OWSA Contributor

With Bangladesh’s energy demand rising and domestic generation under pressure, the power from APL’s Godda plant plays a vital role, particularly in northern regions. Any disruption in this supply could significantly impact industrial and residential consumers.

Meanwhile, the de facto authorities have conveyed grievances around frozen assets, sanctions, non-recognition, the need for greater development assistance, and an end to aid dependency.

Many families, desperate for closure or suspicious of the remains' authenticity, choose to cut open the coffins themselves, sometimes in the presence of local morgue workers or relatives.

A core feature of the initiative includes $40 million in World Bank Group guarantees in the first phase. This will help reduce risks for private investors and energy producers.

The pilot in Galle is seen as a potential blueprint for nationwide replication, with implications for addressing water inefficiencies throughout Sri Lanka. If successful, it could also serve as a model for other countries in the region facing similar challenges.

Speaking at a business forum attended by around 100 Chinese companies eager to explore investment and trade opportunities in Sri Lanka, Minister Wang called for accelerating negotiations on the FTA.

Staying close to 1.5°C on the other hand preserves at least some glacier ice in all regions, even Scandinavia, with 20-30 per cent remaining in the four most sensitive regions; and 40-45 per cent in the Himalayas and Caucuses; stressing the growing urgency of the 1.5°C temperature goal and rapid decarbonization to achieve it.

The massive profits coupled with a weak legal framework have drawn influential individuals with political connections into the sand mining business, making it dangerous for environmental activists and journalists to speak out.