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Looking forward to move forward with BRI: RW

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who attached great importance to international cooperation under China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), said that he looks forward to finding solutions to global challenges on the platform of the BRI.

President Wickremesinghe expressed these views while participating in the LEADERS TALK interview programme broadcasted on the CCTV channel of China, prior to his official visit to China.

It was reported that the President and the First Lady are scheduled to arrive in China this (16) afternoon. He left for Singapore last night (15) to go to China.

He will be attending the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) which will be held on Oct 17-18, as 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI.

The 2023 forum will be a very important event marking the 10th anniversary of the BRI global cooperation platform, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier this year.

Wickremasinghe, who commended the BRI as the Rubber-Rice Pact in the new era, participated in the first BRF as prime minister of Sri Lanka in 2017.

In an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Wickremasinghe said that with the third Belt and Road Forum fast approaching, he expects meaningful exchanges on navigating today’s difficulties including debt burden on low-income and middle-income countries and climate change issues.

With many countries facing hardships, the president stressed collective solutions will be the key, he stressed.

“From the first Belt and Road Summit for International Cooperation in 2017, then the second and up to now, the world situation has changed. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the economy of every country. At the same time, we also face the challenges brought by climate change, and it is a must to develop a green economy. There is also the debt pressure on low and middle income countries, such as Sri Lanka, which is undergoing a debt crisis. Many other countries have debt problems too. In the face of new difficulties and major global challenges, we hope to find solutions by participating in international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative,” Wickremasinghe said.

In 1952, China and Sri Lanka opened the door for friendly exchanges by signing the Rubber-Rice Pact, demonstrating their national spirit in the fight against hegemony and power politics, and breaking the Cold War isolation imposed by the West.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Tamil political parties met with the President at the President’s Office yesterday (15) demanding that the lands acquired by the government in Batticaloa District be returned to the people.

The Eastern Province Governor, Mahaweli Director General, army chiefs, government officials and others participated in the meeting.

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03 vehicles collide at railway crossing

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03 vehicles have collided at the Merawala railway crossing on the Chilaw-Colombo main road.

The accident occurred at around 6.25 a.m. this morning (May 21) when a van, which had stopped behind a fuel bowser at the Chilaw Marawala railway crossing while it was closed for train traffic, was rear-ended by a prime mover transporting cement.

The prime mover had been unable to stop due to brake failure.

The van involved in the accident sustained significant damage and Chilaw Police are currently conducting further investigations.



(Pic: Accident 1st)

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Ramith Rambukwella arrives before CIABOC

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Ramith Rambukwella – son of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella arrived at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) earlier today (May 21) to record a statement.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali yesterday (May 20) ordered the further remand of Keheliya Rambukwella until June 03, following his arrest by the CIABOC over 03 complaints related to alleged corruption.

The court also granted permission to name Ramith Rambukwella as a suspect in the case.

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Mahindananda seeks permission for home cooked meals

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Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who is currently in remand custody, has submitted a written request to prison authorities seeking permission to receive food from his home.

He is currently being held at the “M 2” ward of the Colombo Remand Prison along with around 10 other prisoners, according to reports.

It is also reported that former minister Keheliya Rambukwella is being detained in the same ward.

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