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China gives Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium

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China yesterday responded to Sri Lanka’s long-standing request for a commitment on rescheduling its debts as a prelude to a bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with an offer for a two-year moratorium, the media has reported.

In a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Finance Minister, the Exim Bank of China responsible for much of the loans given to Sri Lanka said the two-year moratorium would be a short-term suspension of the debts owed to China while asking all parties, i.e. Sri Lanka’s creditors to get together to work out medium-term and long-term commitments.

It is learned that the letter also extends China’s support to the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and requests the IMF to go ahead with the discussions on debt restructuring that will lead to an IMF program.

The letter giving China’s assurances arrived on the eve of a Paris Club meeting of Sri Lanka’s creditors scheduled for next week where Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring measures are to be discussed as a prelude to a US dollars 2.9 million IMF program to bail out Sri Lanka from its current economic crisis.

Sri Lanka’s efforts to get China’s support along with India’s support for rescheduling its loans were being negotiated for several months.

It comes shortly after India announced that it had written to the IMF extending its assurances in writing that it would support an IMF program for an Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka. China, India and Japan are Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral creditors.

Soon after the Indian assurances were given to the IMF, its External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called upon other countries to be “proactive” in supporting Sri Lanka. Dr. Jaishankar who was in Sri Lanka on a 24-hour visit on Thursday and Friday said India was willing to support Sri Lanka “fully” in its efforts to come out of its current financial crisis.

China’s International Department Vice Minister Chen Zhou who was in Sri Lanka earlier in the week, also announced that China was about to announce some “good news” on Sri Lanka’s request to consider rescheduling its debts.

The letter from the Chinese Exim (Export-Import) Bank, the state-run institution responsible for foreign loans, arrived in Colombo on the eve of the Chinese lunar New Year which begins today.

It was not immediately known if the Chinese assurances contained in the letter would meet the requirements of the Paris Club and the IMF.

Participation at the Paris Club by India and China was also not immediately known, but the Sunday Times learns that the Sri Lankan Finance Ministry was confident it was sufficient consent for the IMF to go ahead with discussions on its debt restructuring schedule leading to its bailout program. for Sri Lanka.

(Sunday Times)

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Test kits ordered to detect ‘Nipah’ virus

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Steps have been taken to import special test kits needed for the detection of ‘Nipah’ virus, the Health Ministry said.

Special test kits recommended by the World Health Organization have been ordered to detect the virus and they are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in a few days.

Commenting further, Virologist Dr. Janaki Abeynayake said that no specific treatment or vaccine has been developed globally for patients infected with Nipah virus.

However, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said that there is no high risk of the virus spreading among countries since the virus spreading pace is slower.

The Ministry requested the public not panic over the virus that has been reported in several countries including India.

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Keheliya & ministry officials undertake 50 foreign tours

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Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the officials of his Ministry had undertaken 50 foreign tours in one year, a report prepared by the International Health Division of the Ministry revealed.

These reports have been compiled by Deputy Director General (Planning) of the Health Ministry Dr. S. Sri Dharan.

It was prepared following a Right to Information (RTI) request made by an organisation called ‘Citizens Power Against Bribery and Corruption.’

Accordingly, Health Minister Rambukwella has made five foreign trips, Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta has made two foreign trips and Health Services Director General Asela Gunawardena has made four foreign trips.

These foreign trips have taken place as per the invitations made by representative organizations including the World Health Organization, and those organizations have provided expenses for air tickets, food and accommodation facilities.

Furthermore, the International Health Division of the Ministry of Health has approved foreign duty leave for these doctors and has also given them a casual allowance.

Interestingly, the deputy director general who prepared the report has engaged in the highest number of foreign trips.

Source – Aruna

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Health workers to protest demanding solutions

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The Collective of United Health Service Trade Unions and the United People’s Movement are scheduled to launch protests outside health institutions today (22) demanding immediate solutions to several issues in the health sector.

This series of protests has been named as the National Health Protest Day.

Several civil organizations and people are expected to join the protest which will be held from 12 noon to 1 pm along with health trade unions.

The protest will also force the government to solve the issue of health professionals leaving the country, All Ceylon Nurses’ Union President S. B. Madiwatta said.

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