World

Sri Lanka opposition leader says new mandate required to ensure stability

Sri Lanka needs a new elected government to provide policy stability as it faces its worst economic crisis in generations, according to the leader of the main opposition party.

“It’s time for a mandate, a fresh mandate,” Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party said in a Bloomberg interview.

“People don’t want elections, they want solutions. But at the end of the day to resolve this gridlock, I think a fresh mandate is the only answer.”

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The South Asian island nation has been in the worst economic tailspin of its independent history, with shortages of everything from fuel to medicine, power outages and inflation seen rising to 40 percent prompting angry protests and turning into political risk for the ruling Rajapaksa family. The protesters and opposition have over the past months been demanding that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa step down and for the constitution to be amended to curtail the sweeping powers of his office.

“We are worried about the people’s suffering and the priority is securing “basic amenities for people to live,” Premadasa said.

“Most importantly, we need to have policy stability. We need to have some coherence with regard to our principles and fundamentals.”

Sri Lanka is currently negotiating for a bailout program with the International Monetary Fund, key to securing urgently needed funds from other lenders as well, and for restructuring its debt after defaulting for the first time.

Sri Lanka’s premier aants IMF program in place by mid-June

While side-stepping calls for his ouster, Rajapaksa earlier this month appointed long-time opponent Ranil Wickremesinghe to run the government as the largely peaceful protests took a violent turn.

Wickremesinghe, viewed as something of a political survivor and having served as premier multiple times, was only able to return as lawmaker in 2021 through a system where parties with enough votes can nominate a member even without securing parliamentary seats.

Rajapaksa also appointed Wickeremesinghe as finance minister after opposition parties refused to take cabinet roles in a so-called unity government.

“Just because you conjure up, poach and formulate one’s own so-called multi-party government, do you get ideological coherence? Premadasa said, criticizing Rajapaksa’s moves.

“This is a mish mash; a political marriage of convenience, for ones own political survival.”

The new prime minister, who said Sri Lankan citizens could face hard times until February including a scarcity of food, is also trying to contain anger against Rajapaksa by pushing through an amendment to the country’s constitution, which is expected to trim the wide-ranging powers of the president’s office. Wickremesinghe will speak on the planned amendment on Sunday.

The outcome of the amendments would follow discussions among lawmakers, Wickremesinghe said in a Bloomberg interview on May 26, adding that he was hoping for “the broadest possible support” among parties.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has already raised questions about the extent to which the amendments will scale back the sweeping powers that Rajapaksa gave to his office shortly after he returned to power in 2019.

“Tackling the economic and political crisis have to go together,” Premadasa said.

“You can’t have this sort of decision making being further perpetuated because it may be the cause of many more crises.”

Sri Lanka hikes fuel prices to record high amid crisis

Sri Lankan medicine shortage a death sentence for some, doctors say

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM