by Kelum Bandara in Daily Mirror, Nov 2, 2023China’s Sinopec is to make an initial investment of US$1.5 billion, the single largest foreign direct investment (FDI), in building a refinery in Hambantota once the agreement is finalized within the next two weeks, a top source said. It remained a foregone conclusion in political circles that the company would be awarded the project, though the government says it is open to any company participating in the…
Posts published in “Sri Lanka”
By Shamindra Ferdinando in The Island, Nov 1, 2023Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, yesterday (31) alleged that the country had been deprived of foreign exchange to the tune of billions of USD over the past three decades due to the failure on the part of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to establish a system to sell hydrographic maps for ships entering Sri Lankan waters. Addressing the media at his office…
by Buddhika Samaraweera in The Daily Morning, Oct 31, 2023The Cabinet of Ministers has directed the Legal Draftsman to prepare a new Employment Bill based on a concept paper prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment and a set of recommendations made by a committee chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The Department of Government Information yesterday (31 October) stated that Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has prepared a concept paper…
by Sahan Tennekoon in Daily Morning, Nov 1, 2023The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (30 October) has granted approval to the joint statement on the establishment of an international organisation for mediation proposed by the Chinese Government. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing yesterday (31 October), Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Bandula Gunawardana said that the Cabinet has granted approval to the said statement, considering it as a timely proposal which strengthens cooperation between partners of…
By Kelum Bandara in Daily Mirror, Oct 31, 2023Sri Lanka is to take a cautious approach in the introduction of 5G technology to navigate geopolitical rivalry to be triggered by the involvement of China’s Huawei, a minister said. 5G race is an already established term in international politics. 5G or the 5th generation wireless technology is poised to transform every aspect of life since it will introduce applications such as self-driving cars, buses, and trains,…
by Melkishiya Andrew in The Daily Morning, Oct 31, 2023The Open University of China and the Open University of Sri Lanka have reached an agreement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for higher education cooperation and to establish a Chinese language centre in Sri Lanka. The MoU is expected to promote international cooperation, scholarly collaboration, cultural interaction, and friendship.https://www.themorning.lk/articles/lmFVKo2oIqRgaNlqve1o
By Norman Palihawadane in The Island, Oct 31, 2023National Catholic Mass Communications Director Fr. Jude Krishantha Fernando said yesterday that Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had been shocked and dismayed by a recent statement made by SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem that Israel had been behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Addressing the media in Colombo, Rev. Fr. Fernando said that Cardinal Ranjith, who is currently in the Vatican, had contacted him and requested that…
by Sahan Tennekoon in The Daily Morning, Oct 30, 2023National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) yesterday (29) confirmed that the Sri Lankan Government will have access to, and ownership of, data collected by the research conducted with the controversial Chinese geophysical and seismic scientific research vessel Shi Yan–6. Following the Chinese vessel being authorised by the Government to jointly survey the island’s “western waters”, NARA is to launch a two-day survey on the…
report in The Island, Oct 30, 2023National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP has recently warned that the country will have to pay a very heavy price for violating bilateral agreements. The MP was commenting on the government delaying a scheduled visit by Chinese research vessel due to pressure exerted by external powers. The former Commerce and Industries Minister said so at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on his return from Beijing where he…
report in Daily FT, Oct 30, 2023The main opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday expressed its strong opposition to the Government’s decision to extend Lanka IOC’s petroleum licence for an additional 20 years. Speaking at a press conference held at the opposition leader’s office in Colombo, SJB Deputy General Secretary Mujibur Rahman raised questions regarding the basis on which the licence renewal was granted by the Government. Rahman pointed out that the agreement with…
report in The Island, Oct 30, 2023Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has warned that the two housing projects funded by China for the benefit of low income families could be jeopardised over a continuing dispute between the Colombo Municipal Council and the Urban Development Authority (UDA). According to a spokesperson for the Urban Development and Housing Ministry, the Chief Government Whip has directed the CMC and the UDA to resolve their differences soon…