Page 24 - Sri Lanka

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

Sri Lanka now offers many opportunities to Indian investors: Lankan FM

Sri Lanka has outperformed the IMF targets with the country becoming revenue surplus and the country is offering many opportunities for Indian investors, the island nation's Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said on Thursday. The Minister, in Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena's cabinet, said the Sri Lankan government has commenced negotiations to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). "Compared to the IMF target for the quarter, we have outperformed the set targets with the country's revenue now in surplus in the first quarter of 2023," he said at an event organised by CII. 2023 is "very crucial" for the island nation as the International Monetary Fund is scheduled to hold its review meeting in September, he said. "We are introducing the Public Finance Management Act by December 2023 and other legislation bringing in robust fiscal rules and disciplines on fiscal transparency," he said. "In one of the many firsts, our government has commenced negotiations

India hands over Rs 45 cr to Sri Lanka to fund digital identity project

India has handed over INR 450 million in advance to Sri Lanka to fund its unique digital identity project, the most crucial step in the island nation's digitalisation programme being implemented through the Indian grant assistance. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office here said that the fund from the government of India was given on Friday. During a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, key stakeholders, including Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, State Minister of Technology, Kanaka Herath, Indian High Commissioner, Gopal Bagley, and First Secretary of the Indian High Commission, Eldos Mathew and others engaged in extensive discussions on the project's execution. Signifying the Indian government's commitment to the initiative, the Indian High Commissioner handed over a significant contribution of Indian Rs 450 million to Minister Kanaka Herath (State Minister of Technology), constituting 15 per cent

Looking for more Indian destinations: Sri Lankan Airlines regional manager

He said India and Sri Lanka have lots of similarities in terms of religion and culture which can play an important role in boosting tourism between the two countries

Indian Rupee not legal tender for domestic payments: S Lanka Central Bank

Sri Lanka's Central Bank said on Wednesday that no domestic transactions would be allowed with the Indian Rupee in the island country, as it warned people not to be misled by inaccurate information surrounding the issue. The apex bank said that even though the Indian Rupee (INR) has been endorsed as a designated foreign currency, it is not a legal tender in Sri Lanka for domestic payments/settlements. Any transaction executed between or among residents in Sri Lanka shall be in LKR (Lankan Rupee), being the legal tender in Sri Lanka, the central bank said in a statement. It added that the INR was designated a foreign currency in Sri Lanka in August 2022. Trade between Sri Lanka and India has grown rapidly after the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, which came into force in March 2000," the bank said. "In view of the expanding economic activities between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in promoting existing trade relations between the two countries, on several occasions, CBSL .

Sri Lanka records single-digit inflation for 1st time since economic crisis

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on Monday said that its inflation has dropped to 6.3 per cent, a single-digit figure for the first time in two years, providing much-needed relief to the people amidst the worst financial crisis. In a statement, the Census and Statistics Office of the Sri Lankan government said that the overall rate of inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index on a year-on-year basis is 6.3 per cent in July 2023 and it was down from 12 per cent recorded in June this year. The overall rate of inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index on a year-on-year basis is 6.3 per cent in July 2023. This was down from the 12 per cent recorded in June, the statement said. The last time single-digit inflation was recorded was 5.8 per cent in September of 2021. The highest inflation since the island nation's economy came under its worst crisis was 69.8 per cent recorded in September last year. The statement further said that the decrease in the cost of food ..

Macron becomes 1st French president to visit Sri Lanka, pledges assistance

During the visit, Wickremesinghe and Macron held friendly and productive bilateral discussions which lasted for an hour and fifteen minutes, the Sri Lankan President's office said

Sri Lanka key partner in free and open Indo-Pacific: Japan's Yoshimasa

Sri Lanka with its location at a strategic juncture along the sea lanes of the Indian Ocean is an important partner in realising a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said here on Saturday. Yoshimasa arrived here late on Friday on a two-day visit to the island nation after meetings in New Delhi. He held talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday, amidst China's aggressive investment projects in the cash-strapped nation. At today's (Saturday's) meeting, I explained about the new plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced in March this year," he said. Yoshimasa was referring to the Japanese prime minister's statement that Japan attaches importance to cooperation with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to be chaired by Sri Lanka in October this year. The US, India and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving ...

French President Macron meets Lanka counterpart during historic visit

Macron arrived in Sri Lanka on the night of July 28 following his trip to the South Pacific region

Sri Lanka releases 15 Indian fishermen days after Wickremesinghe's visit

As many as 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen released by Sri Lanka arrived here on Thursday from Colombo, officials said. The fishermen were arrested recently by the neighbouring country for alleged poaching and they were lodged in a prison. Transport arrangements were made and the fishermen were sent home on their arrival at the airport here, officials added. The release of the fishermen comes days after Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's official visit to India.

French Prez Macron to visit Sri Lanka on Friday, to hold bilateral talks

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Colombo on July 28 on his maiden trip for bilateral talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe, it was announced on Thursday. Macron will be on his return home from a 5-day visit to the Pacific islands of Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, President Wickremesinghe's office said. The official visit by Macron is the first such by a French president to Sri Lanka, officials said. Macron is to meet with Wickremesinghe for bilateral talks Friday evening before leaving early Saturday morning. Wickremesinghe had met Macron in Paris in June during the heads of state sessions of the Conference for a new global financial agreement.

SL navy arrests 9 Indian fishermen for alleged maritime boundary violation

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 9 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly violating its maritime boundary, a state Fisheries department official here said on Tuesday. Two mechanised boats were also seized. The fishermen, belonging to Mandapam in the district, set sail for fishing on Monday morning and were apprehended late last night between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu, the official added.