Category: Featured Headlines

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha held talks with Namal Rajapaksa, the national organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

The High Commission in an X post said that the duo exchanged views on the multi-faceted India-Sri Lanka issues, ranging from ongoing development projects, investments, economic revival of Sri Lanka and other areas of mutual interest.

In a post on Facebook, Namal Rajapaksa said that he discussed the continued maintenance of the strong relationship that has existed between our two countries for many years.

The Samagi Jana Balawega (SJB) was established in 2020 under the leadership of Sajith Premadasa, separated from the United National Party (UNP), which was known as the largest single political party in Sri Lanka.

As a result of the long-standing conflicts over the leadership of the UNP, a majority of its members split from the party and formed the SJB.

Several other parties that had joined hands with the UNP also formed an alliance with the SJB in this separation.

After Sajith Premadasa contested the presidential election for the first time in 2019 and was defeated, he left the UNP with a large group and formed the SJB, and the party was elected as the main opposition in parliament in the 2020 general election.

Although the SJB served as the main opposition, it failed to gain power in the presidential and general elections held during the economic crisis and after the struggle.

In the 2024 general election, proposals were made by both parties that the UNP and the SJB should contest the election together.

Those talks failed and both parties contested the election separately.

‘Initially, Sajith was against it’

Both parties have proposed that they should contest separately and reunite after the heavy defeats suffered by both parties.

“Initially, Sajith was against it. But all of them have said that they should unite. Accordingly, Sajith has agreed,” said former minister Rajitha Senaratne, who is intervening on behalf of the alliance on the UNP camp.

He noted that opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, who opposed the UNP-SJB alliance, is currently being pressured to rejoin.

All the opposition parties with a common emblem

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has proposed to contest the upcoming elections under the telephone symbol and former president Ranil Wickremesinghe under the elephant symbol.

“Without both of these, our side has said that they should unite all parts of the opposition with one common logo and agree to compete as one group. They have said that they will exert pressure on their side to do the same.”

Common opposition won cooperative votes

Former minister Rajitha Senaratne also mentioned that in the cooperative elections where the opposition parties came together and competed, they were able to defeat the ruling party and gain power.

“In Beruwala, we all contested as one team, and in almost every place, the JVP had only 30%. The rest went to the Joint Opposition. Similarly, if we unite in Biyagama and Homagama, we will win everywhere.”

Discussions to begin this week

General Secretary of SJB, MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara, had the following remarks when inquired about a potential UNP-SJB alliance.

“We will begin discussions this week,” he said, adding that he is not in a position to comment further until the discussions commence.

‘Ranil is the only one left to save the country’

The media had cited a request from the SJB as the main reason for the collapse of talks between the UNP and the SJB to contest the last parliamentary election.

The reports stated that former president Ranil Wickremesinghe was presented with a major condition for resigning from the UNP leadership.

When asked whether the same condition was valid for this time’s talks, SJB general secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that they have not put forward such a condition.

“Today, the entire country is saying that Ranil is the only one left to save the country. What we have to choose at this time are not popular leaders. We need a leader who can save the country,” former MP Rajitha Senaratne said.

Discussions are scheduled to take place regarding the formation of an alliance between the UNP and other opposition parties, including the SJB, to contest the upcoming local government elections.

(With inputs from BBC Sinhala)

The People’s Republic of China has played a vital role in the social and economic development of Sri Lanka for decades, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping today.

Dissanayake said his visit will strengthen bilateral collaborations for the benefit of both countries and their people.

President Dissanayake, who is currently on a four-day state visit to China, held an official meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this afternoon (15) at the Great Hall of the People.

Upon President Dissanayake’s arrival at the Great Hall, he was warmly received by President Xi Jinping. The welcoming ceremony was conducted with great honour, including a ceremonial gun salute, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

Following the initial cordial discussions between the two leaders, bilateral talks commenced. During the discussions, President Xi Jinping emphasized China’s readiness to work closely with Sri Lanka in ushering in a new era of development.

