Author: TELO Admin

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) today announced it has committed more than half a billion dollars to support the development of a deepwater shipping container terminal in the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, that will provide critical infrastructure for the South Asian region.

Issuing a statement, the US embassy in Colombo said the new terminal reflects DFC’s commitment to financing high-quality infrastructure that supports its partner’s development needs, invests in local communities, and is respectful of local financial conditions. The investment further demonstrates the United States’ enduring commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic growth and its regional economic integration, including with India.

DFC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Nathan traveled to Sri Lanka to launch $553 million in financing to Colombo West International Terminal Private Limited to support the development of the deepwater West Container Terminal located within the Port of Colombo. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor (NSA) Sagala Ratnayaka and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung joined CEO Nathan for the ceremonial launch of the new terminal.

“DFC works to drive private-sector investments that advance development and economic growth while strengthening the strategic positions of our partners. That’s what we’re delivering with this infrastructure investment in the Port of Colombo,” said DFC CEO Scott Nathan. “Sri Lanka is one of the world’s key transit hubs, with half of all container ships transiting through its waters. DFC’s commitment of $553 million in private-sector loans for the West Container Terminal will expand its shipping capacity, creating greater prosperity for Sri Lanka – without adding to sovereign debt – while at the same time strengthening the position of our allies across the region.”

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said, “The $553 million investment by DFC for the long-term development of the Port of Colombo’s West Container Terminal will facilitate private- sector-led growth in Sri Lanka and attract crucial foreign exchange inflows during its economic recovery. This financing is symbolic of the United States’ long-standing commitment to the development and well-being of the people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka regaining its economic footing will further our shared vision for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

This investment models how DFC operates, supporting projects that are strategic, economically sound, and led by the private sector. DFC is working with world-class sponsors John Keells Holdings and Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones Limited (APSEZ). These companies’ local experience and high-quality standards will help support local jobs and make this project a long-term, sustained success for the Indo-Pacific.

The Port of Colombo is the largest and busiest transshipment port in the Indian Ocean. It has been operating at more than 90 percent utilization since 2021, signaling its need for additional capacity. The new terminal will cater to growing economies in the Bay of Bengal, taking advantage of Sri Lanka’s prime position on major shipping routes and its proximity to these expanding markets.

Leaders of Sri Lankan Tamil parties need to step up their engagement with India for resolving the Tamil issue, according to A. Varatharaja Perumal, former Chief Minister of the once-unified North-Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

In an interview with The Hindu after taking part in a book launch event in Coimbatore on Saturday, Mr. Varatharaja Perumal, who held the CM post nearly for one-and-a-half years during December 1988-March 1990 following the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987, said there had to be pressure from the Tamil parties and their leaders, “who are not acting [in this regard].”

Recalling how Tamil rebel groups and parties were, during 1983-87, in frequent contact with Indian leaders, both in New Delhi and Tamil Nadu, the former leader of the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) pointed out that a similar relationship did not exist now. “Merely sitting at a hotel in Jaffna and writing a letter to Prime Minister [Modi] would not work,” he observed.

Conceding that the Indian government too had a responsibility on the Tamil question even though it could not do what it did between 1983 and 1990, the 70-year-old former CM, who shuttles between India and Sri Lanka, said: “The Government of India cannot act in isolation. It needs the support of Indian people and leaders. There should be a voice within India for devolution and the political settlement [to be worked out in Sri Lanka]. This can be possible only if the Tamil leaders maintain close ties with leaders in New Delhi and Tamil Nadu. So, the primary responsibility lies with them.”

At the same time, no room should be given for any “extreme or radical” move, Mr\. Varatharaja Perumal hastened to add.

Emphasising that the 13th Amendment of Sri Lankan Constitution, dealing with devolution through elected bodies of provincial councils, should be “properly” implemented, he said if it was interpreted on the lines of similar features of the Indian Constitution in India, “this will take care of 70% to 75% of the political issues.”

Also, there was a need to “revisit the 13th Amendment” and the Indian government should constitute a team of legal experts to study the subject and convey [to Sri Lanka] how to ensure the “proper implementation” of the Amendment, against which the Sri Lankan government had never taken the stand per se.

“There are forces in several Sinhalese parties that favour devolution, besides NGOs and academicians,” he said, expressing the hope that with “consistent persuasion and perseverance,” progress could be achieved in the area of devolution.

On measures to be taken for refugees from Sri Lanka living in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Varatharaja Perumal responded that the issue concerning the refugees had to be viewed humanely. While the demand for Indian citizenship could be considered last, there were “pressing issues” that required to be attended to first. The Indian government could, either individually or jointly with the Sri Lankan government, provide permanent documents to those who wanted to take up proper employment in India or abroad. Similarly, property acquisition rights could be given to the refugees for the purpose of housing. Restrictions on camp refugees’ visits to Sri Lanka could also be eased, he added.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka visited the island nation’s Northern province which is close to South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and invited the locals to export sea foods to China while assuring that Beijing will not export any fisheries products to the province.

India has become increasingly concerned over China’s expansion into the Northern province and had convinced Sri Lankan government to cancel three renewable energy projects in the North granted for Beijing, government officials have said.

