An Echelon Media Company
Tuesday October 20th, 2026
World

No neat and clean return to the way things were: IMF

Global disruptions are testing how the world moves goods and people

May 1, 2026 2 min read

ADB downgrades Asia and Pacific growth outlook, raises inflation projections

Economies heavily reliant on imported fuel, remittances, tourism, or external financing

April 30, 2026 2 min read

US President gives press conference after shooting incident

He took the opportunity to make the case for the proposed new White House ballroom

April 26, 2026 1 min read

ADB calls for collective resilience amid economic uncertainty

“The priority is clear: keep economies running, strengthen domestic economies, and support regional cooperation to bui...

April 20, 2026 1 min read
US-Iran war pressures, but does not upend, global credit outlook

The global credit environment has deteriorated since Fitch Ratings’ last Global Credit Outlook, published in December....

SAARC chief urges regional unity to boost South Asian cooperation

SAARC Secretary General Golam Sarwar told RCSS “there remains great opportunity for regional unity to take center stag...

US govt shutdown highlights policymaking, governance challenges: Fitch

This week’s shutdown reflects disagreement on fiscal policy measures, notably previously enacted cuts to Medicaid

October 3, 2025 3 min read

Gaza clinics overflowing with starving kids, mothers as Israel blocks food: MSF

Malnutrition in Gaza is the result of deliberate, calculated choices by the Israeli authorities

August 4, 2025 2 min read

S&P affirms Bangladesh credit rating at B+

Bangladesh continues to implement reforms in line with a 42-month Extended Credit Facility, EFF

July 25, 2025 11 min read

S&P upgrades Pakistan credit rating to B- from CCC+

Downward pressure would emerge if financial support from key bilateral and multilateral partners quickly erodes,

July 25, 2025 10 min read

Trump brokers ceasefire between India and Pakistan

Indian and Pakistan Foreign Ministers confirmed the deal

May 10, 2025 3 min read

US cardinal Robert Prevost becomes new Pope Leo XIV

"We must be a church that builds bridges, dialogue," he said, before reciting a Hail Mary for world peace

May 8, 2025 1 min read

Afghanistan at the crossroads: Is it ready to move away from its security blackhole?

Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban government has not been a welcome guest at most forums.

Kshama Ranawana
April 21, 2025 5 min read

Pope Francis dies at 88, a day after Easter

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta,

April 21, 2025 2 min read

The challenge of establishing a politically self-reliant Tibet

Whatever happens in Tibet, impacts neighbouring countries

Kshama Ranawana
April 9, 2025 4 min read

Sri Lanka could seek stricter border controls, Australian help to deter refugee inflow: IPS

Rohingya fleeing Myanmar arriving in Sri Lanka, while Sri Lankan migrants trafficked to online crime camps in Myanmar

January 22, 2025 6 min read
Morning Briefing Gain clarity on the biggest stories of the day with our daily newsletter, Morning Briefing
Latest Last
US Dollar 330.8514 330.9617
UK Pound 438.3450 438.2595
Euro 371.0168 371.5045
Yen 2.0916 2.0943
Aus Dollar 231.1659 230.8789
Source: Central Bank/Indicative
Latest Last
Indian Rupee 3.4202 3.4195
Korean Won 0.2479 0.2467
Oman Rial 859.3320 859.6185
Saudi Riyal 88.0955 88.1577
UAE Dirham 90.0766 90.1066
Source: Central Bank/Indicative
pts %
S&P SL20 5,783.03 -0.10%
CSE All Share 20,260.06 -0.28%
Turnover Rs 1193.67 million 1050.46 million
Source: CSE
Latest Last
3-m bill 7.61 7.84
6-m bill 7.91 8.26
12-m bill 8.23 8.3
3-yr bond 9.24 9.25
5-yr bond 9.82 9.56
8-yr bond 10.50 10.48
Source: Central Bank/Indicative
today yesterday
Overnight Money 7.70 7.69
Gilt Repo 7.74 7.72
I-m SLIBOR - -
Source: Central Bank/Indicative

US President wows tariffs and tax, withdraws from WHO, gives Tiktok 75-days

Trump issues executive orders reversing 78 Biden era policies

January 21, 2025 1 min read

Syria's Russia-backed 53-year rule of Assad family ends

Weakening of Hizbollah and lack of support from Iran and Russia

December 8, 2024 3 min read

Sri Lanka welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

"We remain hopeful that the ceasefire will pave the way for enduring peace and stability in Lebanon and in the region,"

November 28, 2024 1 min read

Bhutan - Moving towards citizen engagement in policymaking

Citizen engagement is a fundamental pillar of democracy, and it contributes to shaping policies,

Kshama Ranawana
November 19, 2024 4 min read

Trump claims victory over Harris in US presidential election

"It's a political victory that our country has never seen before."

November 6, 2024 4 min read

US election gets under way

Americans headed to the polls to choose between current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

November 5, 2024 1 min read

Bangladesh PM Hasina resigns, flees to India after deadly protests: Media reports

International media draws parallels with Sri Lanka situation 2 years ago

August 5, 2024 2 min read

Biden drops out of Presidential race, endorses Harris

Democratic convention is yet to be held

July 22, 2024 2 min read

Vietnam mourns Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong

Vietnam newspapers published the online front pages in black and white after the Party Chiefs death

July 21, 2024 3 min read

Ex-US President Trump shot at in campaign rally

Bullet grazes Trump's ear

July 14, 2024 1 min read