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India boosts aid to Sri Lanka, focuses on neighbourhood first policy

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The India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has allocated INR 54,830 million for aid to foreign nations, higher than last year’s budget estimate of INR 48,830 million, but lower than last year’s revised estimate of INR 58,060 million.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka saw an increase in its aid allocation at INR 3,000 million from last year’s budget estimate of INR 2,450 million.

The overall budget for the MEA stands at INR 20,516 crore — lower than the budget estimate of INR 22,154 crore and revised estimate of INR 25,277 crore, for the year 2024-2025.

Sources said that at this stage, no allocation has been made towards EXIM bank provisioning in MEA’s budget but may be done at a later phase if the need arises. This allocation of INR 20,516.61 crore is an increase of 15.45 % in comparison to last year’s budget without the allocation towards EXIM bank provisioning, sources said.

The MEA budget has placed an emphasis on India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. INR 4,320 crore — 64 per cent of the total scheme portfolio — has been earmarked for the country’s immediate neighbouINR for initiatives like large infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric plants, power transmission lines, housing, roads, bridges and integrated check-posts.

Bhutan continues to be India’s largest foreign aid recipient, receiving INR 2,150 crore in 2025-26, which is an increase from last year’s budget estimate of INR 2,068 crore. Although, this is a decrease from last year’s revised estimate of INR 2,543 crore. India’s allocation for the Maldives has increased from INR 400 crore (budget estimate) and INR 470 crore (revised estimate) to INR 600 crore. 

Afghanistan has seen its aid allocation decrease from last year’s budget estimate of INR 200 crore to INR 100 crore. But, it is an increase from INR 50 crore of revised estimates. Afghanistan has been allocated an aid of INR 100 crore, which is a decrease from last year’s budget estimate of INR 200 crore but an increase from INR 50 crore of revised estimate.

Myanmar’s allocation increased from INR 250 crore in the 2024-25 budget to INR 350 crore for 2025-26. However, the aid has decreased from last year’s revised estimate of INR 400 crore.

India has maintained its allocation for Nepal at INR 700 crore. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka saw an increase in its aid allocation at INR 300 crore from last year’s budget estimate of INR 245 crore.

Aid to Bangladesh remains unchanged at INR 120 crore while aid to African nations rose to INR 225 crore from last year’s INR 200 crore.

Latin America’s allocation has been reduced from last year’s INR 90 crore to INR 60 crore. However, the initial budget estimate was INR 30 cr. The allocation for Chabahar Port in Iran remains at INR 100 crore.

Source: The Indian Express

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Petition against secret ballot at Seethawaka PS, dismissed

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The Court of Appeal has dismissed without hearing, a petition filed by opposition members of the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha.

The petition sought an interim injunction against Western Province Local Government Commissioner – Sarangika Jayasundara, urging to stop a secret ballot for electing the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

The decision, delivered by a panel of judges comprising the Chairman of the Court of Appeal – Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.

Meanwhile, the similar petitions from the Mawathagama and Seethawaka Urban Councils were also rejected.

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Duminda granted bail under strict conditions

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Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, who was arrested and remanded over the discovery of a gold-plated T-56 firearm at an apartment complex in Havelock Town, Colombo, has been granted bail under strict conditions.

Colombo Chief High Court Judge – Manjula Thilakaratne today (July 14) ordered his release on a cash bail of Rs.250,000 and 02 surety bonds of Rs.05 million each.

The court further directed that the 02 sureties must be Colombo residents and ordered that Dissanayake’s passport be handed over to the court, imposing a travel ban on him.

Although the counsel for the Attorney General strongly objected to bail being granted, the Chief High Court Judge ruled that, since it has not yet been established that the suspect was in possession of the firearm, the court decided to grant bail.  

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CEYPETCO halts recruitment amid workforce downsizing

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Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) Managing Director – Dr. Mayura Nettikumara says no new recruitments will be made, as modern technology has enabled the corporation to reduce its workforce.

He assured that existing employees need not fear about their job security, explaining that the current staff strength has been downsized from around 3,290 in 2012 to 2,031 under a new manpower structure.

Many employees are due to retire this year and next, and will not be replaced, he said.

“We have stopped many inefficient services, so there is no need for new people now,” Dr. Nettikumara has further said.

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