Page 19 - Sri Lanka

Free trade agreement with India by year-end: Sri Lankan foreign minister

Sri Lanka on Tuesday said it has plans to establish a free trade agreement with India by the end of 2024, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said here as the cash-strapped island nation tries to spur economic growth. Similar Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) would be worked out for Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China too by the year's end, Sabry told reporters here. These agreements will open up new markets for the cash-strapped Sri Lankan businesses, contributing directly to the nation's economic growth. The government continues to struggle to restructure its external debt on the one hand and has raised utility rates and taxes on the other. Sri Lanka and India resumed talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement in Colombo at the 12th round in October last year. The original talks were stalled after several rounds of talks between 2016 and 2018 due to political and trade union opposition. Last week, Sri Lanka inked an FTA with Thailand. This has already provided Sri Lanka acc

12 Tamil Nadu fishermen released from Sri Lanka, 11 still held in detention

"They were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing near Delft island, and subsequently taken to Myalati Naval Camp, Jaffna for further investigation," an official stated

Sri Lanka arrests 23 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in its waters

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 23 Indian fishermen and seized two trawlers for allegedly poaching in the island nation's waters, according to an official statement here. The fishermen were arrested, and their two trawlers were seized on Saturday north of the Delft Island, Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a press release on Sunday. The 23 apprehended fishermen and their two trawlers were escorted to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for further action, it said. "The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters on the night of February 3, 2024. The operation resulted in the seizure of 2 Indian trawlers and the apprehension of 23 Indian nationals poaching in the northern waters of Sri Lanka, off the Delft Island in Jaffna, the statement said. The Navy conducts regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign fishing ...

Sri Lanka's Marxist party to make official visit to India on Monday

A delegation of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a MarxistLeninist communist party in Sri Lanka, will on Monday start on an official visit to India. The delegation of JVP, the largest party under the broad entity National People's Power (NPP), is to leave Colombo tomorrow (Monday) for India on an official invitation of the Indian government," a statement from the party said. The delegation to India comprises JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, senior legislator Vijitha Herath, Secretary Nihal Abeysinghe and executive committee member Prof Anil Jayantha, the statement said. The JVP, which led an anti-India campaign in 1987-90 against the Indo-Lanka Accord, has continuously led in at least one public opinion poll. Its NPP broader front has led in surveys, leaving the island nation's main parties trailing. The surveys claim that in the post-economic crisis phase since 2022, the NPP has gained significantly in public support, particularly in anti-corruption perceptions. Dissanayake

SL achieved economic recovery due to citizens' support: Wickremesinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday said Sri Lanka has achieved progress in its economic recovery process due to the steadfast support of citizens to a comprehensive long-term national rebuilding programme despite facing hardships. Addressing the 75th anniversary of independence celebrations held here, Wickremesinghe said when the country marked Independence Day last year it was labelled bankrupt. He said progress had been achieved in the economic recovery bid owing to the steadfast support of our citizens who endured hardships in keeping with a comprehensive long-term national rebuilding programme. If we go on this road, the difficulties will fade away. The cost of living will become lighter. The economy will become stronger," Wickremesinghe stressed. Sri Lanka in April 2022 declared its first ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis led Wickremesinghe's predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office through a campaign of public agitat

India proposes supplying LNG to our power facilities: Sri Lanka's minister

'In the efforts to expedite the process to generate power from LNG the Government of India has proposed an interim solution from Petronet LNG,' Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said

Sri Lanka's key inflation rises to 6.4% in January on higher sales tax

Food prices rose 3.3% in January from 0.3% in December, the Department of Census and Statistics said in a statement. Prices for non-food items rose 7.9% in January from 5.8% year-on-year in December

Reliance's Jio, Gortune pre-qualify for Sri Lanka Telecom stake bid: Report

This is a part of Sri Lanka's efforts to reduce government stake in state-owned firms under the $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme

US shows concern over Sri Lanka's controversial internet regulation law

The United States expressed concerns over Sri Lanka's online regulation bill on Thursday, a day after it passed overwhelmingly in Parliament over protests by the media, opposition and rights activists. The Online Safety bill allows the government to set up a commission with a wide range of powers, including ordering people and internet service providers to remove online posts deemed prohibited statements. It can also legally pursue people who publish such posts. Julie Chung, the US ambassador in Sri Lanka, said the United States has concerns about the potential impact of the legislation and urged Sri Lanka to prioritise transparency and ensure any legislation does not stifle the voices of its people . In addition to jeopardizing democratic values, vague and overly restrictive legislation can hinder investment and the development of a digital economy, undermining the economic growth that Sri Lanka needs, Chung said in a statement posted on her X account. Critics say the law is an ..

