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Sri Lanka and World Bank discuss Economic Reforms and collaborations
The Sri Lanka Delegation, led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, engaged in high-level discussions with World Bank President Ajay Banga and other World Bank officials at the World Bank Headquarters (UNHQ) on Monday (18). The meeting centered on a range of critical topics, including economic reforms, agriculture, tourism, and digitization.
President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude for the vital financial support provided by the World Bank during challenging times, stating, “The money was available at least for the basics and that helped us tide through the most difficult months. Now it’s a matter of finalizing the debt restructuring and moving on from there.” He emphasized the need for fast and sustained economic growth.
The Sri Lanka President highlighted the immediate focus on tourism, food security, agricultural modernization, additional technological universities and renewable energy development, which would significantly impact the northern region of Sri Lanka. He also mentioned plans for a climate change university.
World Bank President Ajay Banga commended Sri Lanka’s commitment to reforms, emphasizing the importance of credibility in the country’s approach. He noted that the World Bank is actively involved in advisory work and encouraged Sri Lanka to rely on their support.
(PMD)
Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs shared an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 82 and South Africa pulled away from Sri Lanka on the third day at St George’s Park. They extended the lead to 221 after taking a slim 30-run advantage from the first innings having bowling Sri Lanka out for 328 earlier in the day.
South Africa’s strong performance was sandwiched between Dane Paterson’s first Test five-for and Aiden Markram half-century, which set up their second innings. Bavuma is two runs away from a fourth successive fifty-plus score in the series, in which he has already collected more than 300 runs. Despite not playing any competitive cricket for two months before this series as he recovered from an elbow injury, Bavuma is seeing the ball better than anyone else and has added a more aggressive style to his strokeplay.
Ten wickets fell on the third day – the most in the Test so far – but conditions were still well suited to batting under blue skies. Sri Lanka’s seam attack still found some movement and there was also a hint of turn for Prabath Jayasuriya which will likely please South Africa more than their visitors. With the surface expected to start deteriorating in dry conditions from day four, Keshav Maharaj could come into play later on. Before that, Sri Lanka will look for seven wickets with the knowledge that the highest successful chase at this ground is 271, and that South Africa are 50 runs away from that. But they will take heart from the glimpses of spin, especially as it has already brought some success.
Sri Lanka’s first threat came through spin when Prabath Jayasuriya foxed Tony de Zorzi by one that curved through the bat-pad as he looked to drive and ended a 55 run first-wicket stand. De Zorzi series ended with a disappointing total of 40 runs from four innings having come into the series on the back of registering 177 in Bangladesh.
Markram, his opening partner, fared better despite edging Asitha Fernando’s second delivery. The chance fell short of second slip. Markram looked increasingly confident as his innings grew but never fully comfortable. He approached fifty when he slashed at a short, wide Vishwa delivery and edged past gully for four and got there with a gorgeous cover drive which re-asserted his control. Importantly for him, it was his first fifty in 12 completed innings across formats. He only lasted six more balls before he edged a flashing cover drive off Vishwa and was caught one-handed by a diving Kusal Mendis, whose powers of anticipation were on full display.
Ryan Rickelton started with the same watchfulness as his first innings but would not continue to another century. He missed a Jayasuriya ball that skidded onto hit him in front of middle stump and had to go for 24.
Brief scores:
South Africa 358 and 191 for 3 (Aiden Markram 55, Temba Bavuma 48*, Tristan Stubbs 36*, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-75) lead Sri Lanka 328 (Pathum Nissanka 89, Kamindu Mendis 48, Angelo Mathews 44, Dinesh Chandimal 44; Dane Paterson 5-71, Keshav Maharaj 2-65, Marco Jansen 2-100) by 221 runs
[Cricinfo]
Lawmakers in South Korea have narrowly failed to impeach the nation’s president over his short-lived attempt to declare martial law.
A bill to censure Yoon Suk Yeol fell three votes short of the 200 needed to pass, with many members of parliament in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotting the vote.
The South Korean premier sparked widespread shock and anger when he declared military rule -associated with authoritarianism in the country – on Tuesday, in a bid to break out of a political stalemate.
Yoon’s declaration was quickly overturned by parliament, before his government rescinded it a few hours later in the midst of large protests.
