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Sri Lanka gives Chinese company 50-year exclusivity for port logistics venture

Posted on April 30, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka has granted sole and exclusive rights to the Chinese state enterprise China Merchants Port Holdings Company for a logistics centre in the Port of Colombo for 50 years.

The public-private venture on build, operate, and transfer (BOT) terms, involves Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), and civil engineers Access Engineering Plc as minority shareholders.

SLPA is not allowed under the BOT agreement, “to grant any third party the right to carry out port-related logistics or warehousing services at the Port of Colombo at a rate lower than the royalty fees payable by the project company”, filings by China Merchants Port show.

China Merchants Port has set up a fully-owned subsidiary, Fortune Centre Group Limited (FCGL) to build and run the ‘South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub’. FCGL, a private limited liability company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, gets the rights to name the chairman, managing director/chief executive officer, and appoint five directors, to the project company, ‘South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub Limited’, while Access Engineering and SLPA can name one director each.

According to the shareholder agreement, FCGL will commit US$ 58.8 million cash to the Sri Lanka incorporated ‘South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub Limited’, which will have an issued share capital of US$ 84m, China Merchants Port filings show.

China Merchants Port also owns 85% of the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) of the Port of Colombo. SLPA has a 15% interest in CICT. According to China Merchants Group’s annual filings for 2022, CICT handled 3.2 million containers. The group also notes a 10.44 million yuan (Rs 465m) dividend payable to SLPA.

The proposed at least five-story logistics centre will cost US$ 392 million (Rs 126.2 billion) and the cost includes the deposit, royalty fees and guarantee payable under the BOT agreement. Royalties are based on the minimum logistics throughput during the 50-year term. ‘South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub Limited’ must pay SLPA a lump sum of US$14m in royalties no later than 90 days from the day when all conditions of the BOT agreement are met.

The cost considers the value of existing assets, the lease area and construction and development as well as expected revenue and other income the China Merchants Group may get from the logistics centre.

Also, US$ 126m must be deposited to a bank account in Sri Lanka within 60 days of the letter of intent, accepted by China Merchants Port on April 21, 2023.

‘South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub Limited’ is required to give a US$ 4.5 million guarantee produced by a bank in Sri Lanka to SLPA once all conditions under the BOT agreement are met. “The guarantee ends on completion of all development-related obligations and shall be replaced with a demand letter of guarantee in the amount of US$ 7.5m which shall remain valid for the remaining term of the BOT agreement.”

At the end of 50 years, ‘South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub Limited,’ “shall hand back” the leased site and transfer all assets of the logistics centre to SLPA”.

China Merchants Port says the logistics complex will allow it to gain a greater market share of South Asian ports and increase its influence in the region. A statement said it is “a giant leap forward’’.

Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala Silva said at the event announcing the venture, it was a “highly important turning point”.

The Minister said SLPA was providing the land and that rental (kuliya) was based on Government valuer’s estimate. He also said SLPA would receive about 15% of the logistic centre’s profit. But, such a term was not mentioned in the filings. The site agreement is to be signed. Not all conditions are disclosed.

FCGL signed the shareholders agreement with Access Engineering and SLPA, on April 21, 2023. FCGL will contribute US$ 58.8m cash (70% of the issued share capital of US$ 84m) to ‘South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub Limited’, Access Engineering will contribute US$ 12.6m cash (15%), and SLPA will commit US$ 12.6m (15%).

Access Engineering, has among its top 20 shareholders, the Employees Provident Fund which holds 2.048%, while Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited — Life Fund holds 0.361%.

The company is heavily involved in Government projects such as Kohuwala and Getambe flyovers funded by Hungary, the Kompanna Veediya (Slave Island) flyover, the 452-unit Bloemendhal housing project and the 1,000-unit Stadiumgama. It built the Mannar wind power project and Mirigama-Riloluwa part of the central expressway.

It is also building the East Container Terminal of the Port of Colombo with another Chinese state company, China Harbour Engineering Company. CHEC JV (Private) Limited is 51% owned by Access Engineering. China Harbour Engineering, a part of China Communications Construction Company owns the Port City Colombo real estate venture and Port of Hambantota.

SLPA’s 2021 annual report shows that it booked as net profit, lease rent of Rs. 12.91bn from 2016 to 2021, from South Asia Gateway Terminal, and Colombo International Container Terminal, and royalties of Rs. 19.58bn. In 2021, royalties from CICT were Rs 174.077m.

