August 2026

Sudan and the Illusion of External Rescue: a mirror for Sri Lanka
Who should heal Sudan’s pain? Image obtained from Middle East Political and Economic Institute

Sudan and the Illusion of External Rescue: a mirror for Sri Lanka

Mr. Saifeldin Nemir and Prof Mahesh Nirmalan Mr Saifeldin Nemir is a Sudanese national and the current Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Ethiopia. He was also the former Deputy Country Director for Islamic Relief Worldwide; Professor Mahesh Nirmalan is the Associate Vice President for Responsible Research Practice at the University of Manchester and Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK Sudan is geographically distant from Sri Lanka, but its recent history carries
August 2026 Guest Column
Prof. Mahesh Nirmalan

Prof. Mahesh Nirmalan
India’s Foreign Secretary to Visit Sri Lanka Amid Growing Tamil Political Coordination
Vikram Misri

India’s Foreign Secretary to Visit Sri Lanka Amid Growing Tamil Political Coordination

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka next week for an official visit, as Tamil-speaking political parties seek to strengthen coordination ahead of renewed engagement with New Delhi, according to people familiar with the plans. Mr. Misri is expected to meet Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister and other senior government officials, as well as Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and representatives of Tamil nationalist and up-country Tamil politi
Exclusive August 2026
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The Easter Bombings: Anatomy of a State Failure

The Easter Bombings: Anatomy of a State Failure

By Aruliniyan Mahalingam At 8:27 on the morning of April 21, 2019, a foreign intelligence service sent one last message to the head of Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence Service. The bombers would probably move between six and ten that morning, it said, and one of their targets was a Methodist church in Colombo. Surveillance teams were being deployed. The police, it added, had already been warned. The first explosions came shortly before nine, less than twenty minutes later. Over the course of th
Cover Story JM COURTS
Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam
Nineteen Years After Nilakshan's Killing, Justice Remains Elusive

Nineteen Years After Nilakshan's Killing, Justice Remains Elusive

JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — Nineteen years after Sahathevan Nilakshan, a 22-year-old journalist and University of Jaffna student, was shot dead outside his home during a military curfew, no one has been charged in the case. His killing, former classmates and colleagues say, deprived not only Sri Lankan journalism of a promising young journalist but also the Tamil community of a potential future leader. Mr. Nilakshan, a former student of Jaffna Hindu College, was remembered by teachers and fellow studen
August 2026
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Vietnam Sees Historic Direct Flights as Gateway to Stronger Sri Lanka Ties

Vietnam Sees Historic Direct Flights as Gateway to Stronger Sri Lanka Ties

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Vietnam and Sri Lanka are poised to reach a historic milestone in their bilateral relations with the launch of the first direct commercial flights between the two countries later this month, Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam said, describing the new air links as a catalyst for tourism, trade, and investment. Speaking at a tourism promotion programme in Colombo, Tam said the new services by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet would end a 34-year period without direct air connecti
Economics Story
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