The impeachment bill needed a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly to pass, meaning at least eight PPP MPs would have to vote in favour.
However, all but three walked out of the chamber earlier on Saturday.
One of those who remained, Cho Kyung-tae, credited Yoon’s apology for the martial law decree on Saturday morning – after three days out of public view – as having influenced his decision not to back impeachment this time.
“The president’s apology and his willingness to step down early, as well as delegating all political agendas to the party, did have an impact on my decision,” he told the BBC ahead of the vote.
Cho said he believed impeachment would hand the presidency to the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), Lee Jae-myung.
He added that Yoon’s “irrational and absurd decision” to declare martial law had “overshadowed” what he described as the DPK’s “many extreme actions” while in power.
Following Saturday’s vote, Lee insisted his party “will not give up” with its attempts to impeach Yoon, who he said had become “the worst risk” to South Korea.
“We will definitely return this country to normal by Christmas and the end of the year,” he told a crowd gathered outside the parliament in the capital, Seoul.
Prior to Tuesday, martial law – temporary rule by military authorities in a time of emergency, during which civil rights are usually curtailed – had not been declared in South Korea since before it became a parliamentary democracy in 1987.
Yoon claimed the measures were needed to defeat “anti-state forces” in the parliament and referred to North Korea.
But others saw the move as an extreme reaction to the political stalemate that had arisen since the DPK won a landslide in April, reducing his government to vetoing the bills it passed, as well as Yoon’s increasing unpopularity in the wake of a scandal surrounding the first lady.
The president’s late-night address caused dramatic scenes at the National Assembly, with protesters descending en masse as military personnel attempted to block entry to the building.
Lawmakers tussled with the soldiers, with 190 MPs making it into the building to vote down the order.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, Yoon’s cabinet rescinded the martial law declaration.
However, the short-lived military takeover has seen daily protests on the streets. Some came out in support of Yoon, though they were drowned out by angry mobs.
Authorities have since revealed more about the events of Tuesday night.
The commander charged with the military takeover said he had learned of the decree on TV along with everyone else in the country.
He said he had refused to make his troops arrest lawmakers inside parliament, and did not give them live ammunition rounds.
The National Intelligence Service later confirmed rumours that Yoon had ordered the arrest and interrogation of his political rivals – and even some of his supposed political allies, such as his own party leader Han Dong-hoon.
These revelations saw some members of Yoon’s own party signal their support for impeachment.
The president’s apology on Saturday morning appeared to be a last-ditch effort to shore up support.
He said the martial law declaration had been made out of “desperation” and pledged he would not make another.
Yoon did not offer to resign, but said he would leave decisions on how to stabilise the country to his party.
Were he to be impeached, it would not be unprecedented. In 2016, then-President Park Geun-hye was impeached after being accused of helping a friend commit extortion.
If South Korea’s parliament passes an impeachment bill, a trial would be held by a constitutional court. Two-thirds of that court would have to sustain the majority for him to be removed permanently from office.
[BBC]
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Mr. Donald Lu expressed the United States government’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s on-going anti-corruption initiatives as needed during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (07).
Mr. Lu stated that the US is prepared to provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen Sri Lanka’s security and economy. He also emphasized the US government’s willingness to offer technical expertise to help recover funds that were illegally taken out of the country, as part of Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption program.
The discussion highlighted the US government’s appreciation for the new administration’s prioritization of key political, economic, and social challenges. Mr. Lu reaffirmed US support for safeguarding Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking at the event, highlighted that Sri Lanka’s political culture significantly influences corruption and waste. He emphasized that efforts are underway to reduce these issues by fostering a new and improved political culture.
The President also spoke about initiatives to uplift rural living standards through improvements to the rural economy and efforts to establish a modern civil service by enhancing the quality of public services.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Julie Chung, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Ms. Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Pacific at the U.S. Department of Treasury Mr. Robert Kaproth, USAID Mission Director Gabriel Grau and Counsellor for Political and Economic Affairs Ms. Shawn Gray, among others.
Paterson, Bavuma and Stubbs put South Africa in driver’s seat
South Korean president survives impeachment vote
US pledges unwavering support for Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Drive
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