India reiterates commitment towards full implementation of 13A

Posted on April 30, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

A delegation of Tamil National Alliance Leaders comprising Mr. Selvam Adaikalanathan, MP, President of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), Mr. G Karunakaran, MP, Secretary of TELO, Mr. D. Sithardthan, MP, President of People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), Mr. Suresh Premachandran, President of Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), Mr. G. Surenthiran, Spokesperson of TELO and Mr. Venthan, President of Democratic Crusader’s Party (DCP) called on the High Commissioner to convey the New Year greetings and held discussions on the current situation in Sri Lanka.

The delegation apprised the High Commissioner on the aspirations of Tamil people in Sri Lanka and progress on the related matters.

High Commissioner reciprocated the New Year greetings and reiterated India’s commitment towards the full implementation of the 13th Amendment and early conduct of Provincial Council Elections in Sri Lanka.

China pushes its interest after debt restructuring pledge to Sri Lanka By R. R. M. Lilani

Posted on April 30, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

After pledging to renegotiate its debt to Sri Lanka, China is back on track. Besides, since Sri Lanka urgently needs China to restructure its USD 7 billion debt to the country, Sri Lanka has vowed to support the dragon at this juncture by conceding to its demands. High-ranking Chinese VIPs arrived recently in preparation for their bilateral agreements. They have brought with them some suggestions, including the stalled discussions on the Sri Lanka-China Free Trade Agreement, among many other deals that were not executed despite China wanted them long before.

Notably, on April 22, 2023, China Merchants Group Chairman Miao Jianmin met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and reviewed numerous large investment proposals. China Merchants Group, the island’s single largest foreign investor, has already invested USD 2 billion, according to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.

Jianmin told the Sri Lankan government during his visit that they are always “providing free charcoal in the snow” instead of “collecting rented-umbrellas in the rain”. “We will further strengthen cooperation with local and foreign companies and make more contributions to 🇱🇰 economic recovery,” he assured the president of the island nation.

China has returned to action after remaining mute on aiding Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process. They, like other main creditors such as India, Japan and Japan, seized the opportunity when Sri Lanka was able to gather all of them around the table to help Sri Lanka reach its USD 2.9 billion bailout package.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that the creditors of Sri Lanka should meet up with Sri Lankan officials by end of April 2023, to discuss about the debt restructuring process and that the IMF will not engage itself. Sri Lanka is desperate to obtain the IMF bailout of USD 2.9bn that would boost investor confidence as well as to repay some of the defaulted credits.

On April 23, 2023, a grand signing ceremony of 15 projects was held at the Hambantota International Port covering shipping, logistics, warehouse, duty free, fuel oil sales, construction, yachts manufacturing etc., between Sri Lanka, China and the Maldives. This was not executed despite the plans were announced some two years ago.

Also, on April 25, 2023, the Chinese Embassy announced that the their Out-Patient Department (OPD) building of the Sri Lankan National Hospital, which is the largest ever China-Aid project in Sri Lanka with eight-storey, 50000 square meters area and a daily access of 6000 patients, was handed over to Sri Lanka today. The Sri Lankan government is expected to open it to the public soon.

On April 21, China Merchants Group also signed an agreement with Sri Lanka Ports Authority to jointly build the South Asia Commercial and Logistics Hub, the first major FDI project after Sri Lanka default last year. China was chosen to be the contractor of the massive project at the Colombo Port. It is said to be an investment of USD 392 million.

The Chinese Embassy also noted that the China Merchants Foundation (CMF) and Hambantota International Port Group have completed and opened a series of development projects including economic center, health center and community center in the highest-populated village of Kandagasmankada, Lunugamwehera, Hambantota.

But the interesting most activity between China and Sri Lanka was the 8th China – Sri Lanka Joint Workshop on Ocean Sustainable Development that was held on 24-25 April in Colombo, co-organized by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Ruhuna in down South of Sri Lanka.

About 100 scientists attended the workshop of the China – Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research (CSL-CER).

The South China Sea Institute of Oceanology and the Chinese Academy of Sciences had signed an MoU with Ruhuna University to set up a joint institute of oceanographic studies. It was part of an MoU between the Sri Lankan Ministry of Higher Education and the Chinese Academy of Sciences signed in Colombo on September 12 2014 when Mahinda Rajapaksa was the president. The official ceremony took place in the Senate Room of the University of Ruhuna, Matara.

The relationship between China and Ruhuna University has come to light again but this time, amidst rumours that the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and University of Ruhuna are planning to build a High-Frequency Short Wave (HFSW) radar station at Dondra, the country’s southernmost point, with a range of 180 km towards the South and a coverage of 120 degrees. This news has attracted attention across the world.