He also recalled the longstanding relationship between the two countries, highlighting the close friendship that has existed for decades. President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to continuing its cooperation with Sri Lanka in the future, the PMD said.

Upon concluding the official meeting, both sides proceeded to sign several key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening collaboration in areas such as economy, social development, and industry.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, and Director General of the Government Information Department H.S.K.J. Bandara were also part of the delegation accompanying President Disanayake.

The United States of America has praised the new government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for its dedication to economic reforms and anti-corruption measures.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, said that as the United States prepares to inaugurate President Trump there will be a transition of the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka later this year,

“We welcome the Sri Lankan government’s commitment to staying on track with the IMF program and finalization of its international sovereign bond restructuring, to its commitment to combatting corruption and working with partners like AmCham to create a transparent, rules-based investment climate that will drive growth. ,” said Ambassador Chung highlighting the importance of Sri Lanka’s adherence to the IMF program and the finalization of its international sovereign bond restructuring.

She noted that while stability is a crucial first step, the more challenging task lies in fostering growth, productivity, and sustainable economic practices.

The launch of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, which aims to reset the country’s political and economic culture, was also commended.

Ambassador Chung expressed optimism about the concrete steps that will be taken to fulfill this pledge of reforms, including the potential restructuring of inefficient state-owned enterprises, honoring contracts, and ensuring a level playing field for foreign companies.

“With the launch of the government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” that indicates not just a clean environment but a resetting of political and economic culture, we look forward to seeing what concrete steps are made and how we can all contribute to this pledge of reforms, whether it’s on anti corruption or beyond. Will inefficient state-owned enterprises be reformed? Will contracts be honored? Will foreign companies have a level playing field and not face protectionist policies? Where will AI take us in business?,” added Julie Chung.

Addressing global challenges, Ambassador Chung acknowledged the impact of shipping delays caused by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, economic headwinds from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and other political flashpoints. She stressed the importance of planning, mitigating, and navigating these challenges effectively.

The United States, she noted, is already supporting Sri Lanka through Development Finance Corporation loans for SMEs, entrepreneurial training, and technical assistance from the Treasury Department and USAID on renewable energy, procurement, and tax revenue reform. As the leading export market for Sri Lanka, the US continues to be a significant contributor to the Sri Lankan economy.

Sri Lanka will continue a joint venture with India to develop Trincomalee Oil Tank farm aiming to earn more foreign exchange to the country, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakady said.

Contrary to strong protests by Marxists Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the key coalition partner of the ruling National People’s Power (NPP), the government will go ahead with the plan signed under the previous government.

The agreement for the Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt) Ltd (TPTL) between the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Lanka IOC, a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation, was signed in January 2022 when the island nation was grappling with a financial crisis before Colombo declared sovereign debt default.

The TPTL had originally planned to invest up to $70 million in refurbishing 51 oil tanks in the Oil Tank Farm which has 99 tanks with the capacity of 10,000 metric tons each, built in the World War II era in a 600 acre land adjacent to Trincomalee port in Eastern Sri Lanka.

Out of the 99 tanks, 15 are operated by Lanka IOC while the balance is expected to be used by CPC.

The Department of Government Information in a statement said efforts are being made to earn a huge amount of foreign exchange for the country through the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm in line with the new government’s energy policy and programs.

“For this, the Lanka IOC and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation are working together. So the Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd, a joint venture between India and Sri Lanka, is being implemented through the company,” Energy Minister Jayakady was quoted as saying.

The phase 1 of the joint venture project was estimated to cost between $15-20 million and was to be completed in 2023.

However, Sri Lanka’s unprecedented economic crisis delayed the project amid protests by JVP.

Former Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has said the tanks owned by CPC in Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm cannot be developed because of a clause in the agreement with India.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promised to cancel the deal with India when it was signed.

Minister Jayakody during an inspection tour of the Trincomalee Port Oil Tank Farm said the tanks, which were built during the British era, are in good condition.

He said with necessary minor renovations and the construction of the pipeline network, it will develop to supply bunkering oil for ships in corporation with the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation along with the development of Trincomalee harbor, which is considered as one of the top natural port in the world.