Rappler's latest stories on Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka cancels election rallies over new coronavirus wave
Authorities say a repatriation program that has brought home some 12,000 Sri Lankans from overseas so far would also be suspended
Sri Lanka slashes key interest rates to aid virus-hit economy
(UPDATED) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka says it wants to 'aggressively enhance lending to productive sectors of the economy,' which would boost support for businesses hit by the coronavirus
WHO declares Sri Lanka, Maldives measles-free
The declarations come amid measles outbreaks in developed countries, including the United States
Sri Lanka lifts coronavirus lockdown, says 'no community spread'
Authorities plan to reopen Sri Lanka's borders on August 1
Sri Lanka to reopen for tourism in August, with multiple coronavirus tests
Sri Lanka will implement strict guidelines for tourists when it allows arrivals again starting August 1
Traps snare 3 endangered leopards in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust calls for all snares to be banned, and those who set them to be prosecuted
Sri Lanka to reimpose selective lockdown after virus cases spike
Authorities will impose lockdowns on days when crowds are likely to form
No kissing the bride as Sri Lanka lifts weddings ban
Under new guidelines, there should be no more than 100 guests, all of whom must stay a meter apart and wear masks – including the happy couple
3 women crushed to death in Sri Lanka stampede for $8 handout
'People are desperate. When they heard about today's donation, over a thousand turned up,' says member of parliament Mujibur Rahman
Facebook apologizes for role in 2018 Sri Lanka unrest
Facebook says in a statement to Bloomberg News, 'We recognize, and apologize for, the very real human rights impacts that resulted'
Sri Lanka extends lockdown as virus cases spike
The government extends the lockdown order until May 4
Sri Lanka falls silent for Easter attack victims
The coronavirus pandemic forces the Roman Catholic leadership to call off elaborate services to honor the 279 people killed in the Easter Sunday attacks
Sri Lanka makes cremations compulsory for virus deaths, angering Muslims
Muslims make up 10% of the population in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka heads for snap polls as Rajapaksa tightens grip
The opposition faces a formidable challenge as it prevents Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from having sweeping powers to govern the country
Virus slows China's major projects in Asia
Many Chinese workers who left for the Lunar New Year holidays have not returned. Deliveries of supplies and equipment are also disrupted.
Sri Lanka calls on U.S. to reconsider barring army chief
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says Colombo was 'disappointed' with the decision
U.S. bans visits by Sri Lanka army chief over war crimes
'The allegations of gross human rights violations against Shavendra Silva, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are serious and credible,' says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Sri Lanka to probe aircraft deal after Airbus settlement
Investigators accuse Airbus of failing to prevent persons associated with the company from bribing directors or employees of the airline to 'obtain or retain business or advantage'
China coronavirus outbreak: How governments have reacted
From border closures to flight bans, here are some of the steps states have taken to limit the spread of the virus
Project fear: Misinformation spreads China virus panic
Misleading bat soup videos, vastly inflated death tolls, quack remedies, and vaccine conspiracies compound public fears and stoke racial stereotypes
The global spread of the coronavirus: Where is it?