SL arrests 18 more Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in its waters

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 18 Indian fishermen and seized their trawlers for allegedly poaching in the island nation's waters, an official statement said on Wednesday, in the third such incident this month. The fishermen were arrested, and their two trawlers seized on Tuesday off the coast of Mannar in the northeast, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a press release. The 18 apprehended fishermen were escorted to the Thalpadu Pier in Mannar and will be handed over to the Talaimannar Fisheries Inspector for further action, it said. On Sunday, as many as ten Indian fishermen were arrested, and their trawler seized for allegedly poaching in the island nation's waters, while 12 Indian fishermen were apprehended on Saturday. The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters. T

Stalin writes to EAM to secure release of detained fishermen in Sri Lanka

'I would like to draw your attention to the apprehension of 12 fishermen and three fishing boats by the Sri Lankan Navy on January 13,' CM Stalin stated in the letter

Japan awaits Sri Lanka's debt restructuring to resume stalled projects

The visiting Japanese Finance Minister Suzuki Shunichi on Friday expressed hope that the ongoing debt restructuring in cash-strapped Sri Lanka could be finalised soon for Japan to resume its stalled projects in the island nation. Shunichi, who is on a two-day visit, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe and emphasised the value of transparent and comparable debt restructuring. The bilateral relationship was under stress for a period with Sri Lanka's unilateral cancellation of a Japanese-funded project in 2020. He (Shunichi) has assured that the recent suspension of Yen loans due to Sri Lanka's debt crisis could be reversed pending the conclusion of an MoU at the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) and continued debt sustainability monitored by the IMF, a statement from the President's office said. The President expressed profound appreciation for Japan's lead role in addressing Sri Lanka's debt issues. The talks encompassed future collaborations, emphasising areas such as information ...

India, Sri Lanka discuss early launch of UPI payment system in country

Six months after it was announced by the prime ministers of both countries, India has discussed the early launch of the UPI payment system with Sri Lanka and reiterated its support in the cash-strapped island nation's debt restructuring process. In July 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe signed an agreement on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Sri Lanka during Wickremesinghe's two-day visit to India. The latest discussion took place on Monday during a meeting between the High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha with the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe. High Commissioner reiterated that #India will continue to be a steadfast partner in Lanka's economic recovery in his meeting with @CBSL Governor. Discussed early launch of UPI payment system in SL, growth in INR trade settlements, and India's support in Lanka's debt restructuring process, said a post on X by the High Commissioner of India

India to help Sri Lanka with upgradation of railways; to cost $91.27 mn

India and Sri Lanka have together launched multiple works costing USD 91.27 million across the island nation to upgrade the railway network which will enhance the mobility of goods and services and boost economic activity. Sri Lanka's Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr Bandula Gunawardena and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha ceremonially launched the multiple works on Sunday, a release from the office of the High Commission of India said here. Minister of Transport Gunawardena thanked India for the support extended to Sri Lanka, especially in the transport sector. The Indian High Commissioner expressed happiness that as a long-standing development partner of Sri Lanka, India had executed projects for the development and rehabilitation of Sri Lanka's Northern and Southern Railway line over the past several years in line with the priorities and requirements of the Government of Sri Lanka. Jha also underscored the importance of the modernisation of ..

Sri Lanka Navy ready to send ship to Red Sea to protect merchant vessels

The Sri Lanka Navy on Monday said it is ready to send a naval ship to the Red Sea to combat the threat to merchant vessel lines by Houthi rebels, joining countries such as India, in protecting the key waterway for global trade. The announcement comes following last week's orders of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had declared the cost as Rs 250 million every fortnight. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched more than 20 attacks on merchant ships in recent weeks, claiming to take revenge against Israel for its military campaign against Palestinian terror group Hamas in Gaza. These attacks have sharply raised goods' transportation costs between Asia and Europe. Newswire Lanka quoted Navy spokesman Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya as saying that but the exact date of deployment is yet to be confirmed. The vessels would be covering the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and connected sea lanes. Captain Wickramasuriya went on to say that initially one ship would be deployed as pa

