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Tag: Lanka

  • India the biggest friend, says Lanka PM

    India the biggest friend, says Lanka PM

    Lanka PM called on Indian companies to invest further in Sri Lanka…reports Asian Lite News

    Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene on Tuesday called India as the biggest friend of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis.

    Addressing the Tata Tiscon Dealer Convention 2023, he called on Indian companies to invest further in Sri Lanka. Outlining the benefits of Indian investments in Sri Lanka, PM Gunawardene highlighted that 90 per cent of components used by Lanka Ashok Leyland were indigenous.

    At the event, High Commissioner Gopal Baglay said that both the Indian government and Indian corporates are working to build relationships that are beneficial to the people within and beyond India, especially the neighbours, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Neighbourhood First” Policy.

    He added that the driving force behind this spirit of engagement was community-centred business practices and philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or “world is one family”.

    Referring to India and Sri Lanka as “civilisational twins”, the High Commissioner noted that both governments are promoting people to people as well as business to business ties. He added that presence of numerous Indian business entities for the convention was the biggest vote of confidence not only in the relationship between the two countries but also in Sri Lanka’s potential.

    Business and commercial linkages between the two countries are witnessing steady growth.

    India was the largest investor and also the biggest export destination for Sri Lanka in 2021. It continues to be the largest source of tourists as well. Indian companies in Sri Lanka actively support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery through increased economic activities, value addition of products, services, job creation for Sri Lankan nationals and direct assistance to the people of Sri Lanka through various CSR activities.

    ALSO READ: India provides 50 more buses to Lanka

  • India provides 50 more buses to Lanka

    India provides 50 more buses to Lanka

    So far, India has handed over 165 buses as the registration of 40 is already being done…reports Asian Lite News

    Colombo, Feb 5 (IANS) Marking the island nation’s 75th Independence anniversary, India has handed over another 50 buses to strengthen the rural transport services in Sri Lanka.

    The latest fleet of vehicles is part of the 500 buses to be handed over to Sri Lanka, and the relevant documents were officially given to President Ranil Wickremesinghe by Gopal Bagley, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo.

    In January, India gave 75 buses as part of its support to strengthen the transport of its southern neighbour which is going through its worst economic crisis since the 1948 independence from the British colony.

    So far, India has handed over 165 buses as the registration of 40 is already being done, the President’s Media Division (PMD) stated.

    “Arrangements have been made to deliver a total of 500 buses by March and complete the project,” the PMD added.

    President Wickremesinghe has instructed to use all the buses received from India to strengthen the transport services in rural Sri Lanka.

    Handing over 75 buses in January, the Indian High Commission stated that the assistance given as part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy was to support mobility and accessibility in Sri Lanka.

    “Five hundred buses are being supplied to Sri Lanka through Indian assistance towards strengthening public transport infrastructure,” the High Commission had stated.

    India has also handed over 125 SUVs to the Sri Lanka Police under the line of credit to help the mobility restriction issues faced by the security personnel.

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  • ‘What China offered is not enough’: US on Lanka’s debt crisis

    ‘What China offered is not enough’: US on Lanka’s debt crisis

    The US Under-Secretary made this remark while on an official visit to Sri Lanka to mark the 75th anniversary of US-Sri Lanka relations….reports Susitha Fernando

    Commenting on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process, visiting US Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, complained on Wednesday that while India has made strong commitments for the cash-strapped island nation to unlock the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) $2.9 bailout package, what China has offered so far is not enough.

    The US Under-Secretary made this remark while on an official visit to Sri Lanka to mark the 75th anniversary of US-Sri Lanka relations.

    “India has made strong commitments that it will provide credible assurances that the IMF is looking for. What China has offered so far is not enough. We need to see credible and specific assurances that they will meet the IMF standards of debt relief,” Nuland said, while responding to a question raised by journalists that India has given an assurance to the IMF on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring but China has failed to do so.

    “We all as major creditors of Sri Lanka had been working with the IMF. As the largest bilateral creditor of Sri Lanka, we are sad that China will provide credible and specific assurance regarding its readiness to join the rest of us in meeting IMF standards regarding debt restructuring. So we are increasingly seeing that all the rest of the Sri Lanka’s creditors coming forward with their assurances. Now all eyes are on China to do the same,” Nuland stressed.

