Page 35 - Sri Lanka

Lanka's ousted prez Gotabaya applies for US citizenship restoration: Rpt

Sri Lanka's ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country in July last year and then returned after nearly two months, has applied for restoration of his US citizenship after he failed to get asylum in any country, according to a media report. However, the US government is yet to consider the request, The Sunday Times newspaper here reported. In 2019, Rajapaksa renounced his US citizenship to contest the 2019 presidential polls. As per Sri Lankan Constitution, dual citizenship holders are barred from contesting elections. "An appeal by his lawyers to the US government -- more pointedly the Department of State to restore his citizenship, which he renounced to contest the November 2019 presidential election, has still not been considered, the report said on Sunday. The former president and his immediate family are currently in Dubai on holiday. Rajapaksa, 73, had made the appeal for the restoration of his US Citizenship after he failed to seek asylum in any country upon

Interest rates to be reduced in 2023: Sri Lanka's central bank chief

He said that Sri Lanka's inflation rate eased to 57.2 per cent in December from 61 per cent in November, noting that this reflected that the policies they have taken from April 2022 were successful

2023 will be critical, plan to turn around the economy: Sri Lankan Prez

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday said 2023 will be a critical year for the cash-strapped country, as his regime desperately scrambles to inject much-needed impetus to galvanise the beleaguered economy. Sri Lanka was hit by an unprecedented financial crisis in 2022 due to a severe paucity in foreign exchange reserves that also sparked political turmoil in the island nation that led to the ouster of the all-powerful Rajapaksa family. We are looking at the New Year 2023 after having undergone the bleakest of times, immense hardships, as well as the uncertainties and hopelessness of the last year, Wickremesinghe said in his New Year's message, as Sri Lanka turns 75 as an independent nation later this year. I understand the great burdens that are placed on all of us and the setbacks that a majority of us have suffered due to the country's abject economic collapse, he said. From April to July, chaos reigned supreme on Sri Lanka, with miles-long queues forming at fuel ..

War in Ukraine to tech layoffs: A look at 10 events that defined 2022

2022 will be remembered for a plethora of things but these 10 events will perhaps be on top of the list

A war-torn world: How Russia-Ukraine conflict dictated geopolitics globally

With the invasion turning into a misadventure for Putin in the face of a spirited Nato-backed Ukrainian defence, the world can only hope the 2 nations reach at least a brokered ceasefire deal in 2023

India sends 125 SUVs to Sri Lanka police under 'Neighbourhood First Policy'

India has handed 125 SUVs to the Sri Lankan police under a line of credit as part of its ongoing efforts to support the cash-strapped island nation and address the serious mobility restriction issues faced by the police due to non-availability of vehicles. As part of its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, India has extended multi-pronged assistance to Sri Lanka over the last 12 months to help the country tide over its worst economic and humanitarian crisis since its independence from Great Britain in 1948. Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on Thursday handed over 125 SUVs to Sri Lanka's Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles for Sri Lanka Police in an official ceremony. Taking to Twitter, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said that another 375 SUVs will be dispatched to Colombo under an existing line of credit. India's Support to Sri Lanka continues. The High Commissioner ceremonially handed over 125 Mahindra SUVs to Hon. Min of Public Security, Tiran Alles for Sri Lanka. Pol

Twelve Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka Navy for poaching off coast

The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested 12 Indian fishermen and seized their trawlers for allegedly poaching in the country's territorial waters. The fishermen were arrested off the coast of Vettilaikerni in northern Jaffna district on Wednesday, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a statement. They are currently detained at the Kankesanthurai fishing harbour, it said. "Sri Lanka Navy has stepped up its patrols and operations in the country's waters to curb illegal fishing practices of fishing trawlers", it said. The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested 264 Indian fishermen and seized 36 trawlers this year. Illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishermen has been a recurrent problem despite many high-level talks held between the two sides. In the past, the Sri Lanka Navy personnel has even fired at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seized their trawlers in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan's territorial waters. The Palk Strait, which is a narrow strip of water

Sri Lanka to set up institute to educate MPs on economic management

Sri Lanka has approved a proposal to set up an institute aimed at educating parliamentarians and officials to help them make informed decisions on economic and trade affairs, a senior official said on Tuesday. Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena told reporters that the cabinet approved the proposal of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to set up the Sri Lanka Economic and Trade Institute. This will help them to make informed decisions on policy formulation, he said. The legal draftsman would begin work to compile a draft bill, he said. Sri Lanka plunged into its worst economic crisis with the country declaring its first-ever sovereign debt default early this year Analysts said the crisis could have been averted if informed decisions had been taken around 2020. Current foreign minister Ali Sabry recently said the parliamentarians had not been adequately aware of the looming crisis despite warnings from many quarters. The political authority and senior fiscal officials have faced ..