Additionally, similar information appeared on the British publications which reported that a Chinese radar installation at Dondra Bay might monitor US military action in Diego Garcia as well as ship movements by Australian, Japanese, and Indian vessels in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Despite this news was dismissed as a rumor, China is now re-established the lost links with Ruhuna University through the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research (CSL-CER). Even Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Palitha Kohona, commended on the workshop.

Counselor Hu Wei, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Vice Chancellor of UoR Prof. Sujeewa Amarasena, and Director-General of SCSIO Prof. Chaolun Li attended the Symposium and delivered warm remarks on the occasion of the 8th China-Sri Lanka Joint Workshop on Ocean Sustainable Development.

Prof. Sujeewa Amarasena stated that the China-Sri Lanka joint Center for Education and Research (CSL-CER) represents a historic turning point in the University of Ruhuna’s international academic engagement. CSL-CER was created at the University of Ruhuna as a result of the long-term, strong symbiotic relationship between Sri Lanka and China with the goal of boosting science education and research in Sri Lanka.

During the workshop, the experts engaged in academic discussions about ocean sustainability. Academician Zixin Deng of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dr. Saman Seneweera of the University of Melbourne in Australia, and others were invited to give academic oral presentations. The workshop featured professionals from Shandong University, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, and the National Institute of Fundamental Studies of Sri Lanka. UoR and SCSIO have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their relationship, the Chinese Embassy noted.

The combined workshop, according to Prof. Changsheng Zhang, Director of the CSL-CER, and Prof. Disna Ratnasekera, Co-Director of the CSL-CER, would foster collaborative study on the Indian Ocean’s sustainable development. Scientists expressed strong interest in carrying out future collaboration and developing new suggestions using the CSL-CER as a bridge platform.

Prof. Sujeewa Amarasena and Prof. Chaolun Li, chairmen of the workshop organization commission, praised the efforts and support of CSL-CER colleagues in overcoming difficulties caused by the severe COVID-19 pandemic, and expressed confidence in the glorious future of China-Sri Lanka scientific collaboration. Some of these scientists from China were part of the 2014 MoU signed at the Ruhuna Universtiy.

Until date, this collaboration with the University of Ruhuna has been opaque as to the nature of this collaboration with China. Even what the China espionage ship Yuan Wang 5 performed while mapping the Indian Ocean is unknown; only those on board and the Chinese Communist Party know what they were up to. When the ship arrived at the Port in Hambantota, no visitors were allowed to board the ship to see the unique gadgets and the radars on the ship.

When the ship arrived in Sri Lanka, India requested the government not to allow the ship but China succeeded in docking it at the port. According to foreign security specialists cited by Reuters, the Yuan Wang 5 is one of China’s most advanced space-tracking ships, designed to follow satellite, rocket, and intercontinental ballistic missile launches. It was labeled as a “dual-use spy ship” in several Indian media publications.

So the country is still clueless what the ship had as well as what the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research (CSL-CER) would do. The radar in Dondra may be a rumour but ‘there is no smoke without fire’.

Imran Khan warns of ‘Sri Lanka-like’ situation if elections not held in Pakistan

Posted on April 30, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has warned the ‘powerful people’ that violent protests will break out in the country if the elections were not held. “Pakistan would face a Sri Lanka-like situation,” he added.

“This is not a warning, it is my analysis; the people till now have remained peaceful at the party rallies and public gatherings with a hope that the elections would be held soon.

However, if they were denied their right to vote then they will come out onto the streets and no one would be able to control the situation,” the former Prime Minister said while addressing an interactive session with party workers through a video link here Saturday.

He said till now the coalition government was running away from the elections, fearing that they would lose and Imran Khan will return to power. “While keeping in mind Pakistan’s precarious economic situation, till now I have taken party decisions that did not hurt our fragile economy, but if the elections were delayed the situation would get out of control,” he added.

On behalf of the nation, he urged all Supreme Court justices to put their differences behind them and unite for the sake of the country. “Pakistan was on the verge of collapse; if the country’s Constitution was breached, for which attempts were being made, there will be a law of jungle in the country. The nation was looking towards the Supreme Court for supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of the law in the country,” he said.

Khan also announced to stage rallies in Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar to mark Labour Day on Monday; “I would lead the rally in Lahore from Liberty Chowk to Nasir Bagh while PTI senior leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pervez Khattak would lead the rallies in Islamabad and Peshawar, respectively”. He said that on Monday they would show solidarity with the labour class and express their support for the supremacy of the Constitution and Pakistan. Thus, he urged people from all sections of society, especially the lawyers, to participate in the rally to express their demands for their rights.

