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President will visit China in October

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to make an official visit to China in October, his first to that country since becoming the Head of State last year.

According to Government sources his main role will be to look for new investments, reach trade agreements and resume funding for stalled projects.   Expediting investments for the Colombo Port Financial City and discussions with the Exim Bank on resuming funding for the Central Expressway–Kadwatha-Mirigama section–would be on the table for discussion during the visit, while looking for new investments around the Hambantota area would be on the priority list, the sources said.

A Chinese investment in a refinery project in Hambantota which was expected to draw funds of US$ four billion was also expected to be discussed and finalised during the visit.

The Terms of Reference for the Establishment of an export oriented petroleum refinery and an associated product processing centre in Hambantota had already been finalised by the Power and Energy Ministry.

Ahead of the President’s visit, the Chinese Foreign Minister was expected to lead a delegation to Sri Lanka.

The visiting Chinese delegation was expected to review the expressway project, the Colombo Port Financial City proposed projects and the investments around the Hambantota area in addition to looking at potential new projects.

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Excise officials kidnap beedi businessman & forcefully take Rs.1mn

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The Walasmulla Police have launched an investigation into an incident where a Beedi businessman was kidnapped and assaulted before forcefully taking Rs.1 million from him.

The business license of the businessman residing in Maraketiya, Rajapuragoda in Walasmulla expired on June 26. A team of excise officials including the OIC of the Tangalle Excise Unit had arrived at his house on September 18 and seized the Beedi leaves.

Excise officials had demanded Rs.1.4 million from the businessman not to take legal action in this regard.

They had taken the businessman away in a three-wheeler, beaten him up, and then had taken an amount of Rs.1 million by force.

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Test kits ordered to detect ‘Nipah’ virus

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Steps have been taken to import special test kits needed for the detection of ‘Nipah’ virus, the Health Ministry said.

Special test kits recommended by the World Health Organization have been ordered to detect the virus and they are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in a few days.

Commenting further, Virologist Dr. Janaki Abeynayake said that no specific treatment or vaccine has been developed globally for patients infected with Nipah virus.

However, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said that there is no high risk of the virus spreading among countries since the virus spreading pace is slower.

The Ministry requested the public not panic over the virus that has been reported in several countries including India.

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Keheliya & ministry officials undertake 50 foreign tours

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Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and the officials of his Ministry had undertaken 50 foreign tours in one year, a report prepared by the International Health Division of the Ministry revealed.

These reports have been compiled by Deputy Director General (Planning) of the Health Ministry Dr. S. Sri Dharan.

It was prepared following a Right to Information (RTI) request made by an organisation called ‘Citizens Power Against Bribery and Corruption.’

Accordingly, Health Minister Rambukwella has made five foreign trips, Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta has made two foreign trips and Health Services Director General Asela Gunawardena has made four foreign trips.

These foreign trips have taken place as per the invitations made by representative organizations including the World Health Organization, and those organizations have provided expenses for air tickets, food and accommodation facilities.

Furthermore, the International Health Division of the Ministry of Health has approved foreign duty leave for these doctors and has also given them a casual allowance.

Interestingly, the deputy director general who prepared the report has engaged in the highest number of foreign trips.

Source – Aruna

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