(10th UPDATE) Here are the countries that have confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus
Double trouble: Too many show up for Sri Lanka twins record attempt
Organizers of Sri Lanka's try to break the Guinness World Record for largest gathering of twins are overwhelmed by unexpectedly large crowd
Sri Lanka shakes up intelligence agency after Easter attacks
It is the first time that a military officer has filled the position, and the appointment comes 3 weeks after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president promising better security
Sri Lanka's new president picks brother as Prime Minister
Mahinda Rajapaksa, a two-term president himself, is due to be sworn in as premier on Thursday following the resignation of Ranil Wickremesinghe
Symbolic swearing-in for Sri Lanka's new president
Having spearheaded the brutal end of the Tamil separatist war a decade ago, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a divisive figure but popular among his own majority Sinhalese-Buddhist community
'Terminator' Rajapaksa storms to victory in Sri Lanka election
(UPDATED) Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the younger brother of the charismatic but controversial ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa
Gunmen fire on buses carrying Muslim Sri Lankan voters
Such tactics are nothing new in Sri Lanka, which emerged from a horrific civil war only a decade ago
Rajapaksas eye comeback in Sri Lanka presidential election
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, brother of political heavyweight Mahinda Rajapaksa, may be elected into office
Outrage as Sri Lanka president pardons killer of Swedish teen
'Monstrous act by a failed president,' says a Twitter user condemning the pardon issued by outgoing Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena
Sri Lanka election chief censors state TV ahead of polls
This comes after the Independent Television Network aired a program that the election commission says had harmed the opposition frontrunner, who is also the brother of ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse
Sri Lanka faces costliest election, longest ballot paper
Thirty five candidates are running in the November 16 poll, the highest number in any single ballot
Sri Lanka's Rajapakse clan steps up new bid for power
Gotabhaya Rajapakse is frontrunner in the campaign for the November 16 election, even though his bid is widely seen as a front to get Mahinda back into power
Sri Lanka president abandons reelection bid
Two of ex-president Mahinder Rajapakse's brothers have paid deposits to be candidates
Sri Lanka orders fresh probe into Easter suicide bombings
The commission will have wide judicial powers to gather evidence on those responsible for the bombings, and to probe security and intelligence lapses
Sri Lanka court rejects Easter bomb murder charge against officials
Police Inspector General Pujith Jayasundara and former defense secretary Hemasiri Fernando are represented in court after being arrested last week on charges their negligence led to the attacks
Sri Lanka president vetoes military deal with U.S.
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena thumbs down a deal that would allow US troops access to the country's ports. Its strategic port in Hambantota is on a 99-year lease with China
Sri Lanka police chief arrested over Easter attacks failures
An official says Inspector-General Pujith Jayasundara and former defense secretary Hemasiri Fernando were at different hospitals undergoing treatment when detectives arrested them
Police chief faces crimes against humanity charge over Sri Lanka attacks
'Their negligence amounts to what is known under international law to be grave crimes against humanity,' says Attorney General Dappula de Livera
Top Sri Lanka defense official faces charges over Easter attacks
Hemasiri Fernando should be investigated for his failure to prevent or minimize the attacks, says Attorney General Dappula de Livera
Sri Lanka President seeks to roll back his political reforms
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena says the 19th amendment to the constitution 'has triggered instability' and led to a power struggle
Sri Lanka extends emergency in surprise move
There is no immediate word from the government on why President Maithripala Sirisena changed his mind on relaxing the tough laws imposed after the Easter Sunday attacks
Sri Lanka to charge police for 'lapses' over Easter attacks
Nine police officers will face 'criminal investigations' for failing to act on warnings ahead of the April 21 bombings on 3 churches and 3 hotels carried out by Islamic State-backed jihadists
Bombed Catholic church in Sri Lanka attacks reopens
Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith leads reconsecration of newly restored St Anthony's and says there were doubts whether the island could pull itself out of crisis after the coordinated suicide bombings on April 21
India's Modi makes unscheduled stop at bombed Sri Lanka church
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a detour to St Anthony's shrine on the way to President Maithripala Sirisena's office
Sri Lanka Muslim ministers resign en masse over Easter bombings
The resignations of 9 government legislators come after a Buddhist monk lawmaker supporting President Maithripala Sirisena demanded the sacking of 3 top Muslim politicians
Police chief blames president for failing to prevent Sri Lanka attacks
Inspector-General Pujith Jayasundara cites 'serious communication gaps' between intelligence agencies and security arms of the government, all which fall under Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena
Sri Lanka to relax emergency in a month – president
'The emergency was declared to deal with the immediate security situation. However, it will not be necessary to extend this any further,' says Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena
Sri Lanka detain nearly 100 in anti-Islamist swoops
Some 3,000 military personnel are deployed in and around the capital as well as other key towns for cordon-and-search activities
Sri Lanka extends emergency a month after suicide bombings
Sri Lanka's president issues a proclamation saying that the emergency will continue for another 30 days, citing 'public security'
Fake news rampant after Sri Lanka attacks despite social media ban
Social media, aside from being a communication tool, becomes a means to spread confusion and vitriol as the island struggles to come to terms with one of the worst terror attacks in its history