Talking about the negotiation with the government over holding elections simultaneously in the country, the PTI chief cast doubts over the government’s sincerity. “We agreed to hold talks with the government on the Supreme Court’s request and we have to come to the negotiation table with full sincerity.”

However, he saw mala-fide intentions behind the government’s proposal to hold elections simultaneously after this year’s budget. He disclosed that on Tuesday (May 2), his team would attend the negotiations and if the government commits to dissolve the National and Provincial Assemblies by May 14 then they were ready to move forward and talk about ‘one election’ in the country.

However, he warned that they would not accept the government’s demand of dissolving the assemblies after the budget and then hold the elections.

He castigated the incumbent rulers for destroying state institutions with the sole aim of giving themselves NROs. “National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been abandoned to destroy the accountability system in the country and subsequently, enabled them to close corruption cases against them. Now, police and other state institutions were being used to fabricate cases against their opponents.

The Elections Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which was responsible for holding free and fair elections in the country, has become a partner with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM); it was acting on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryum Nawaz and ‘Dirty Harry’,” he alleged.

He also castigated the government for undermining the people’s fundamental rights and violating the sanctity of their houses. “What happened at PTI President and former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi’s residence could never be imagined in any civilized society and democracy. Earlier, an attack was made on my life and my house. The PTI leaders, including Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill, Ali Amin, and others, were arrested and tortured. Any of this could not be possible in a civilized society,” he lamented.

Source – Business Recorder

Cremating Covid Bodies : “So called professional misled us” Health Minister

Posted on April 29, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella admitted that a government-appointed committee had been “misled” by a professional on the issue of groundwater contamination from COVID-19 burials.

Rambukwella said that the government had “acted on the advice of experts” when it made the decision to cremate all COVID-19 victims, but that it had now become clear that this advice was “incorrect.”

Cremating Covid Bodies : "So called professional misled us" Health Minister pic.twitter.com/xQr0Diru31

— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) April 29, 2023

Global animal rights groups condemn the proposed mass sale of monkeys to China

Posted on April 29, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Asia for Animals Coalition (AFA) which is a network of local, national and international animal protection and conservation organizations with a particular focus on Asian animal advocacy and the Macaque Coalition (MACC) have condemned the widely-reported proposal to remove up to 100,000 toque macaques from the wild in Sri Lanka and send them to China, ostensibly for placement in the country’s zoos.

Here is the full text of the statement:

“The Asia for Animals Coalition (AFA) and Macaque Coalition (MACC) member organizations wholeheartedly support the call by Wildlife & Nature Protection Society (WNPS), Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Federation of Environmental Organizations (FEO), and RARE Sri Lanka to halt these plans, and to instead invest in the development of sound, well-researched interventions that protect both people and wildlife.”

“Further, AFA and MACC share the doubts expressed by the above mentioned organizations that these animals are feasibly destined for lives in zoos. Given the numbers involved and the present global demand for primates as subjects for biomedical research, we fear it is more likely that these endangered macaques are intended for use by the research industry.”

“Media reports on this issue are confusing, with conflicting statements about whether either the Sri Lankan or the Chinese governments are seriously considering moving forward with the proposed plan.”

“Additionally, details of the private company said to have approached Sri Lanka’s Agricultural Department about the export of macaques are missing and raise questions; no contact person is provided on the letter, the company’s seal is backwards, and, while they told one source by telephone that their company is “not yet in full operation”, the company appears to be involved in lawsuits with two other breeding companies in Northeast China.”

“Toque macaques (Macaca sinica) are found only on the island of Sri Lanka. They have been classified as Endangered since 2008, with one subspecies (M.s. opishtomelas) recently reassessed as Critically Endangered.”

“Though these monkeys can appear to be overabundant in areas where they have learned to take advantage of easy access to food, these sites are “highly localized and do not represent macaque population numbers countywide.”

“At least 70 % of the species’ habitat has been converted to other uses over the past 65 years, and concurrent with this, the toque macaque population has declined by more than 50% over the last 40 years.”

“Furthermore, there is every indication that these declines will continue as toque macaques have no legal protection and are managed as a pest species, despite the fact they represent an integral part of the natural biodiversity heritage of Sri Lanka.”

