Civil society

Tensions reached a boiling point at Rajshahi Railway Station, where angry passengers vandalised the premises after learning of the strike. The protests, which began around 7:00 am, resulted in damaged furniture and heightened tensions. Army personnel were deployed to restore order.

With the union now officially recognised, workers hope that the labour department will take stronger action to ensure improved working conditions and that Samsung management will be held accountable for its treatment of employees.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in capacity building and global cooperation as vital to safeguarding democratic processes and strengthening election management worldwide.

The Trump administration’s focus on Mexico and Canada reflects the fact that they, along with China, are by some distance America’s major source of goods imports, each accounting for in excess of $400 billion in 2023.

UN agencies responded on Tuesday to President Trump’s executive orders ending US membership of the World Health Organization and its adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement, highlighting the massive potential negative impact on public health and efforts to curb global warming.

As Sri Lanka navigates these complex international relationships, concerns persist about the nation's sovereignty and its ability to maintain a balanced foreign policy amidst mounting external pressures.

Funding for mine action has halved over the past two years, leading to a significant reduction in the workforce. Today, only 3,000 of the 15,000 Afghan de-miners employed before the Taliban takeover are still working, with more than 40 percent losing their jobs.

The government has committed to ambitious renewable energy targets – 50 per cent power generation from renewables by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. Coal remains indispensable in the short term. Plans to nearly double coal production by 2030 reflect the urgency to meet rising energy demands.