    “We want to see the IMF agreement as quickly as possible. That’s what Sri Lanka deserves, that’s what Sri Lanka needs with the United States prepared to do its part while our Paris Club partners are also prepared to do their part,” Nuland stated.

    Facing a crucial economic crisis, Sri Lanka is awaiting the IMF’s four-year bail out of $2.9 billion but it requires assurances from the major creditors, including China, Japan and India.

    On January 20, India had formally informed the IMF of its assurance for Sri Lanka to get the bailout package. However, China’s Export-Import Bank has offered only a two-year moratorium on its debt. Yet China’s assurance is not sufficient for the IMF to release the much-needed bailout package for Sri Lanka.

    ALSO READ: Lanka govt seeks support for Katchatheevu church festival

  • Reliance inks key deal with Lanka’s Maliban

    Reliance inks key deal with Lanka’s Maliban

    Maliban, a biscuit manufacturer, is well known for last 70 years for its range of quality products including biscuits, crackers, cookies and wafers…reports Asian Lite News

       

    Reliance Consumer Products Limited, the FMCG arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited, on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership with Sri Lanka-headquartered Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Private) Limited (Maliban).

    Maliban, a biscuit manufacturer, is well known for last 70 years for its range of quality products including biscuits, crackers, cookies and wafers.

    In addition, the company has expanded its products reach to global markets and exports to over 35 countries across five continents.

       “With a leading market position, Maliban has deep-rooted heritage and credibility. With this strategic partnership between RCPL and Maliban, we will not only be strengthening our FMCG portfolio through a great brand but will also be able to offer an excellent value proposition through quality products to our Indian consumers,” said Isha Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Retail Ventures, in a release.

       “Being the custodian of several widely known global brands in India, Reliance is well-positioned to further expand the excellent consumer equity and reach that Maliban has built over 70 years,” Isha Ambani said.

       The vision of Reliance’s FMCG arm is to bring to Indian consumers a bouquet of domestic and globally recognised consumer brands and product choices that offer superior value proposition with exceptional quality.

       It launched its packaged consumer products brand, ‘Independence’ in December 2022 and is creating a distinct and dedicated retail distribution network for its fast-expanding FMCG portfolio.

       RRVL, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, operates more than 16,500 own stores and partners with over 2 million merchants across Grocery, Electronics, Apparel, Pharmacy, lingerie, home and furnishing, beauty and personal care. (ANI)

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  • Lanka govt seeks support for Katchatheevu church festival

    Lanka govt seeks support for Katchatheevu church festival

    The festival will commence on March 3 after a flag hoisting which will be followed by a holy mass…reports Asian Lite News

    The Sri Lankan government has appealed to donors to support the Katchatheevy St Antony’s Church festival held annually at the Katchatheevu island.

    While Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, people from India are allowed to attend the annual festival of the church.

    However, the Jaffna district administration informed that only a total of 8,000 people would be allowed to participate in the church festivals to be held on March 3 and 4. Of these, only 3,500 people will be from Tamil Nadu.

    While food and other refreshments were provided in the earlier years, due to economic instability and financial crisis, there will be no food provision this year. However, breakfast will be provided on March 4 to the devotees and pilgrims who reach St Antony’s church for prayers.

    The festival will commence on March 3 after a flag hoisting which will be followed by a holy mass. The Way of the Cross will be conducted around the church and a car procession will be taken out.

    The conclusion of the festival will be on March 4 with a grand Eucharist celebration in which priests from both India and Sri Lanka would participate.

    Jaffna District Collector Sivapathasundaram said that the government has decided to limit the number of participants to 8,000 and that pilgrims will have to make their own arrangements for food and other essentials.

    He appealed to interested patrons to provide donations to the Katchatheevu festival.

    ALSO READ: Lanka’s Independence Day celebrations to be low-key

  • Lanka to set up 50 regional passport issuance offices

    Lanka to set up 50 regional passport issuance offices

    The Sri Lankan government will establish 50 regional centres for issuing passports for Sri Lankans, a Minister said.

    A large number of people have to travel long distances to get passports and the government wants to make the process easier with the new offices, said Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles on Sunday.

