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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

The Li Ka Shing Foundation and the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort are providing 5,000 domestic helpers with a free visit to the theme park. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Foundation gifts 5,000 Disneyland tickets to domestic helpers

Expanded charity scheme will treat workers from six nations to free day at the theme park with meals and transport covered.

3 hours ago

South Korea

Outrage in South Korea over ‘importing virgins’ proposal to raise birth rate

5 Feb 2026 - 1:48PM

Pakistan

Pakistan bats away India match but stays in T20 World Cup

2 Feb 2026 - 9:52AM

Ukraine war

The foreigners who fought for Russia, now stuck in POW limbo in Ukraine

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

30 Jan 2026 - 4:32PM

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

Bangladesh

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

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

29 Jan 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

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

Beating logistical chaos and searing heat for a place in World Book of Records, Rahul Sharma also raises over HK$104,000 for children’s charity.

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

An aerial photograph shows extensive flooding in Kuala Simpang, Indonesia’s Aceh province, on Friday following heavy rains. Photo: Reuters

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

A man moves relief supplies delivered by a Navy helicopter in an area affected by deadly flash floods in Palembayan, Agam regency, West Sumatra province, Indonesia, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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

Malaysian Tamil rapper Yogi B is credited with helping create the genre. Photo: Handout

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

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Sri Lanka

Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Foundation gifts 5,000 Disneyland tickets to domestic helpers

Expanded charity scheme will treat workers from six nations to free day at the theme park with meals and transport covered.

Outrage in South Korea over ‘importing virgins’ proposal to raise birth rate

Pakistan bats away India match but stays in T20 World Cup

The foreigners who fought for Russia, now stuck in POW limbo in Ukraine

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

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

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

Beating logistical chaos and searing heat for a place in World Book of Records, Rahul Sharma also raises over HK$104,000 for children’s charity.

.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.

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