Page 23 - Sri Lanka

US expresses concern to Lanka over Chinese research ship's planned visit

The US has expressed concern to Sri Lanka about the likely visit of a Chinese research ship next month that could also cause worries in India which in the past has raised security concerns over docking by China's spy vessels, according to a media report US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland, who met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, raised concerns about the upcoming visit of the Chinese research vessel 'SHI YAN 6', Daily Mirror newspaper reported on Monday. Minister Sabry briefed her that Sri Lanka, as a neutral country, had worked out the Standard Operating Procedure (SPO) to be followed by foreign ships and aircraft in carrying out any activity in Sri Lankan territory. The minister reportedly told her that Sri Lanka had been even-handed in this approach for all the countries and could not exclude China from the process as a result. Earlier, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that the SPO had been worked out

Rajiv Gandhi assassination: Steps taken for deportation of Lankan convicts

The Centre has informed the Madras High Court that it has taken steps to deport all the four Sri Lankans, convicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, to Sri Lanka. Foreigners Regional Registration Officer P Ve Arunshakthikumar, Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs stated this in his counter affidavit filed on Thursday, in response to a petition filed by S Nalini, one of the seven convicts ordered to be released by the Supreme Court last year. She had sought a direction to the authorities to release her husband Sriharan alias Murugan from the Special Camp (Foreigners Detention Centre), Tiruchirapally, to enable him to live with her in the city. In her petition, Nalini said when she was arrested she was pregnant, and her daughter was born on December 19, 1992 while she was detained in the Chengalpattu sub-jail. Her daughter was now married and living with her husband and child in London. Nalini submitted her daughter is a citizen of the United Kingdom and that Muruga

Mamata meets Sri Lankan prez at Dubai airport, invites him to WB biz summit

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at Dubai airport and invited him to the state business summit in November. Banerjee is on a 12-day trip to Dubai and Spain. The chief minister said that Wickremesinghe, seeing her at the airport lounge, called her to join for some discussion. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe saw me at the Dubai International Airport Lounge and called me to join for some discussion. I have been humbled by his greetings and (have) invited him to the Bengal Global Business Summit 2023 in Kolkata, she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Banerjee also said Wickremesinghe has invited her to visit the island country. HE the President of Sri Lanka extended cordial invitation to me to visit Sri Lanka. It was a pleasant interaction with deep implications, she added. Banerjee reached Dubai on Tuesday evening and was at the airport there this morning to board her flight to .

Asia Cup: SLC hope to keep Premadasa ready for Super 4, final despite rain

Despite rain prediction of varying intensity over the next fortnight here, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials on Wednesday remained optimistic about keeping the R Premadasa Stadium ready for the Asia Cup Super 4 matches and the title clash. The Sri Lanka-leg of Super 4 stage will start with a match between the hosts and Bangladesh on September 9, followed by the much-awaited game between India and Pakistan on September 10. The final will be played on September 17 here. "Yes, the predictions are for the rain. We had rains here this morning too, and it has made the wicket and areas near it a bit wet. "The outfield too has soaked in a good amount of water. But we are working hard, and we are confident of preparing the ground in time for the matches," said Godfrey Dabrera, the national curator of SLC. There were speculations of Super 4 matches and final getting moved out of Colombo because of the inclement weather, before the Asian Cricket Council decided to stick with the original cho

800 trailer: Muttiah Muralitharan's biopic sheds light on legendary spinner

The trailer for Sri Lankan cricketer Muthaiah Muralitharan's biopic '800' has been released, and the film chronicles the struggles of the best spinner in the history of cricket

SL to investigate claims of intelligence complicity in 2019 Easter bombing

Sri Lanka's government will appoint a parliamentary committee to investigate allegations made in a British television report that Sri Lankan intelligence had complicity in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 269 people. Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara told Parliament on Tuesday that details on the investigation will be announced soon. A man interviewed in the Channel 4 videos released Tuesday said he arranged a meeting between a local Islamic State-inspired group and a top state intelligence official to hatch a plot to create insecurity in Sri Lanka and enable Gotabaya Rajapaksa to win the presidential election later that year. Azad Maulana was a spokesman for a breakaway group of the Tamil Tiger rebels that later became a pro-state militia and helped the government defeat the rebels and win Sri Lanka's long civil war in 2009. Rajapaksa was a top defence official during the war, and his older brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, had been defeated in the 2015 elections after 10 .

