Speaking Of Asia

Is Beijing the bull in Sri Lanka's China shop?

Majoritarianism and geopolitics can be an incendiary mix, as Sri Lanka should know.

On May 20, the Sri Lankan government got Parliament to pass a hugely controversial Bill on the China-built Port City Colombo. PHOTO: AFP
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Two events last week that relate to Sri Lanka - one that passed almost unnoticed and the other that got prominent press coverage - have relevance to the past and future of the teardrop-shaped island in South Asia whose startling beauty gave us the word serendipity.

On May 20, the Sri Lankan government got Parliament to pass a hugely controversial Bill on the China-built Port City Colombo, after taking into account amendments suggested by the Supreme Court that heard more than a dozen petitions challenging the legislation. A total of 149 MPs in the 225-seat house backed the Bill.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.