Category: News

The Indian High Commission said that the government of India had extended a grant assistance of USD 63.65 million to the government of Sri Lanka for rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, which was earlier envisaged to be undertaken under a Line of Credit.

This is in line with India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its journey towards progress and prosperity, in close partnership with India. The HC spokesperson said so in a press release that dealt with the resumption of the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The ferry service that has been launched in October 2023, was relaunched on August 16, 2024.

The spokesperson said: “The ferry ‘Sivagangai’ run by a private operator, IndSri Ferry Services, completed its maiden journey between Nagapattinam and KKS in approximately 4 hours with around 50 passengers on board. The passengers were welcomed at the KKS port by the Consul General of India in Jaffna.

This resumption of ferry service is a testament to the broader effort to enhance maritime connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. In order to make the service more affordable for passengers, Government of India has decided to provide financial assistance of over LKR 25 million per month, for a period of one year, to cover relevant charges and operating costs at Nagapattinam port. Similarly, Government of Sri Lanka has reduced the deviation tax currently charged to passengers leaving Sri Lanka by passenger vessels and ships.

The resumption of this service underscores the commitment of both countries to strengthening bilateral relations through improved connectivity, as highlighted in the vision document for economic partnership jointly adopted during the visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India in July 2023. Future plans include the exploration of additional routes and services that will further expand connectivity and economic collaboration.”

Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, reaffirmed India’s commitment to respecting the choices of the Sri Lankan people and maintaining strong bilateral relations, regardless of the governing bodies in either country.

He made these comments following a meeting with the Mahanayake Thero’s in Kandy.

“It is Sri Lankan people’s choice and Sri Lanka will decide, and we will respect whatever the Sri Lankan people decide. So we work with the government, which is chosen by the Sri Lankan people. Our friendship is primarily with all of Sri Lanka, for all of Sri Lankan people,” Jha stated.

Addressing the ambitious project of building a bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka, Jha clarified the timeline and expectations.

“This is something that will take time. It’s a long gestation period. It’s a very big project. So it’s not a matter of one or two years. I didn’t say two years. I can’t even say how long it will take. It may take five years, six years, whatever. It depends on both sides working together. It will be done purely with mutual agreement and understanding. So there is no question of this moving faster or, you know, it will go at its own speed,” he explained.

US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer Littlejohn is on a visit to Sri Lanka from August 19 to 21.

“During her visit, she will engage with officials and partners, explore US-supported wildlife protection projects, and discuss opportunities to connect Sri Lankan and US experts in hydrography, climate change, and biodiversity,” US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said on X (twitter).

She will discuss nature and marine conservation, plastic and air pollution, the climate crisis, deforestation, nature crimes, civil and commercial space activities, promoting women and girls in STEM, and the sustainable blue economy, a statement by the embassy said.

After Colombo Littlejohn will travel to India and Maldives.

Over 24,000 postal vote applications for the upcoming Presidential election have been rejected, the Elections Commission said.

The Commissioner General of Elections, Saman Sri Ratnayake said that 736,589 applications were received for postal voting during the 2024 Presidential election.

He said that of the 736,589 applications 24,268 postal vote applications were rejected.

Sri Lankan will elect a new President on 21st September 2024.

Postal voting for the election will be held on September 04, 05 and 06.

Seventeen former Kurunegala Pradeshiya Sabha members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have extended their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the upcoming presidential election.

This decision follows a meeting with the UNP Assistant Leader, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.

During the said meeting, they have assured their commitment to work towards President Wickremesinghe’s victory in election.

Meanwhile, the appointment letters were presented yesterday (19) to the newly appointed District Organizers of the UNP at the party’s headquarters – Sirikotha, under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

MP Ishak Rahuman, and former MPs P. Harrison, and W. B. Ekanayake were appointed as District Organizers for Anuradhapura while Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe, a former member of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), was appointed as a Colombo District UNP Organizer.

Additionally, former Deputy Minister Nishantha Muthuhettigamage, was appointed as a Galle District UNP Organizer.

Furthermore, a total of 295 persons were also appointed as District and Electoral Organizers.