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“India Defence Forces offer around 1500 training slots to SL each year”

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Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka – Vinod K Jacob  has noted that Indian Defence Forces offer about 1500 training slots every year to Sri Lanka which are financed through a special programme with an annual allocation of USD 7 million.

He has said this while addressing the Indian Navy-trained Sri Lanka Defence Forces personnel on board Indian Naval Ship Sukanya in Colombo on 28 February 2023.

He said that training is the strongest and most enduring pillar of bilateral Defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

Training is imparted for cadets at premier Defence Institutes in India like National Defence College, Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy. In addition, various service-specific training modules and staff courses are also offered. Sri Lanka receives the maximum number of billets in Higher Defence Management and National Defence College Courses. Deputy High Commissioner noted that it is a matter of immense satisfaction for India that some of these alumni have risen to the ranks of Service Chiefs of Sri Lanka.

Deputy High Commissioner Jacob remarked that India-Sri Lanka relations are excellent and form the highlight of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. While both countries are working to deepen engagement across the board, five areas are of particular significance in the immediate short and medium term. First is the potential for economic and financial cooperation by building on the Indian support to the people of Sri Lanka in 2022 to the tune of USD 4 billion. He emphasized that focus could be laid on areas such as trade in national currencies, ease of investments and strengthening financial cooperation. Second, the two sides are working towards increasing air, ferry, digital and energy connectivity. Third, a new type of development cooperation partnership building on the existing multi-billion portfolio with special emphasis on vulnerable communities is required. Fourth, both sides need to enhance people to people exchanges, particularly in tourist movements. Fifth, it is essential to strengthen the cultural, religious, music, movie and sporting links for mutual benefit.

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President’s House to be shifted to Sandun Uyana

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The government has decided to construct a new President’s Official Residence and the Presidential Secretariat on the site of the National ‘Sandun Uyana’ (Sandalwood Garden) built at a cost of Rs.300 million.

Since it has been decided to use the President’s House premises in Colombo Fort for a development project under the Colombo Port City Project, it has been decided to build a new President’s House and the Secretariat at the Sandun Uyana.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne has also recommended that the Sandun Uyana prepared in nine acres near the Parliament premises is suitable for that purpose.

Accordingly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to prepare future plans and submit a report.

The President’s Office said that it has also been decided to relocate the Prime Minister’s office and the Prime Minister’s official residence on another plot of land located near the Sandun Uyana.

The President has informed the UDA to look into the possibility of moving the Cabinet office to another plot of land nearby, and the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to study the space required for this construction and submit a report.

The Sandun Uyana project was built and opened during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

A total of 300 red sandalwood plants and 900 white sandalwood plants were planted in the garden at a cost of Rs.300 million by the UDA.

Although this garden was planned to be opened by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 20, 2021, it was opened by Minister Namal Rajapaksa.

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Only 50 Dollars to go to India by passenger ferry!

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Sri Lanka will commence the operations of the passenger ferry service between Kankesanthurai and Pondicherry on April 29, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation said.

It said a passenger terminal is currently being constructed at the Kankesanthurai Port to facilitate the ferry service by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Ferry owners have mentioned during a recent discussion that they will be charging 50 US Dollars per passenger for a one-way trip, while allowing a passenger to carry baggage weighing 100kg. 

A ferry is expected to carry 150 passengers at a time and will take around 4 hours to travel from Karaikal Port in Pondicherry to Kankesanthurai.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that any businessman in India and Sri Lanka can join this passenger ferry service.

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Uebert Angel brought in by Jerome Fernando involved in gold smuggling!

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It has been revealed that Zimbabwean pastor Uebert Angel, who was brought to Sri Lanka by ‘Born-Again’ religious sect leader Pastor Jerome Fernando, is involved in large-scale gold smuggling.

This was revealed during an investigation conducted by Al Jazeera News.

This pastor has also worked as a Zimbabwean diplomat.

The Zimbabwean pastor has participated in the services held at the Katunayake ‘Miracle Dome’ hall owned by Pastor Jerome Fernando on several occasions.

During his visit to Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwean pastor had met former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well.

According to Al Jazeera, Uebert Angel has laundered millions of US dollars through gold smuggling.

Angel, appointed ambassador-at-large and a presidential envoy by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March 2021, has told reporters he would be able to carry large volumes of dirty cash into the country using his diplomatic status.

The 44-year-old, who claims to be a prophet and heads a congregation — the Good News Church — with branches in 15 countries, said he would facilitate a scheme through which unaccounted cash could be exchanged for Zimbabwe’s gold. 

Source – Aruna

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