“The removal of any substantial number of toque macaques from the wild would not only cause immense suffering to the individual animals involved, it could also cause irreversible ecological damage which would negatively affect the people and wildlife of Sri Lanka for years to come.”

“The survival of the species, already edging towards extinction, would become even more fragile. Sri Lankan citizens, and the world, would be deprived of a unique and ecologically important animal species.”

“Macaques play important roles in the ecosystems they inhabit. The disappearance of key species like macaques can degrade entire habitats, in turn compromising other species’ ability to survive – and ultimately our own.”

“We understand that crop losses can be devastating to people’s livelihoods and encounters with monkeys that have become dependent on human food can be dangerous. However, neither the ad hoc killing nor the mass removal of macaques is a sustainable or humane solution.”

“The resources that would be allocated to the location, trapping and transport of hundreds or thousands of monkeys should instead be invested in addressing the root causes of local overabundance and the development of truly effective measures that protect both crops and wildlife and promote continued coexistence.”

“Human-monkey conflict mitigation strategies for Sri Lanka have been discussed and developed in recent years. Such strategies should be evaluated and, where feasible, implemented prior to any consideration of the capture or lethal control of monkeys.”

“The organizations we are supporting with this statement are working in consultation with well-established experts on toque macaques, Sri Lankan ecology and conservation, who we know are prepared to advise on these very issues. Organizations within our Coalition may also be available to assist.”

“The undersigned organizations from around the globe, on behalf of the many millions of members they represent, have considerable collective experience and expertise in human-wildlife conflict and its mitigation, and respectfully ask that the Sri Lankan authorities listen to their experts in this matter, and invest in real, effective and lasting solutions that do not place an entire species at risk.”

Ranil has lost faith among SLPP MPs – ‘Aruna’

Posted on April 29, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has lost faith among a vast majority of SLPP MPs, sources close to the party said.

The sources dismissed claims by minister Prasanna Ranatunga that 126 SLPP MPs support Wickremesinghe, whom he said would be their presidential candidate.

Around 80 percent in the party, including several cabinet ministers, are deeply disappointed with the president’s delaying tactics and with the conduct of certain UNP members.

Another reason for their dejection is that they are yet to be compensated for their properties destroyed by anti-government protestors.

Despite the president’s having given instructions to compensate for Dr. Seetha Arambepola’s damaged car, a powerful minister has prevented the payment to aggravate the situation.

Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Tiran Alles want to act independently, but are displeased with interferences and interventions by several cabinet hopefuls, said the sources.

Even as matters stand thus, Ranatunga is speaking in support of Wickremesinghe in order to escape punishment from court cases pending against him, certain SLPP members alleged.

Will MR take up a new role?

Posted on April 29, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he will strive to find solutions to the issues faced by the public through the present administration.

Speaking to media, former President Rajapaksa said he will continue to support any faction that fulfills the aspirations of the people.

The Leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Party also said the public should stand up against injustice and work together to help Sri Lanka progress.

Although former President Rajapaksa was noncommittal when asked by media about taking up a new position, he said he will extend his support to any party that works towards the progress of the country.

Housing Project with Chinese assistance to be launched

Posted on April 29, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing will launch a new housing project for the underprivileged community in Colombo, with the assistance of China.

The Chinese assistance will include US $450 million.

1,995 houses will be built across five areas in Colombo, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing W.S. Satyananda said.

The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing will be completed in the next two years.

Blinken hails contribution of US envoy to Sri Lanka Julie Chung

Posted on April 29, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has noted the extraordinary contribution made by the current US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung on the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to America.

Speaking a State luncheon in Washington held in honor of visiting Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk-Yeol, Blinken noted that Julie was just five years old when, in 1977, her family moved from Seoul to California.

“She didn’t speak a word of English. Her dad got a job on the drafting floor of an engineering company. Her mom worked nights washing dishes in a restaurant. Julie’s mom went on to become a librarian and a church deacon. Her dad later designed a heating system to prevent O-rings from freezing on space shuttles – that’s what had caused the Challenger explosion – allowing NASA to restart the space missions. And Julie joined the first cohort of Pickering fellows at the State Department, which encourages the service of historically underrepresented minorities,” he said.

The Secretary of State said that today, Julie’s dad’s engineering company is working on technology that will help the United States, Korea, and other partners who are joined in the Artemis Accord return astronauts to the Moon, including the first woman and first person of color. And Julie is the United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

“If these are the threads that are connecting the United States and Korea through a single family, just think how rich, how deep the ties are that are binding our nations together,” he said.

The Vice President of the United States of America Kamala D. Harris also attended the luncheon.