News

Countries like SL, ready to embark on BRI 2nd stage

Published

6 months ago

November 20, 2023

editor

Sri Lankan President – Ranil Wickremesinghe has noted that countries such as Sri Lanka, participants in the Belt & Road initiative (BRI), are prepared to embark on the second phase of the initiative, which is expected to make a more substantial economic contribution.

He expressed this when the Special envoy of the Chinese President, state councillor – Mrs. Shen Yiqin, and the delegation paid a courtesy call this morning (20) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The primary focus of the meeting was to enhance tourism and trade relations between the two countries.

The President has expressed gratitude for China’s support to Sri Lanka, notably acknowledging their assistance in the country’s debt restructuring program. He extended sincere thanks to the Chinese President and the government for their invaluable support in this regard.

Additionally, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed Sri Lanka’s desire to augment cooperation between the two countries in the fields of tourism, sports and agriculture and also highlighted that both the Hambantota Port and Port City are currently prepared for investment opportunities.

The President also noted that countries such as Sri Lanka, participants in the Belt & Road initiative, are prepared to embark on the second phase of the initiative, which is expected to make a more substantial economic contribution.

The President outlined the measures taken by Sri Lanka to access the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), while further affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to preserving the Indian Ocean as a free zone for navigation and ensuring it remains a peaceful region, free from global geopolitical rivalries.

The Chinese Special Envoy had stated that China is also prioritizing the extension of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor to Sri Lanka.

Additionally, both parties had agreed to expedite the implementation of the China-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.

Mrs. Shen Yiqin had reaffirmed China’s enduring support to Sri Lanka and emphasized her commitment to strengthening the relations between the two countries.

The President was accompanied by the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security & Chief-of-Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, and Director of International Affairs Dinouk Colombage.

(Excerpts : President’s Media Division)

News

Senior diplomat to oversee Sri Lankan embassy in Russia

Published

7 hours ago

May 19, 2024

nipuni

It is reported that the government has planned to send a senior officer of the foreign service to the Sri Lankan embassy in Russia until a new ambassador is appointed due to the lack of an ambassador.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Taraka Balasuriya has told the media that the absence of an ambassador is just a gap in the work procedure, and based on the current situation in Russia, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be directed to supervise its affairs.

He emphasized that a retired foreign service senior is being sent and the lack of an ambassador is not a major problem.

The Minister further stated that there is already a senior Foreign Service officer there, and given the urgent need, a very senior Foreign Service officer is being sent not because the officer currently in Russia is inadequate.

Mr. Balasuriya has stressed that this is being done to strengthen the operation and that the work will be done according to the normal protocol.

However, even though an ambassador has been appointed to Russia, Mr. Balasuriya has made arrangements not to reveal who it is to the media.

The former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, was given three extensions, and she ended her service at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow on April 29.

At present, Counsellor Ruvini K. Munidasa serves as the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy.

News

Colombo air show and CADE 2024 exhibition postponed to next year

Published

17 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024), initially set to take place from May 29 to June 2 at Galle Face and Colombo Port City, has been postponed to next year, according to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

The SLAF stated that the decision to reschedule the event was made in response to multiple requests from international partners, defence industry stakeholders, and foreign Air Forces. This postponement aims to enhance participation and provide a more diverse experience for spectators.

The rescheduled event will now be held from February 26 to March 2, 2025, coinciding with the 74th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

News

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrives in Sri Lanka

Published

18 hours ago

May 18, 2024

editor

The Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon (18) for a three-day visit. He was welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon and Eastern Province Governor Senthil Thondaman.

During his stay from May 18 to 20, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will participate in an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom,’ which will be held at Taj Samudra on May 19. Renowned for his global humanitarian efforts and as a peace envoy, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is also an Indian yoga guru and the founder of ‘Transcendental Meditation’.