Corruption

According to the US Trade Representative’s findings, Sri Lanka’s high tariff rates – among the world’s highest by certain metrics – along with unpredictable customs procedures and non-transparent policy shifts, have contributed to strained trade relations.

A National Consensus Commission has been established to gather input from political parties, and their recommendations will form the basis of a July Charter outlining agreed-upon reforms.

Amnesty International has also sounded the alarm, calling on donor countries to step up financial support. According to UNHCR, 95 per cent of Rohingya households depend on humanitarian aid, and food ration reductions will push them deeper into hunger and insecurity.

At the heart of the government's strategy is the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an attached office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, tasked with coordinating efforts to combat all forms of cybercrime, including digital arrest scams.  

Whether the two parties can bridge the gap and reach a mutually acceptable agreement remains to be seen. The Sri Lankan government's insistence on price revision and Adani’s re-affirmation of the initial terms, clearly sets the stage for a tense negotiation period.

The number killed in violence last year was the highest since the military coup in 2021. Over 1,800 civilians were killed in 2024, many in indiscriminate airstrikes and artillery shelling, with attacks on schools, places of worship and healthcare facilities having become routine.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party held an extended meeting to strategise its electoral approach and reinforce party discipline.

The government's multi-pronged approach, combining domestic investigations, international cooperation, and a commitment to long-term reforms, signals a determined effort to tackle the pervasive issue of money laundering and reclaim the nation’s stolen wealth.