2022 in review: Russia war to COP27, top events that shaped the world

The year 2022 is coming to an end and a lot has happened that shaped the world in the year. Let's have a look at some of these significant events

Sri Lanka's economic woes continue, data shows GDP contracted 11.8% in Q3

Sri Lankan authorities say the island-nation's estimated GDP contracted by 11.8 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2022

United Nations' WFP approves $74.87 million for Sri Lanka's strategic plan

The WFP appreciated the government's commitment towards achieving food security and improved nutrition and to corporate with achieving the Agenda for 2030 and SDGs

Lanka prez holds all-party meeting for peaceful resolution of Tamil issue

An all-party meeting convened by President Ranil Wickremesinghe has discussed the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution as mooted by India to resolve the long-standing demand for political autonomy for the minority Tamils in the island nation, political leaders said on Wednesday. The Tamil parties which participated in the meeting on Tuesday urged the government to hold the northern provincial council election. The 13A is already a part of the Constitution and it is a point that most parties agreed to, Tamil Progressive Alliance (TNA) leader Mano Ganesan told PTI. Ganesan, who represents mostly the Western province-based Tamils of Indian origin, said President Wickremesinghe has asked him to forward proposals on the 13A issue on behalf of the hill country Tamil community or the Tamils of Indian origin. India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment which was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. The 13A provides for devolution of power to t

Sri Lanka holds all-party meet to resolve Tamil's political autonomy issue

An all-party meeting was held here to discuss the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution as mooted by India to resolve the long standing demand for political autonomy for the minority Tamils in the island nation, political leaders said on Wednesday. The Tamil parties which participated in the meeting on Tuesday urged the government to hold the northern provincial council election. The 13A is already a part of the Constitution and it is a point that most parties agreed to, Tamil Progressive Alliance leader Mano Ganesan told PTI. Ganesan, who represents mostly the Western province based Tamils of Indian-origin, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked him to forward proposals on the 13A issue on behalf of the hill country Tamil community or the Tamils of Indian-origin. India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment which was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. The 13A provides for devolution of power to the Tamil community. Ganesan sai

Cyclone Mandous kills 3, affects over 21,000 in Sri Lanka; caution advised

The DMC said the effects of Mandous have reduced greatly but still requested Sri Lankans to take precautions

Sri Lanka weighs favoured creditor clause to speed up debt talks with IMF

Sri Lanka is pursuing pacts with commercial and bilateral lenders to meet conditions for the IMF to disburse a $2.9 billion loan

Govt asks trade bodies, banks to explore more countries for trade in rupee

Having facilitated rupee trade with Russia, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, the government has asked trade bodies and banks to explore such opportunities with more nations, sources said. Indian banks have already opened special rupee vostro accounts (SRVA) with banks of these three nations, operationalising the rupee trade arrangement. Recently, SBI Mauritius Ltd and People's Bank of Sri Lanka opened an SRVA with State Bank of India (SBI). In addition, Bank of Ceylon opened an account in its Indian subsidiary in Chennai. Union Bank of India has opened special rupee account of Ros Bank Russia while Chennai-based Indian Bank has opened such accounts of three Sri Lankan banks, including Colombo-based NDB Bank and Seylan Bank. In all 18 such special rupee accounts have been opened by 11 banks, including 2 of Russia and one of Sri Lanka, following approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The RBI issued detailed guidelines on cross-border trade transactions in the domestic currency in ...

Lanka Premier League will boost economy, says tourism minister Fernando

Originally planned for August 2022, the much-awaited Lanka Premier League 2022 commenced on December 6. The league was postponed because of the economic and political turmoil in the island nation

Sri Lanka shuts schools as air quality deteriorates due to extreme weather

Schools across Sri Lanka were closed on Friday as health and environment officials said the air quality in most parts of the island nation was unhealthy partly due to extreme weather conditions. Polluted air from neighbouring India was aggravating the problem, authorities said, as a storm in the Bay of Bengal triggered heavy rains and winds across Sri Lanka in recent days. A haze hung over the capital, Colombo, and other parts of the country, with the level of fine particles in the air reaching unhealthy levels. The current pollution has arisen due to the combination of local air pollutants and transboundary air pollution, said the National Building Research Organisation, a state agency involved in environmental monitoring and risk management. This condition can be seen in all parts of Sri Lanka and it has a tendency to cause health problems, it added. Director General of Health Services Asela Gunawardena said the condition would continue for the next two weeks and he advised peop

Sri Lanka health ministry removes Covid curbs for international arrivals

Sri Lanka's Health Ministry on Wednesday said it has removed Covid-19 restrictions that were in place on for foreign arrivals

China donates another consignment of medical supplies to Sri Lanka

China has donated another consignment of medical supplies worth USD 54,19,100 to Sri Lanka as the island nation continues to overcome its worst hit economic crisis, the Chinese Embassy said here on Wednesday. With the latest consignment, which arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, China has donated 5 billion rupees worth of medical supplies to Sri Lanka since the economic crisis the island nation in June. "The medicine worth 2 billion rupees arrived on Tuesday. China has donated 5 billion rupees worth of medicine to Sri Lanka since the economic crisis came to hit in June," the embassy said. The shipment of medical supplies was after this week's donation of 1000 metric tons of rice meant for students, the Embassy said. Sri Lanka and China are talking currently on debt restructuring. President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Monday that talks were continuing with the Exim Bank of China on restructuring debt. Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt and has suspended repaying its USD 51 billion forei