    At present, four regional offices are issuing passports in Vavuniya, Kurunegala, Matara and Kandy, with the main passport office located in the capital Colombo.

    Alles told the media that there will be a facility to get the passport delivered to the doorstep, Xinhua news agency reported.

    He also said the Department of Immigration and Emigration will introduce an e-passport with an electronic chip soon.

    Drug suspects arrested

    Police in Sri Lanka announced the arrest of over 200 drug suspects in a special operation conducted in parts of the island country.

    Police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa said the operation was jointly carried out by the police, special commandos and the air force in the western and southern parts of Sri Lanka, reports Xinhua news agency.

    He said that during the operation, the police arrested 285 suspects for smuggling narcotics.

    Thalduwa said heroin and cannabis were among the illegal substances seized during the special operation.

    Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Navy said a large haul of cannabis was seized in the northern Jaffna peninsula during an operation carried out by the navy and police.

    The navy said in a statement on Sunday that it will try to prevent the smuggling of narcotics into Sri Lanka using the sea route.

    ALSO READ: Italian choppers to help combat human trafficking in Lanka

  • Italian choppers to help combat human trafficking in Lanka

    Italian choppers to help combat human trafficking in Lanka

    It is not clear what are the modalities for the helicopter procurement…writes Rahul Kumar

    Italy plans to supply helicopters to Sri Lanka to support its battle against human trafficking, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s office said on Wednesday.

    The discussion about the helicopters took place between Italian Ambassador Rita Giuliana Mannella and Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday. The two also discussed strengthening the partnership between the two nations.

    It is not clear what are the modalities for the helicopter procurement.

    The decision is likely to raise eye-brows as the Indian Ocean island nation is still going through a difficult time over its economic situation.

    Besides the helicopters, the two countries plan cultural exchanges, tourism enhancement, investments, defence aspects, and how Italy can help Sri Lanka during these challenging times.

    Sri Lanka faces a problem of human trafficking wherein women have been tricked into working in the Gulf countries on false pretences and pushed into the sex trade. The government is rescuing such stranded women and has been keeping them in safe houses in Gulf countries.

    Sri Lanka has been cooperating with various nations in tackling human trafficking. It is currently implementing a three-year project to monitor and combat trafficking in persons (TIP) with support from the US and in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

    Many Sri Lankans have fled the country owing to the economic distress and shortage of food. Some arrived in Tamil Nadu in India last year when they could not afford to buy food due to inflation.

    (India Narrative)

    ALSO READ: Saudi to offer up to 200k jobs to Lankans in 2023

  • Saudi to offer up to 200k jobs to Lankans in 2023

    Saudi to offer up to 200k jobs to Lankans in 2023

    Workers’ remittance is one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka….reports Asian Lite News

    Sri Lankan Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara on Tuesday said Saudi Arabia is willing to take up to 200,000 Sri Lankan workers in 2023.

    The minister told the media that Saudi Arabia offered 54,000 jobs for Sri Lanka in 2022, adding that over 300,000 Sri Lankans went for foreign jobs in 2022 and most went to the Middle East.

    Workers’ remittance is one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka.

    Sri Lankan migrant workers remitted around 3.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, the country’s central bank data showed.

    Last week, Saudi Arabia announced the launch of an investment fund to boost culture, tourism, entertainment and sports sectors in the kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

    The Events Investment Fund (EIF) focuses on increasing direct foreign investment to contribute 28 billion Saudi riyals (7.46 billion U.S. dollars) to the gross domestic product by 2045.

    The EIF seeks to develop infrastructures including indoor arenas, art galleries, theaters and conference centers, horse-racing and auto-racing tracks and other facilities, aiming to position Saudi Arabia as the global hub in the culture, tourism, entertainment and sports sectors.

    The fund will conceptualize, finance and oversee the development of more than 35 venues by 2030.

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  • India promises to increase investment flows to Lanka

    India promises to increase investment flows to Lanka

    Jaishankar’s visit to the crisis-hit neighbour followed India’s assurance given to the IMF to support the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s debts..reports Asian Lite News

    Visiting External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has conveyed to his Sri Lankan counterpart about India’s commitment to increase investment flows to the financially-strapped southern neighbour to hasten its economic recovery.

