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Sri Lanka

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Sri Lanka. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Colombo

Head of State

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Head of Government

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Prisoners of war at a detention centre in western Ukraine. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

The foreign POWS who fought for Russia, now stuck in Ukraine prison limbo

Captured foreigners describe journeys from joining the Russian side to a Ukrainian jail with no way home.

2 minutes ago

Bangladesh

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

29 Jan 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Ex-Hong Kong cricketer completes charity run across Sri Lanka in record 6½ days

17 Jan 2026 - 6:07PM

From our archives

On This Day | Drama in Hong Kong’s first international marathon in 1969 – SCMP archive

Ahead of Sunday’s Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon, we look back at Hong Kong’s first international marathon, more than 55 years ago.

17 Jan 2026 - 3:30PM

Runners taking part in the Tin Tin international marathon at Yuen Long Stadium in the New Territories on December 14, 1969. Photo: SCMP

Internet

‘Show your kinky side’: Sri Lanka probes syllabus error linking to gay site

Education chief quits as police probe ‘Bad Boys Club’ link in 400,000 English text books – since recalled. Officials suspect sabotage, AI errors.

2 Jan 2026 - 5:05PM

Extreme weather

Letters | Asia is not built for extreme weather. This must change

Readers discuss the urban planning features essential to climate resilience, the demise of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, and the Legislative Council election.

19 Dec 2025 - 11:30AM

Indonesia

627 dead in Sri Lanka landslides as rains batter South, Southeast Asia

At least 1,812 people have been killed in the natural disasters rolling across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

7 Dec 2025 - 7:45PM

An aerial view of flooded Niyamgamdora, Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Indonesia

Indonesia’s flood death toll hits 908, hundreds still missing

The governor of hard-hit Aceh warns starvation has become the gravest threat to survivors in remote villages cut off by the devastation.

6 Dec 2025 - 7:23PMvideocam

Climate change

Editorial | Asia’s floods a deadly reminder of need to combat growing climate threat

Devastating flooding and landslides have focused attention on disaster preparedness efforts as rising temperatures threaten the region.

4 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

Extreme weather

Asia’s floods kill over 1,000, lay bare human cost of climate inaction

From Indonesia’s deadliest disaster since 2018 to a state of emergency in Sri Lanka, Asia reels from a week of climate-fuelled destruction.

3 Dec 2025 - 5:45PMvideocam

Indonesia

Soldiers deployed in Sri Lanka, Indonesia as Asian flood toll tops 1,000

Indonesia sent three warships carrying aid while Sri Lanka used military helicopters to reach people stranded by flooding.

2 Dec 2025 - 4:21PMvideocam

Army personnel ride a truck carrying boats to rescue stranded people in Wellampitiya, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Indonesia

Flood death tolls rise in Indonesia, Sri Lanka as aid trickles in

Flooding has killed hundreds in both countries and displaced thousands, as damaged roads and downed power lines hamper rescue efforts.

1 Dec 2025 - 4:40PMvideocam

Extreme weather

153 dead, 191 missing in Sri Lanka after cyclone wreaks havoc

The nation has appealed for international aid after the devastating Cyclone Ditwah caused most rivers and reservoirs to overflow.

29 Nov 2025 - 11:46PM

Food and Drinks

The rich history of cinnamon, from Ceylon to Cinnabon

A spice derived from the dried inner bark of evergreen trees, cinnamon’s warmth and versatility shine in sweet and savoury dishes alike.

22 Nov 2025 - 7:00AM

The US chain Cinnabon uses Makara cinnamon from Indonesia for its buns. Photo: Handout

Japan

Tokyo government ordered to pay US$247,970 in damages in Nepal man’s death

The court found that unreasonable force used by police led to Arjun Bahadur Singh’s death in 2017 while in custody.

21 Nov 2025 - 4:00PM

Arjun Bahadur Singh was arrested in 2017 and lost consciousness during questioning. Photo: Newsnepalaya

Hong Kong society

Ex-Hong Kong youth cricketer to run length of Sri Lanka for child cancer charity

Rahul Sharma to test endurance with 574km run to help raise at least A$20,000 for Sydney-based Children’s Cancer Institute.

