The 75th anniversary of Sri Lankan independence

Sri Lanka is marking the 75th anniversary of its independence from Britain, but for most of the population there is little to celebrate given the dire economic crisis that has seen the country default on its loans. Last year was tumultuous - to put it mildly - with massive protests that unseated the president.

Also in the programme: Pope Francis visits South Sudan; and Beijing has called for cool heads to prevail amid American anger over the intrusion of a Chinese observation balloon into US airspace.

Joining Audrey Brown to discuss this and more are Chris Brown, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's European correspondent based in London; and Kate Clark, Co-Director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

(Photo: A group of anti-government protesters stage a silent protest against the state independence day celebration in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 3 February 2023. Placards in the Sinhala language read "Where is the Freedom?". Credit: Chamila Karunarathne/EPA)