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Largest ever China Aid project handed over to SL

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The Out-Patient Department (OPD) building of the Sri Lankan National Hospital has been handed over to Sri Lankan authorities yesterday (25).

The 08 storey building with 50,000 sq. metres, is the largest ever China-Aid project in Sri Lanka, is expected to be open to the public soon and would help the hospital’s daily handling capacity to 6,000 patients.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong and Sri Lankan Minister of Health – Keheliya Rambukwella, representing the two sides, signed the handover documents and attended a ceremony in Colombo to celebrate the event.

Noting that the Chinese government has prioritized the health sector in the development of bilateral relations, ambassador Qi said China has provided medical supplies and vaccines to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noting the opening of the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital in Polonnaruwa, the largest specialized hospital on kidney diseases in South Asia, Qi said eight mobile labs gifted by China have been deployed last year to help detect chronic kidney disease in rural areas.

The ambassador also added that China has also provided emergency medicine supply to Sri Lanka, hoping China’s efforts could bring tangible benefits to front-line medical workers and patients.

Appreciating China’s long-term support, Rambukwella said that the outpatient building is a considerable and really needed project for the country’s health sector, and he is sure that medical professionals in the country will make the best use of it for the people, who will benefit immensely.

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IMF grants waivers despite obligation breach & erred reporting

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The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewed non complying purchases made by Sri Lanka under the 2023 Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) as well as inaccuracies of information reported to the IMF.

However, the IMF has decided to grant waivers and not pursue further action, citing corrective measures and a commitment to reform by Sri Lankan authorities.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair – Mr. Kenji Okamura, has issued the following statement:

“The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewed non complying purchases made by Sri Lanka under the 2023 Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (“EFF”), as well as a breach of obligations under Article VIII, Section 5. The noncomplying purchases arose as a result of the provision of inaccurate information by the authorities on the stock of expenditure arrears at the first, second, and third reviews under the EFF.

“The inaccuracies in information provided to the IMF were inadvertent and arose because of weaknesses in the timely reporting of arrears by line ministries to the Ministry of Finance, as well as a misunderstanding by the authorities of the definition of “arrears” under the Technical Memorandum of Understanding. 

“The Executive Board positively considered the authorities’ corrective actions, the fact that arrears repayments will be accommodated within the existing fiscal envelope, and the authorities’ commitment to improving public financial management procedures in line with the new PFM law, to reduce the risk of accruing arrears or inaccurate reporting of information going forward. In view of the above, the Executive Board agreed to grant waivers for the nonobservances of the quantitative performance criterion that gave rise to the noncomplying purchases and decided not to require further action in connection with the breach of obligations under Article VIII, Section 5.”

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Abdul Wazeeth appointed to Parliament from SLMC national list

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Abdul Wazeeth of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has been appointed as a Member of Parliament, the National Election Commission has announced.

His appointment comes following the resignation of former MP M. S. Naleem, who had entered Parliament through the SLMC National List after the 2024 parliamentary election.

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Tense situation in Kahawatta as residents clash with police

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Police had been compelled to use tear gas to control a tense situation that erupted between residents and police in Kahawatta following the funeral of a youth who was shot dead recently.

The funeral was held today (July 03) and the clash had broken out shortly afterwards.

Residents had expressed anger over the handling of the and had hurled stones at the police, reports say.

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