SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday tabled his academic qualifications in Parliament, following a challenge issued by Chief Government Whip and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Premadasa, in a detailed response, presented all his educational certificates.

Premadasa said: “I did not sit the GCE Ordinary Level Examination in Sri Lanka, as I left the country, after Grade 9. Instead, I pursued my education in the UK, where I successfully completed my O-Levels and A-Levels,” Premadasa said, adding that he had obtained his first degree from the University of London but he had to return to Sri Lanka in 1993 following his father’s assassination. “I had to cut short my Master’s degree at that point, but later, I pursued further studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, in the United States, where I earned a Master’s in Public Management,” Premadasa stated. He also revealed that he had completed a degree at the Open University of Sri Lanka, where Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya was one of his lecturers.

The World Bank’s latest South Asia Development Update raises important questions about the region’s vulnerability to geopolitical risks and its ability to adapt to the shifting global economic landscape. As the global economy fragments along geopolitical lines, South Asian countries face complex challenges as they attempt to navigate these divisions while also positioning themselves to benefit from the reshaping of global value chains.

The report notes that many emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), including those in South Asia, are grappling with the economic fallout of geopolitical fragmentation. As countries increasingly realign along political and economic lines, the ability of South Asia to remain resilient to external shocks, including trade disruptions and geopolitical tensions, has become a key concern.

According to the World Bank, South Asian countries’ geopolitical stances, as reflected by their voting patterns in the United Nations, generally align more closely with China than with the United States or Europe—the region’s primary export destinations and largest foreign direct investment (FDI) sources. This alignment places South Asia in a unique position as global power dynamics shift, particularly in light of growing tensions between major geopolitical players.

However, the report also emphasizes that South Asia’s relative insulation from external geopolitical risks is partly due to the region’s lack of openness to global trade and investment. South Asian countries are among the most closed economies in the EMDE group, ranking in the bottom quartile for global trade and FDI openness. While this insularity provides some protection from external shocks, it also limits the region’s capacity to leverage geopolitical diversity and capitalize on the transformation of global supply chains.

While South Asia’s economic ties are becoming more geopolitically diversified, this shift has not been fully translated into economic benefits due to the region’s restrictive trade policies. Countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan have expanded their export markets and FDI sources, increasing their geopolitical diversity since 2016. Despite this, the World Bank points out that these countries’ economic openness remains constrained, preventing them from fully realizing the potential advantages of their diversified international relationships.

The South Asia Development Update suggests that South Asian countries could significantly boost their economic performance if they reduced trade barriers, eased FDI restrictions, and invested in infrastructure and logistics. These steps would not only enhance trade connections but also help mitigate vulnerabilities to external shocks, whether geopolitical or economic.

To fully capitalize on their diverse geopolitical ties, the World Bank advocates for a series of policy reforms. These include lowering import tariffs, easing restrictions on foreign investment, improving infrastructure, and deepening financial markets. The report further suggests that South Asia should actively engage in a wide range of trade agreements to maintain a diverse set of trading partners and creditors, which could act as a buffer against potential geopolitical risks.

The potential gains from these reforms are substantial. According to the World Bank’s cross-country analysis, if South Asian countries were to adopt the best practices seen in high-performing EMDEs—such as improving logistics performance and reducing tariffs—there is potential for the region’s export connectedness to match that of Malaysia and Indonesia, two countries that are often cited as models of trade openness and economic integration.

The World Bank’s report underscores that while South Asia faces significant geopolitical risks, the region’s current economic policies are limiting its ability to take advantage of the evolving global trade environment. By fostering greater openness to international trade and investment, South Asian countries could better position themselves to thrive amidst the diversifying global value chains and mitigate the risks associated with geopolitical fragmentation.

For policymakers in the region, the key takeaway is clear: embracing economic openness and strengthening trade and investment ties with a broader set of global partners could unlock considerable growth potential for South Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism yesterday announced the successful repatriation of 27 Sri Lankans who had been lured into cybercrime operations and subsequently became victims of human trafficking in Myanmar.

The repatriation process was coordinated with the assistance of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions in Myanmar and Thailand, and with significant logistical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The victims were first received in Thailand on 25 November, where they were welcomed by the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand and Embassy officials at the Mae Sot border. They were later transferred to Bangkok, where they were provided with shelter and care until their return to Sri Lanka.

Senior officials from the Ministry’s Consular Affairs Division were present at the Bandaranaike International Airport to receive the victims upon their arrival in Colombo.

The repatriation marks a critical step in the ongoing efforts to rescue Sri Lankans who fall prey to trafficking networks abroad.

In addition to the Ministry’s efforts, Ven. Maligawila Assaji Thera, a Buddhist monk representing the families of the victims, played a crucial role in the repatriation process. The monk’s involvement was instrumental in coordinating communication between the families and the authorities, ensuring that the victims’ safe return was prioritized.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism continues to work closely with authorities in Myanmar and Thailand to secure the release and repatriation of additional Sri Lankans still trapped in the Myawaddy region of Myanmar.

The Ministry expressed gratitude to the governments of Myanmar and Thailand, as well as to the IOM, for their cooperation and assistance in facilitating the rescue and repatriation of the victims.

In light of these events, the Ministry has issued a strong warning to the public, urging caution when seeking foreign employment. Sri Lankans are advised to adhere strictly to government-approved procedures and verify all job offers with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes or human trafficking.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Sri Lankans working abroad and emphasized the importance of following the proper channels to ensure safe and legitimate employment opportunities.