- was heading towards famine, as brutal clashes squeeze commerce and agricultural production. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sri Lanka Navy rescues boat of 100 Rohingya refugees

Sri Lanka's navy said Friday it had rescued 102 Rohingya refugees from war-torn Myanmar adrift in a fishing trawler off the Indian Ocean island nation, bringing them safely to port.

Sri Lanka's navy said Friday it had rescued 102 Rohingya refugees from war-torn Myanmar adrift in a fishing trawler off the Indian Ocean island nation, bringing them safely to port. The group, including 25 children, were taken to Sri Lanka's eastern port of Trincomalee, a navy spokesman said, adding that food and water had been provided. "Medical checks have to be done before they are allowed to disembark," the spokesman said. The mostly Muslim ethnic Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long sea journeys, the majority heading southeast to Malaysia or Indonesia. Also read | One child killed in Croatia school as former student goes on stabbing spree But fisherman spotted the drifting trawler off Sri Lanka's northern coast at Mullivaikkal at dawn on Thursday. While unusual, it is not the first boat to head to Sri Lanka -- about 1,750 kilometres (1,100 miles) across open seas southwest of Myanmar. The Sri Lankan navy rescued more than 100 Rohingya refugees in distress on a boat off their shores in December 2022. The navy spokesman said Friday that language difficulties had made it hard to understand where the refugees had been intending to reach, suggesting that "recent cyclonic weather" may have pushed them off course. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh in 2017 during a crackdown by the military that is now the subject of a United Nations genocide court case. Also read | Explained: US lawmakers scramble to avert govt shutdown. Here's what's at stake Myanmar's military seized power in a 2021 coup and a grinding war since then has forced millions to flee. Last month, the UN warned Myanmar's Rakhine state -- the historic homeland of many Rohingya -- was heading towards famine, as brutal clashes squeeze commerce and agricultural production. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In a gripping narrative that unearths the harsh realities of Sri Lanka's civil war, Kagusthan Ariaratnam, a former child soldier of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) turned intelligence operative, has released his memoir titled "Spy Tiger: The 05 File." Co-authored with Michael Bramadat-Willcock, the book offers a rare glimpse into the life of someone who was on both sides of the conflict, serving the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) before switching allegiances to work with Sri Lankan and Indian intelligence.

Ariaratnam's story begins in the classrooms of Kokkuvil Hindu College in Jaffna, where at 17, his life was abruptly redirected. "One day in 1991, while I was preparing for my advanced level mathematics exam, I was among 20 students taken to an LTTE camp," he recounts.&nbsp;

The memoir delves into the complex world of espionage, where Ariaratnam, under the codename "Spy Tiger," navigated through the moral and ethical quagmires of war. His transition from a child soldier to an intelligence agent is not just a tale of survival but also of the profound psychological and ethical challenges he faced.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-ltte-chief-velupillai-prabhakaran-alive-declares-tamil-nationalist-leader-army-slams-the-claim-561556">Also read:&nbsp;Sri Lanka Army dismisses claim of Tamil politician that LTTE ex-chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still alive</a>

A key aspect of the book is Ariaratnam's acknowledgment of the Indian spymaster B. Raman, whom he credits with saving his life. "Raman stepped out of the shadows to save my life from terror and horror in Sri Lanka," Ariaratnam writes, expressing gratitude for the protection and guidance he received from Raman, whom he describes as a "silent guardian."

"Spy Tiger: The 05 File" not only chronicles Ariaratnam's personal journey but also sheds light on the broader implications of the Sri Lankan civil war, the role of child soldiers, and the intricacies of espionage that often go unseen by the public eye.

In his book, he claimed that between 1992-95, India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was involved in a covert operation within the LTTE to eliminate the LTTE supreme leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran following the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a Tamil Tiger female suicide bomber.&nbsp;

He also detailed how he worked with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

In a gripping narrative that unearths the harsh realities of Sri Lanka's civil war, Kagusthan Ariaratnam, a former child soldier of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) turned intelligence operative, has released his memoir titled "Spy Tiger: The 05 File.

In a gripping narrative that unearths the harsh realities of Sri Lanka's civil war, Kagusthan Ariaratnam, a former child soldier of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) turned intelligence operative, has released his memoir titled "Spy Tiger: The 05 File." Co-authored with Michael Bramadat-Willcock, the book offers a rare glimpse into the life of someone who was on both sides of the conflict, serving the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) before switching allegiances to work with Sri Lankan and Indian intelligence. Ariaratnam's story begins in the classrooms of Kokkuvil Hindu College in Jaffna, where at 17, his life was abruptly redirected. "One day in 1991, while I was preparing for my advanced level mathematics exam, I was among 20 students taken to an LTTE camp," he recounts. The memoir delves into the complex world of espionage, where Ariaratnam, under the codename "Spy Tiger," navigated through the moral and ethical quagmires of war. His transition from a child soldier to an intelligence agent is not just a tale of survival but also of the profound psychological and ethical challenges he faced. Also read: Sri Lanka Army dismisses claim of Tamil politician that LTTE ex-chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still alive A key aspect of the book is Ariaratnam's acknowledgment of the Indian spymaster B. Raman, whom he credits with saving his life. "Raman stepped out of the shadows to save my life from terror and horror in Sri Lanka," Ariaratnam writes, expressing gratitude for the protection and guidance he received from Raman, whom he describes as a "silent guardian." "Spy Tiger: The 05 File" not only chronicles Ariaratnam's personal journey but also sheds light on the broader implications of the Sri Lankan civil war, the role of child soldiers, and the intricacies of espionage that often go unseen by the public eye. In his book, he claimed that between 1992-95, India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was involved in a covert operation within the LTTE to eliminate the LTTE supreme leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran following the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a Tamil Tiger female suicide bomber. He also detailed how he worked with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

From child soldier to spy: Ariaratnam's memoirs shed light on Sri Lankan Civil war

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From child soldier to spy: Ariaratnam's memoirs shed light on Sri Lankan Civil war