News

China to help SL address challenges of financial debt

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2023

editor

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, vowed that China will help Sri Lanka effectively address the challenges of financial debt on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the sidelines of the seventh China-South Asian Expo in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

China is always Sri Lanka’s reliable strategic partner and appreciates that Sri Lanka has always been friendly to China and has stood by China on issues related to its core interests, he said.

China also firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding its sovereign independence and national dignity, and is willing to strengthen exchanges of experience in governance as well as cooperation in various fields with Sri Lanka, he said.

Wang vowed that China will help Sri Lanka improve its capacity for independent development, get rid of the “poverty trap” and the “trap of non-development,” accelerate its industrialization process and agricultural modernization.

He expressed belief that Sri Lanka will overcome its temporary difficulties, find a development path in line with its national conditions, and realize revitalization and prosperity.

Noting that Sri Lanka is an important participant and beneficiary of the China-South Asia Expo, he welcomed the Sri Lankan side to continue to make good use of this important platform to further explore the Chinese market.

For his part, Gunawardena thanked China for its firm support for Sri Lanka in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for its timely and effective assistance to Sri Lanka in times of difficulty.

The forward-looking flagship cooperation projects between the two sides such as the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port will bring benefits to the Sri Lankan people and play a key role in regional connectivity and sustainable development, he said.

Sri Lanka will work with China to expand cooperation in economy, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, energy and innovation to help Sri Lanka achieve food self-sufficiency and accelerate the development of key industries, he added.

(CGTN)

News

Ex-ASP Sanjeeva Mahanama granted bail in MP shooting case

Published

3 hours ago

September 14, 2024

editor

Former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sanjeeva Mahanama, arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the shooting of former MP Uddika Premarathna, has been granted bail.

Mahanama appeared before the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court on September 13.

He is accused of aiding and abetting the shooting, which took place on September 17, 2023, when Premarathna’s vehicle was attacked in front of his residence on Airport Road, Anuradhapura.

News

SC orders to file contempt charges against Immigration Controller General

Published

12 hours ago

September 13, 2024

editor

The Supreme Court has ordered to file contempt of court charges against the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for failing to obey the court’s interim order to suspend the implementation of the electronic visa system.

The order was delivered today (13) by a three-member judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe and Achala Wengappuli.

The court also ordered the petitioning party to draft the charges and present it before the court on September 25.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court had directed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to appear before the court in person today (13) with regard to his failure to implement the order issued by the court over the electronic visa matter.

The directive was issued by the Supreme Court after considering motions filed over the non-implementation of the interim order issued by the court regarding the issue.

On August 02, the Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the contract given to private consortium IVS-GBS and VFS Global to operate the visa issuance.

The court had issued this order after considering several Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed by a group including opposition MPs M.A. Sumanthiran, Rauff Hakeem and Patali Champika Ranawaka.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

2 more Bills come into effect

Published

12 hours ago

September 13, 2024

editor

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has endorsed the certificate on the Bills titled Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Bill and Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill today (Sep. 13) in accordance with Article 79 of the Constitution.

The said Bills were passed after the second reading debate held in Parliament on 03rd September.

The Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Bill is to make provision for the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement in Sri Lanka of Judgments of Courts of other countries, to repeal the Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 93) and the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 94) and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Accordingly, this Bill shall be known as the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Act No. 49 of 2024.

In addition, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill is to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979. Accordingly, this Bill shall be known as the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act No. 50 of 2024.