India, Sri Lanka agree to expedite action on projects to boost relations

India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha met Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry and agreed to expedite various projects that will provide positive momentum to the India-Sri Lanka partnership.Sharing on his social media X, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha stated, "Very pleased and honoured to have my first call on Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka HE @alisabrypcNoted the extraordinary warmth in India-Sri Lanka ties and agreed that expeditious action on various projects is important to keep the strong positive momentum in our partnership."Earlier on Thursday, Santosh Jha held a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and discussed ways and means to further enhance bilateral cooperation.In a post shared on X, Sabry said, "Pleased to have received the newly appointed High Commissioner of #India to #SriLanka Santosh Jha this morning. Recalling deep-rooted civilizational links between #SriLanka & #India, we discussed ways ...

Will deploy naval vessel in Red Sea to fight Houthi attacks: Sri Lanka Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced that Sri Lanka will provide a Navy vessel to fight attacks by Houthi rebels on merchant ships in the Red Sea, joining countries like India in protecting the key waterway for global trade. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched more than 20 attacks on merchant ships in recent weeks, claiming to take revenge against Israel for its military campaign against Palestinian terror group Hamas in Gaza. These attacks have sharply raised goods costs between Asia and Europe. Addressing an award ceremony here on Wednesday, Wickremesinghe, who holds the defence ministry portfolio, noted that merchant shipping was hit by Houthi attacks at the Red Sea and said if the ships were to be diverted and re-routed around South Africa, the voyages would become much more expensive. This could create (an) escalation of the cost of goods. "So we have agreed to send a Naval vessel to combat Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, he said. The Houthis, who control most

Sri Lanka raises fuel retail prices by Rs 20; first under new VAT hike

The Sri Lankan government raised retail fuel prices by Rs 20 effective from Monday in its monthly revision, making it the first retail price hike of any commodity under the imposition of new Value-Added Tax rates. The government revises fuel prices monthly based on the exchange rate of the US dollar and the global oil market prices. However, Monday's hike was purely a result of the new VAT rates. Sri Lanka's VAT rate has been increased by three per cent from Monday for the band, which was previously taxed at 15 per cent, while most VAT-exempt items have been brought under 18 per cent in a highly unpopular move. Last month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the release of the second tranche worth USD 337 million to the cash-strapped island nation, bringing the value of disbursements to USD 670 million in the four-year facility. With its reforms, the IMF programme meant that the government set cost-based tariffs for utilities, while several rate hikes on electricity ...

Lanka needs to stick to IMF programme to overcome crisis: Central bank guv

Sri Lanka's bankrupt economy has "no alternative" but to stick to the current USD 2.9 billion IMF bailout programme, central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghem has said. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the release of the second tranche worth USD 337 million to Sri Lanka earlier this month. Weerasinghe was responding to queries if the island nation was open to renegotiating the terms of the four-year programme on the back of claims by opposition parties that they would renegotiate conditions for the IMF's USD 2.9 billion bailout package. There is no alternative. The fact that we attempted alternatives was why we are here (bankruptcy) now, Weerasinghe told reporters on Friday. We have to go in the same path, say, if the period of debt restructuring allowed is 10 years if they (opposition) want to change it, the creditors can say, we don't support this anymore. If we were to leave the programme, we will have to pay USD 6 billion a year in repayments, Weerasinghe ...

2023 Rewind: India helps Sri Lanka reel out of its debt-trapped economy

As Sri Lanka and India marked their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023, New Delhi has again emerged as a steadfast ally of Colombo, playing a pivotal role in the debt-trapped island nation's steady economic recovery. When the unprecedented economic turmoil struck Sri Lanka last year, India swiftly extended a lifeline to the country with assistance of over USD 4 billion, surpassing the International Monetary Fund's 48-month bailout of about USD 3 billion. The timely financial support from India was a testament to the strong bond between the two countries. Sri Lanka, acknowledging India's role, successfully navigated the IMF negotiations in March this year, crediting India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her role during the early stages of discussions with the global lender. A significant development was Sri Lanka's decision to utilise the first tranche of USD 330 million of the IMF bailout to repay Indian loans. This underscored India's patience and generosity