China has been assisting for sea cucumber farming for Jaffna fishermen, whose livelihood is hit by bottom trawling and encroachment of Indian fishermen.

In his second visit to the North, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong donated food packs, fishing gears, and houses to Northern people, mainly ethnic minority Tamils who are culturally close to South India.

“No matter what kind of challenges and difficulties you face, the Chinese people will firmly stand with you, no matter in the past, now or in the future,” Qi Zhenhong told a public gathering at district secretariat in the former war zone of Jaffa district.

“The Chinese government has a promise to continue to provide support,” he said adding that Beijing has decided to donate each 5 million rupee worth of food packs, fishing gears, and houses for Northern people.

SEA FOOD EXPORT TO CHINA

China has already started exporting sea cucumber from Jaffna fishermen and the Ambassador promised to buy more from Northern fishermen in the future.

“No Chinese fish export to Sri Lanka, specially to Northern province,” he said referring to sea food imports by Sri Lanka from China

“China is the second largest economy. We have a huge market. We warmly welcome Sri Lanka competitive product exports to China.”

“We have a great potential… Chinese investors, China entrepreneurs have great interest to come to the Northern province. I hope Northern province also warmly welcome China investors and tourists to come to the Northern province.”

Qi Zhenhong’s visit comes two days after Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s official visit to Jaffna.

People in Jaffna said initially there were some hesitations over Chinese ambassador’s visit to the North.

“But he came with food packs and some fishing gears. People need those goods in the current extremely difficult conditions,” a Jaffna based civilian told EconomyNext asking not to be named.

“So, nobody rejected the Chinese ambassador. It would be even possible China winning the minds of Jaffna people though buying their sea food for exports.”

The Chinese Embassy in Colombo separately said three donation ceremonies were held in the three districts of North with each district receiving 500 boxes of dry rations worth 7,500 rupees each ($23) and another Project, 5000 boxes worth 37.5 million rupees will be distributed to the needy in the Northern Province.

The leftist “collective” National People’s Power (NPP) must encourage diversity within its ranks but its objective of capturing state power must remain intact and unwavering, according to K D Lal Kantha, who also said he was prepared to join an armed struggle if the need were ever to arise.

Lal Kantha is former parliamentarian who currently serves as a politburo member of the formerly revolutionary and Marxist-Leninist Janatha Vimukthi Peruman (JVP), the NPP’s controlling and largest constituent.

“There is nothing I love more than diversity. We have diversity here, but let’s maintain one objective. In order to achieve our objective, we must obtain state power. We cannot do it otherwise. The objective is that we want to build a good country and for that we need state power,” Lal Kantha said addressing a crowd of NPP supporters.

The former MP said that, since 1931, Sri Lankans have been changing governments through universal franchise.

“More than in any other country in Asia, the people in this country have a habit of using their power to vote. Besides that, there have been various attempts at armed struggle. I too have been part of armed struggles. If needed, I’m also ready to join one anytime. But that’s a separate discussion,” he said.

With the long overdue local government elections already postponed, said Lal Kantha, voters are now looking forward to presidential elections next year. They are excited to put an end to a “75-year curse” of successive governments led by the political mainstream and vote for the NPP, he said.

Former minister and now independent MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, a veteran leftist and staunch ally of the Rajapaksa family, has said the JVP must lead the fight against the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed policies of the incumbent government, Lal Kantha claimed.

“He must note however that it is not the JVP. It is the NPP.”

Recognising what he called the ever-increasing diversity within the ranks of the NPP, Lal Kantha said the party’s objective must remain.

“Don’t send anyone away. The NPP is not one to reject but to include,” he said.

The former MP also intimated that the JVP, with its reputation for being a highly disciplined party that is noted for cleaning up after its rallies, must move on from that image in order to win, becoming a home for a wide assortment of people, even those who have a propensity to drunkenly litter at a rally.

“That’s when we will win,” he said.

Lal Kantha also called for sacrifice from the party membership.

“We must have unrelenting determination. There is a class of oppressors, enabling this 75-year curse. There must be some sacrifice. We can’t do this without sacrifice, without energy, without heroism.”

“We must have love for our oppressed class,” he said.

Parliamentarian Ali Sabry Raheem has been expelled from the All Ceylon Makkal Congress Party (ACMC), led by Rishad Bathiudeen, following a comprehensive inquiry initiated by the party’s Disciplinary Committee.

The decision to oust MP Ali Sabry Raheem from the party membership was made based on findings that his actions, involving gold and mobile phone smuggling, had brought disrepute to the ACMC. This conduct was deemed contrary to the expected behavior of an ACMC Member of Parliament and constituted a serious breach of party discipline.

Mr. M.S.S. Ameer Ali, Chairman of the ACMC, made this announcement, highlighting that Raheem’s actions had led to his expulsion from the party, and the notification of his expulsion was also sent to Mr. Naeemullah, Secretary General of the Muslim National Alliance (MNA). During the previous General Elections, MP Raheem contested under the MNA’s symbol as per the Electoral Agreement between the ACMC and MNA. The Chairman of the ACMC expressed hope that the Secretary General of MNA would promptly address this matter, as promised by him.