UN to provide over $300 million to Sri Lanka for development projects

UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-Andre Franche congratulated the island nation for adopting the Anti-Corruption Act and the establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office

Sri Lanka plans to place Adani projects under 'govt-to-govt' deal

Its power ministry cites economic distress among reasons for the move

Sri Lanka Cricket suspends all board-run domestic competitions: Report

The timing of such clarification is unknown, with the only certainty at the moment being that the continuance of Sri Lanka's domestic cricket season is in the hands of the country's sports minister

Sri Lanka to import 92 mn eggs from India to stabilise local market prices

Sri Lanka will import 92.1 million eggs from India to counter the fluctuations in its prices and make them affordable to the consumers, the Cabinet spokesman said on Tuesday. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held here on Monday, Cabinet spokesman and mass media minister Bandula Gunawardena said. The State Trading Corporation had requested the government to allow the import of eggs from India amid concerns over shortages and market fluctuations. Gunawardena said the move is a strategic measure to stabilise domestic egg prices and maintain affordability for Sri Lankan consumers. Quotations have been called from three Indian companies recommended by the Department of Animal Products and Health, he said, adding that the orders are set to cover a three-month period. Sri Lanka has been relying on eggs from India since March when the island nation faced significant egg shortages due to the forex crisis affecting the import of animal feed. In response to the crisis, a decision

EAM calls for implementation of 13A in Lanka for addressing minority issues

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed hope for a reconciliation process that addresses the aspirations of the minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka for equality, justice and self-respect, as he highlighted the implementation of the 13 Amendment to the Constitution to achieve the objective. The remarks by Jaishankar came on Wednesday as he updated through a video message members of the India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association on bilateral relations. He also reiterated India's support for the preservation of Sri Lanka's multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-religious identity. Jaishankar expressed hope for a reconciliation process that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice and self-respect within the framework of a united and prosperous Sri Lanka. He highlighted a meaningful devolution of powers according to the 13th Amendment (13A) to the Constitution and early conduct of Provincial Council elections as being facilitative .

Proud of India's historic achievement: Lanka Prez on Chandrayaan-3 mission

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday said Sri Lanka was proud of India's historic achievement as he congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India over the success of the country's lunar mission Chandrayaan-3. India's Chandrayaan-3 on Wednesday became the first space mission to make a soft landing near the south pole of the Moon. President Ranil Wickremesinghe extended heartfelt congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Modi, team ISRO and the people of India for the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3, being a remarkable feat as it was the first on the lunar South Pole, the President's Office said in a statement. Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka is proud of India's historic achievement. Sri Lanka is proud of this historic and momentous achievement and noted that PM Modi's generous gesture of dedicating this accomplishment to all of mankind will inspire generations to pursue the advancement of science and technological progress, the statement added.

SL considering China's research ship docking; security concern for India?

Sri Lanka is currently processing a request by China to allow a research ship to dock in the country, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, a year after a visit by a Chinese spy vessel to the Island nation raised security concerns in India. The Chinese embassy here has made an application and the ministry is currently looking at it," Priyanga Wickramasingha, the foreign ministry spokesperson, told PTI. No dates have been fixed yet for the visit, she said. The Chinese research vessel 'SHI YAN 6' is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for marine research activities in October. Described as a Research/Survey Vessel with a carrying capacity of 1115 DWT, the current draught is reported to be 5.3 metres in length overall 90.6 metres and width 17 metres, The media here is abuzz that the foreign office here is in an awkward position about the request due to possible concerns being raised by India. The vessel is expected to undertake research jointly with the National Aquatic ...

Continuing attacks on fishermen by SL means Modi regime is 'weak': Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said the continued attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy shows the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "weak". Chairing a fishermen's welfare conference here, he reiterated that retrieval of Katchatheevu, an island ceded to Sri Lanka by way of mutual agreements in 1974, was the permanent solution for the plaguing fishermen issue. Stalin, who is the ruling DMK President, also said his father and late chief minister M Karunanidhi had provided a report that Katchatheevu belongs to India. The Chief Minister's reference regarding the ceding of the island comes days after PM Modi said it was the Indira Gandhi government which gave the Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka in 1974. Modi had also said the current DMK government in Tamil Nadu keeps writing to him urging to retrieve the island. Stalin further alleged attacks on Indian fishermen from the state by the Lankan navy has increased during the current NDA .

