The Anuradhapura-Omanthai railway project, originally funded by an Indian credit line, has now been converted into a grant.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Vijitha told a special media briefing on Friday (20) that the Mahawa-Omanthai railway project has now been fully converted into a grant.
He said that India has agreed to provide a grant for the construction of a boat dockyard, further strengthening the cooperation between the two nations.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, clarified that no agreement had been reached regarding the construction of Indian oil pipelines in Sri Lanka, during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent visit to India.
He made this statement at a special press briefing held at the Department of Government Information this morning (20) to provide insights into President Anura Kumara’s recent visit to India.
However, the Foreign Minister stated the construction of oil pipelines between India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had been proposed.
He stated that an agreement had been reached to continue these discussions further.
Apart from that, he dismissed claims that an agreement had been reached to lay any Indian oil pipeline in Sri Lanka, calling such news false.
India, Sri Lanka and UAE have decided to implement a multi-product pipeline for supplying affordable and reliable energy, according to the India – Sri Lanka joint statement released following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Hyderabad House in Delhi on Monday.
According to the joint statement, PM Modi and Anura Kumara Dissanayake agreed to take steps towards the implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and further augment its capacity as per the needs of Sri Lanka.
The joint statement reads, “Emphasizing the need for reliable, affordable and timely energy resources for ensuring energy security and meeting basic needs of the people, both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and facilitation towards timely implementation of ongoing energy cooperation projects between India and Sri Lanka. In this regard, the leaders agreed to: Take steps towards the implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and further augment its capacity as per the requirements of Sri Lanka.”
“Continue consideration of the several proposals which are in different stages of discussion including: supply of LNG from India to Sri Lanka, establishment of a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka cooperation amongst India, Sri Lanka and UAE to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for supply of affordable and reliable energy, joint development of offshore wind power potential in Palk Straits, while prioritizing environmental protection including fauna and flora.”
Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, alias Karuna Amman, appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today to provide a statement.
According to the News 1st correspondent, he left the premises this afternoon after spending several hours providing his statement.
Karuna Amman told the media that he was questioned regarding the kidnapping of Vice-Chancellor Professor Sivasubramaniam Raveendranath.
Sri Lanka will approve access to Chinese ships on a “case by case” basis, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.
He told reporters, Thursday, that a medical ship from China has already been given approval to arrive in Sri Lanka over the weekend.
The Minister said that Sri Lanka has no issue with such ships arriving in Sri Lankan waters.
India has raised concerns in the past over Chinese research vessels arriving in Sri Lanka and posing a threat to the security of India.
Jayatissa said that Sri Lanka will deal with China and India in a diplomatic manner.
Qin Boyong, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said this week that China is to resume maritime research activities in Sri Lanka.
Boyong told President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that there are plans to restart maritime research activities, which were temporarily halted for various reasons, along with initiating relevant projects.
A boat carrying over 100 refugees from Myanmar has reached the shores of the Mullivaikkal area in Mullaitivu, according to Sri Lanka Navy and Police officers in Mullaitivu.
The refugees were reportedly being illegally transported from Myanmar to another country in the muti-day vessel when they had faced a shortage of food and water mid-sea, forcing the boat to land at the Mullivaikkal coast.
Security authorities have confirmed that the Sri Lanka Navy is providing food and water to the refugees, and that the future course of action with regard to the refugees is under consideration.
Police also revealed that nearly 25 children are among the refugees on board the vessel.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its support in debt restructuring and for providing financial assistance to Sri Lanka during the economic crisis.
The President made this statement during a meeting with Qin Boyong, Vice-Chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference which took place at the Parliamentary Complex yesterday.
Qin Boyong emphasized the importance of further strengthening the long-standing relationship between China and Sri Lanka, with a focus on cooperation with the new government going forward.
President Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for China’s aid during Sri Lanka’s crisis situations, including the provision of school uniforms for children.
The President also highlighted that continued Chinese support would be essential.
He pointed out that the unfinished section of the Central Expressway, which is under Chinese involvement, needs to be completed.
He further expressed hopes of expediting projects related to the Colombo Port City and Hambantota district, as well as commencing institutional projects.
In addition to initiating these projects, the President also mentioned the intention to resume marine research activities, which had been stalled for various reasons, and emphasized the importance of moving forward with these initiatives.
Qin Boyong also shared expectations of providing better global access to Sri Lanka by establishing Chinese companies within the Hambantota Investment Zone.
Furthermore, she confirmed that arrangements have been made for President Dissanayake’s upcoming visit to China.
The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has decided to distribute aid packages to people belonging to 2,000 families in the Eastern province, who affected by heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions.
Governor of the Eastern province Professor Jayanthalal Ratnasekara says that the aid packages will be distributed promptly once received from the embassy.
He adds that the distribution process will cover all three districts in the province.
Meanwhile the governor also points out that instructions have been given to relevant authorities to take steps to reduce natural disasters in the Eastern Province.
He adds that special attention has been paid to the areas that have been submerged for many days, due to water levels not receding.
India has agreed to provide a financial grant of 300 million rupees for Sri Lanka Police to buy vehicles.
“It is planned to use the grant to provide cabs for the duty needs of police stations in the Northern Province,” a cabinet statement said.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers have approved the proposal to enter into a memorandum of understanding between the two governments to obtain the grant.
The island nation’s Police use Mahindra Scorpio jeeps widely.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organization, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero and to produce him before the court.
The arrest warrant was issued after Gnanasara Thero, named as a defendant in a case filed for insulting the religion of Islam, failed to appear before the court today (19).
The verdict in the case was originally scheduled to be delivered today. However, Gnanasara Thero was absent when the case was called. His attorney informed the court that his client could not attend proceedings due to an illness.
Taking the presented facts into consideration, Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena postponed the announcement of the verdict to January 9, 2025, while also ordering the arrest and production of Gnanasara Thero before the court.
President and Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, briefing the Parliament yesterday (18) on the consensuses reached between the Government and the International Monetary Fund during the External Fund Facility Third Review, claimed that a Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government would still be in power by 2028.
He said thus in response to societal views that with Sri Lanka having to repay debt by 2028 following the restructuring of debt amounting to $ 12.55 billion ($ 12,550 million) with $ 1.7 billion ($ 1,700 million) interest to be paid on the said loans – $ 11,550 million which had been, according to him, obtained during the 2016-2019 Government – the country would fall into bankruptcy again.
“Never again will we allow the situation (a reference to the economic crisis) that prevailed during 2022-2023 (the latter year being last year) to recur,” he noted.
He elaborated that the plan is to grow the country’s foreign exchange reserves-based income to $ 15.1 billion by 2028.
President Dissanayake was elected to power in September of this year while the NPP Government was elected to power last month (November), both for five year terms.
In his address, which covered proposals pertaining to the Pay As You Earn Tax, personal income tax, the Value Added Tax, the Service Export Tax (reduced to 15%), the Withholding Tax and a related new Inland Revenue Department division, the reopening of the vehicle import market, the parate law, and the allowances for pensioners, farmers, fishers, and school children from Aswesuma (benefits scheme) and eligible non-Aswesuma families, he said during this special Parliamentary statement that these proposals which would require amendments to several pieces of statutory legislation to give effect to the consensuses thus reached pertaining to the same, would be gazetted and presented to the Parliament next month (January 2025).