2 Nov 2025 - 4:35PM

The Philippines

Has Philippines lost world’s trust over flood-control corruption scandal?

Stories of Filipinos being turned away in Oslo over ‘money-laundering issues’ point to a bigger problem of market confidence, analysts say.

9 Oct 2025 - 3:40PMvideocam

India

Opinion | India’s diplomatic weight is best exercised closest to its borders

New Delhi’s geopolitical strength comes not from looking East or West but from its ability to stabilise its own neighbourhood.

8 Oct 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How joining the RCEP will boost Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector

From supply chain alignment to financial services, the city’s membership would undoubtedly add value to its long-standing economic partners.

7 Oct 2025 - 9:30AM

Tourism

Why Hongkongers should venture beyond travel comfort zones like Japan

A Hong Kong psychiatrist explains how travel offers mental and emotional benefits, especially to countries that offer new life perspectives.

1 Oct 2025 - 5:15PM

Malaysia

Drug-resistant sepsis threatens newborns across Southeast Asia, study warns

Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria driving nearly 80 per cent of sepsis cases in newborns in a number of Asian nations.

30 Sep 2025 - 10:25PMvideocam

Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria driving nearly 80 per cent of sepsis cases in newborns in five Southeast Asian countries. Photo: Shutterstock

Singapore

Singapore ship pays just US$1 million in US$1 billion pollution case

The owners of the MV X-Press Pearl, which caused a major disaster, argued paying the fine would ‘set a dangerous precedent’ for global shipping.

24 Sep 2025 - 8:06PM

The MV X-Press Pearl sank off Colombo Port in June 2021. Photo: Sri Lanka Air Force/AFP

Malaysia

Straight outta Brickfields: how Malaysia gave the world Tamil rap

A new sound for a new generation, Tamil rap has gone from Kuala Lumpur subculture to global phenomenon.

24 Aug 2025 - 5:05PMvideocam

Crime

Sri Lanka's ex-president rushed to intensive care after arrest

A hospital official reported that Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has severe diabetes, was admitted for high blood pressure, and is in ‘stable’ condition.

23 Aug 2025 - 10:16PM

India

Apple’s India push faces hurdle as Foxconn recalls 300 Chinese staff

The recall of engineers is the second in recent months, and comes as Beijing reportedly curbs tech exports to prevent manufacturing departures.

23 Aug 2025 - 9:46PM

Apple’s supply chain expansion could be affected by Foxconn’s recall of 300 Chinese engineers from India. Photo: Shutterstock

Crime

Sri Lankan ex-president arrested over misuse of state funds

The arrest of Ranil Wickremesinghe marks the first time a former Sri Lankan head of state has been detained.

22 Aug 2025 - 6:57PM

Ranil Wickremesinghe addresses supporters during an election rally in Colombo in August 2024. Photo: AFP

China exports

China’s shipments of major fertiliser surge 600%, signalling softer export curbs

Demand for the chemical is set to grow further in the coming months, as Beijing’s thaw with India paves way for exports to resume.

21 Aug 2025 - 6:15PM

Thailand

Thailand turns to Sri Lanka for labour amid Cambodian exodus due to border row

Thailand relies on 3 million foreign labourers, mostly from Cambodia, but a recent border conflict resulted in 400,000 Cambodian workers returning home.

19 Aug 2025 - 6:59PMvideocam

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Sri Lanka

The foreign POWS who fought for Russia, now stuck in Ukraine prison limbo

Captured foreigners describe journeys from joining the Russian side to a Ukrainian jail with no way home.

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Ex-Hong Kong cricketer completes charity run across Sri Lanka in record 6½ days

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}On This Day | Drama in Hong Kong’s first international marathon in 1969 – SCMP archive

Ahead of Sunday’s Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon, we look back at Hong Kong’s first international marathon, more than 55 years ago.

‘Show your kinky side’: Sri Lanka probes syllabus error linking to gay site

Education chief quits as police probe ‘Bad Boys Club’ link in 400,000 English text books – since recalled. Officials suspect sabotage, AI errors.

Letters | Asia is not built for extreme weather. This must change

Readers discuss the urban planning features essential to climate resilience, the demise of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, and the Legislative Council election.