China assures SL of help in addressing debt challenges before IMF's review

Sri Lanka's largest bilateral creditor, China, has assured the island nation its help in effectively addressing the debt challenges as it has to finalise the external and domestic debt restructuring of a whopping USD 41 billion by September before the IMF's first review. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to conduct its first review of the USD 2.9 billion bailout granted to Sri Lanka in March this year from September 11-19. A release from the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday said Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee who met Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on the sidelines of the seventh China-South Asian Expo assured that it will help in effectively addressing the country's debt challenges. China is always Sri Lanka's reliable strategic partner and appreciates that Sri Lanka has always been friendly to China and has stood by China on issues .

Sri Lanka gets substitute maritime surveillance aircraft from India

India on Wednesday handed over to Sri Lanka a substitute for a Dornier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft, reaffirming its security ties with Colombo and bolstering the island nation's surveillance capabilities. The originally gifted Dornier-228 maritime surveillance aircraft is currently undergoing yearly maintenance in India. In a statement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office said that the aircraft was handed over to Sri Lanka by India at a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake. During the bilateral security discussions that transpired between India and Sri Lanka on January 9, 2018, in New Delhi, the potential acquisition of maritime surveillance aircraft akin to the Dornier type from India was brought to attention. The aim was to bolster Sri Lanka's capabilities in maritime surveillance, the statement said. "In response to Sri Lanka's request, the Indian government took proactive measures during these deliberations. They decided to provide a Donier-228

IMF sets mid-September dates for Sri Lanka's $2.9 billion bailout review

The IMF will conduct the first review of the USD 2.9 billion bailout to Sri Lanka from September 11-19, state minister of finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said on Saturday and declared that the country has successfully fulfilled the nine conditions set by the global lender. Sri Lanka was hit by its worst economic crisis in history when the country's foreign exchange reserves fell to a critical low and the public came out on the streets to protest the fuel, fertilisers as well as essential commodities shortage. The country has to finalise its external and domestic debt restructuring by September when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) carries out its first review of the USD 2.9 billion bailout granted in March this year. The eight-day review is to happen from September 11 to 19, Siyambalapitiya said. The central bank, the ministry of finance and the minister of finance would be involved in the review. We had to fulfil nine pre-conditions which we successfully did. The arrangement

Chinese warship docks in Colombo after delay caused by Indian concerns

A Chinese Navy warship capable of surveillance has docked at the Colombo port, nearly a year after another spy vessel berthed at a strategic port in the country and raised concerns in India. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arrived at the port of Colombo on Thursday, the Sri Lankan Navy said. The vessel is to leave on Saturday. The 129 metre-long ship which arrived in Colombo is manned by a crew of 138 and it is commanded by Commander Jin Xin. The ship is scheduled to depart the country tomorrow, the Navy statement said. According to media reports on Friday, Sri Lanka delayed its arrival upon concerns raised by India. "The Chinese authorities sought permission for it earlier, but Sri Lanka delayed permission because of resistance from India," the Daily Mirror newspaper reported. Despite a briefing by Sri Lanka to Indian officials, the latter remained concerned about the research ship's visit to the island nation. In August last year, a similar vis

Ideal time for Indian entities to invest in Sri Lanka: Minister Semasinghe

The Sri Lankan economy is stabilising faster than previously anticipated and it would be an ideal time for India to invest in the island nation, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said ahead of an industry event here on Friday. The minister said Sri Lanka has completed its debt optimisation programme approved by Parliament and in the next couple of weeks, it may conclude the process. "Our economy is stabilising faster than we anticipated. We are confident that with all the reform agenda in place, the economy will start growing by 2024," Semasinghe said here ahead of an industry event "Invest Sri Lanka". The event is hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). "Invest Sri Lanka" is a series of fora to promote foreign portfolio investment into the Sri Lankan Stock Market by showcasing investment opportunities in leading Sri Lankan-listed companies, according to a CII statement. The events are being held in key

Chinese Naval warship docks in Colombo port, to depart on Saturday

A Chinese Navy warship capable of surveillance has docked at the Colombo port, nearly a year after another spy vessel berthed at a strategic port in the country and raised concerns in India. The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy warship HAI YANG 24 HAO arrived at the port of Colombo on Thursday, the Sri Lankan Navy said. The vessel is to leave on Saturday. The 129 metre-long ship which arrived in Colombo is manned by a crew of 138 and it is commanded by Commander Jin Xin. The ship is scheduled to depart the country tomorrow, the Navy statement said. According to media reports on Friday, Sri Lanka delayed its arrival upon concerns raised by India. "The Chinese authorities sought permission for it earlier, but Sri Lanka delayed permission because of resistance from India," the Daily Mirror newspaper reported. Despite a briefing by Sri Lanka to Indian officials, the latter remained concerned about the research ship's visit to the island nation. In August last year, a similar vis