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Sri Lanka in talks with Israel to release Sumud flotilla member ...
Tuesday May 19, 2026 11:09 am Tuesday May 19, 2026 11:09 am ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s trade, exports, FDI agenda lack ambition and urgency, a Colombo-based think tank has said, with progress delays now more painful as global economic uncertainty worsens. The government should revive and accelerate Sri Lanka’s trade competitiveness, export, and foreign direct investment reform agenda, Centre for a Smart Future said, warning that delays will be more painful as Sri Lanka faces an unforgiving global economy. Progress across most areas has been slow, while global economic conditions have worsened, trade volatility has persisted, and pressures on Sri Lanka’s foreign earnings have intensified, the public policy think tank said. It urged private and public sector stakeholders to work together proactively to chart an ambitious path forward. The full statement is reproduced below: Sri Lanka’s Trade, Exports, FDI Agenda Lacking Ambition and Urgency, Warns Think Tank Says progress delays now more painful as global economic uncertainty worsens Welcomes ‘Export Development Plan’ efforts but cautions on implementation gaps Calls for more coherent FDI strategy and operationalising Economic Commission Colombo, Sri Lanka – May 18, 2026: Centre for a Smart Future (CSF) is calling on the government to urgently revive and accelerate Sri Lanka’s trade competitiveness, export, and foreign direct investment (FDI) reform agenda, warning that delays will be more painful as Sri Lanka faces an unforgiving global economy. One year after CSF published a Policy Note outlining eight priority trade and competitiveness reforms, the public policy think tank says that progress across most areas has been slow, while global economic conditions have worsened, trade volatility has persisted, and pressures on Sri Lanka’s foreign earnings have intensified. The think tank asserted that while the diagnosis around problems is well established and widely known, ambition and action continue to remain elusive and urged private and public sector stakeholders to work together proactively to chart an ambitious path forward. Other Asian economies are adopting very coordinated institutional measures and a very sophisticated policy approach to drive trade resilience and competitiveness and advised the Government to look at these examples to devise stronger mechanisms. Trade Competitiveness Stuck in Neutral Opening up new markets through more sophisticated commercial diplomacy and shrewd trade negotiations w...
Global Sumud Flotilla to resume Gaza voyage after detentions | The ...
The Global Sumud Flotilla announced it will resume its journey to Gaza from Turkey after Israeli forces intercepted the activist fleet near Crete and detained key organizers.Follow us on GoogleBoats taking part in a humanitarian flotilla depart for Gaza from Barcelona, Spain, April 12, 2026.(photo credit: NACHO DOCE/REUTERS)ByMICHAEL STARRMAY 13, 2026 17:10Updated: MAY 13, 2026 20:36The Global Sumud Flotilla will set sail anew from Turkey to Gaza on Thursday, GSF Steering Committee member Saif Abu Keshek announced on Wednesday during a press conference, following the Israeli Navy’s interception of the activist fleet and detainment of key figures.Abu Keshek, who had been detained last Thursday and deported on Sunday alongside GSF Steering Committee member Thiago Avila, said that a flotilla of 54 vessels and over 500 activists would be embarking from Marmaris.“We sail one day before the Nakba, not only to commemorate the anniversary of the Nakba, but to act on it,” said Abu Keshek.Activists released after detentionAbu Keshek and Avila had been released from Ashkelon’s Shikma detention facility on Sunday. The former had been held for questioning for his affiliation with the Hamas-linked Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, while the latter had been suspected of “illegal activity.”demonstrator speaks through a megaphone, as people gather in Parliament Square and march along Whitehall to protest and demand protection for the Global Sumud Flotilla, some of whose vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces while carrying aid and activists to Gaza, in London, October 2, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Jack Taylor)Avila had been deported to Sao Paulo and did not appear to be set to join the Thursday departure, speaking to supporters on Wednesday through video call.Abu Keshek and Avila were two of 175 activists on the 20 vessels intercepted near Crete on April 29, with almost all of the passengers deposited onto Greek shores with the coordination of the country’s government.GSF decried the incident as an act of piracy and launched an international media campaign to secure Abu Keshek and Avila’s release.Israel calls flotilla a propaganda stuntThe Foreign Ministry alleged that the flotilla was a propaganda stunt and that the ships were devoid of humanitarian aid.On April 26, 56 vessels had embarked from Italy on a voyage to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza, with the declared mission of raising awareness and mobilizing further activism against the blockade.Israel mai...
Sumud Flotilla to Sail from Turkey in Bid to Break Israeli Blockade on ...
Ships raising Palestinian flags as part of Global Sumud Flotilla (image from April 2026). An international flotilla carrying over 500 activists is set to depart from Turkey on Thursday in a renewed attempt to defy Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, despite prior interceptions and ongoing threats.
Israeli navy begins seizing Global Sumud Flotilla in international ...
A composite image shows the moment Israeli soldiers' intervention of the Global Sumud Fleet in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, May 18, 2026. (Photo via Global Sumud Fleet/HO) According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, Netanyahu convened a security meeting on Monday to formally authorize the Israeli military to seize the flotilla.