627 dead in Sri Lanka landslides as rains batter South, Southeast Asia

At least 1,812 people have been killed in the natural disasters rolling across Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Indonesia’s flood death toll hits 908, hundreds still missing

The governor of hard-hit Aceh warns starvation has become the gravest threat to survivors in remote villages cut off by the devastation.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Asia’s floods a deadly reminder of need to combat growing climate threat

Devastating flooding and landslides have focused attention on disaster preparedness efforts as rising temperatures threaten the region.

Asia’s floods kill over 1,000, lay bare human cost of climate inaction

From Indonesia’s deadliest disaster since 2018 to a state of emergency in Sri Lanka, Asia reels from a week of climate-fuelled destruction.

Soldiers deployed in Sri Lanka, Indonesia as Asian flood toll tops 1,000

Indonesia sent three warships carrying aid while Sri Lanka used military helicopters to reach people stranded by flooding.

Flood death tolls rise in Indonesia, Sri Lanka as aid trickles in

Flooding has killed hundreds in both countries and displaced thousands, as damaged roads and downed power lines hamper rescue efforts.

153 dead, 191 missing in Sri Lanka after cyclone wreaks havoc

The nation has appealed for international aid after the devastating Cyclone Ditwah caused most rivers and reservoirs to overflow.

The rich history of cinnamon, from Ceylon to Cinnabon

A spice derived from the dried inner bark of evergreen trees, cinnamon’s warmth and versatility shine in sweet and savoury dishes alike.

Tokyo government ordered to pay US$247,970 in damages in Nepal man’s death

The court found that unreasonable force used by police led to Arjun Bahadur Singh’s death in 2017 while in custody.

Ex-Hong Kong youth cricketer to run length of Sri Lanka for child cancer charity

Rahul Sharma to test endurance with 574km run to help raise at least A$20,000 for Sydney-based Children’s Cancer Institute.

Has Philippines lost world’s trust over flood-control corruption scandal?

Stories of Filipinos being turned away in Oslo over ‘money-laundering issues’ point to a bigger problem of market confidence, analysts say.

Opinion | India’s diplomatic weight is best exercised closest to its borders

New Delhi’s geopolitical strength comes not from looking East or West but from its ability to stabilise its own neighbourhood.

Opinion | How joining the RCEP will boost Hong Kong’s role as a superconnector

From supply chain alignment to financial services, the city’s membership would undoubtedly add value to its long-standing economic partners.

Why Hongkongers should venture beyond travel comfort zones like Japan

A Hong Kong psychiatrist explains how travel offers mental and emotional benefits, especially to countries that offer new life perspectives.

Drug-resistant sepsis threatens newborns across Southeast Asia, study warns

Researchers found antibiotic-resistant bacteria driving nearly 80 per cent of sepsis cases in newborns in a number of Asian nations.

Singapore ship pays just US$1 million in US$1 billion pollution case

The owners of the MV X-Press Pearl, which caused a major disaster, argued paying the fine would ‘set a dangerous precedent’ for global shipping.

Straight outta Brickfields: how Malaysia gave the world Tamil rap

A new sound for a new generation, Tamil rap has gone from Kuala Lumpur subculture to global phenomenon.

Sri Lanka's ex-president rushed to intensive care after arrest

A hospital official reported that Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has severe diabetes, was admitted for high blood pressure, and is in ‘stable’ condition.

Apple’s India push faces hurdle as Foxconn recalls 300 Chinese staff

The recall of engineers is the second in recent months, and comes as Beijing reportedly curbs tech exports to prevent manufacturing departures.

Sri Lankan ex-president arrested over misuse of state funds

The arrest of Ranil Wickremesinghe marks the first time a former Sri Lankan head of state has been detained.

China’s shipments of major fertiliser surge 600%, signalling softer export curbs

Demand for the chemical is set to grow further in the coming months, as Beijing’s thaw with India paves way for exports to resume.

Thailand turns to Sri Lanka for labour amid Cambodian exodus due to border row

Thailand relies on 3 million foreign labourers, mostly from Cambodia, but a recent border conflict resulted in 400,000 Cambodian workers returning home.

On This Day | Drama in Hong Kong’s first international marathon in 1969 – SCMP archive

Editorial | Asia’s floods a deadly reminder of need to combat growing climate threat