    “Conveyed our commitment to increase investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten its economic recovery. Look forward to my discussions with the leadership tomorrow morning,” tweeted Indian EAM following his meeting with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry on Thursday evening.

    “A good meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and other ministerial colleagues this evening in Colombo. Discussed India-Sri Lanka cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, industry and health,” Jaishankar said.

    Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister also tweeted, “A pleasure to meet with S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India in Colombo. Discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship between our nations, people-to-people contacts, trade and investment ties and appreciated India’s steadfast assistance for Sri Lanka.”

    Jaishankar’s visit to the crisis-hit neighbour followed India’s assurance given to the IMF to support the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s debts.

    Undertaking to restructure debts specially from Sri Lanka’s major creditors — India, China and

    Japan — are a prerequisite to obtain IMF’s bridge loan of $2.9 billion — the much needed immediate relief for the debt-ridden country.

    Earlier this week, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe informed the Parliament that debt restructuring talks with India and China were successful.

    India’s EAM with a high profile delegation from the Ministry is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka on January 19 and 20.

    India lends help to boost connectivity in Maldives

    The Hanimaadhoo International Airport Redevelopment Project marks “a historic milestone” in the robust India-Maldives development partnership, EAM S Jaishankar has said.

    He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, being constructed under an Indian Line of Credit, on Wednesday. Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was also present during the event.

    Taking to Twitter, EAM Jaishankar wrote, “Joined President @ibusolih and his ministers and local leaders at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project.”

    Describing the significance of the project, EAM Jaishankar said that it will serve as a link between people of Northern Maldives and the rest of the world. He continued by saying that India is fortunate to be working with the Maldives on this project.

    “The rising number of Indian tourists in Maldives is a reflection of our deepening ties and are outcomes of focus on infrastructure and connectivity, especially under the Modi Government,” he added.

    EAM Jaishankar also made it clear that India is a committed partner in the Maldives’ journey toward change and development.

    Speaking at the event, EAM Jaishankar stressed that increased prosperity requires an improved connection. He added, “It is our endeavour to share India’s experiences, learnings and models as possible templates for others, particularly in the developing world and to promote a universal sense of oneness through enhancing connectivity.”

    He added that this project would have a “truly transformative” effect on the economy of northern Maldives by fostering entrepreneurship, growth, and job opportunities, encouraging the growth of the tourism industry, and strengthening related industries like fisheries and logistics, which are essential to the region’s sustainable development.

    “This project is also a great example of the vision of decentralization of the Government of Maldives. In India too, we place emphasis on inclusive and equitable development,” he added.

    EAM Jaishankar further noted that the Greater Malé Connectivity Project, the social housing initiatives in Malé, the drinking water and sanitation initiatives on 34 islands, and the Gan International Airport Redevelopment Project are all doing well.

    He stated that in addition to these significant infrastructure projects, India has also partnered with the Maldives to carry out smaller but highly effective projects and quick-grow community projects.

    EAM Jaishankar also mentioned that India has agreed to extend a further grant of MVR 100 million to the Maldives to carry out additional projects for the development of local island infrastructure and the socioeconomic growth of island communities.

    ALSO READ: Beijing strongly resists Dalai Lama’s Lanka visit

  • Beijing strongly resists Dalai Lama’s Lanka visit

    Beijing strongly resists Dalai Lama’s Lanka visit

    “Commenting on the rumour of several monks inviting Dalai Lama to visit the island, the Chief Prelate stressed that China is the closest friend of Sri Lanka….writes Susitha Fernando

    While sending positive news on restructuring of Sri Lanka’s debts, China has strongly opposed the news of the “sneaky” visit of the Dalai Lama to the predominantly Buddhist country.

    A top level delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Colombo met the head monk of one of the influential Buddhist chapters in the country and told him that China strongly opposes any foreign country receiving the Tibetan spiritual leader, who is exiled in India.

    China’s Charge d’Affaires Hu Wei, who visited Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thero, the chief prelate of the Malwathu chapter, told him that China strongly opposed the 14th Dalai Lama’s intention to visit Sri Lanka.

    “The government and people of China including in the Tibet Autonomous Region strongly oppose any foreign country to receive the Dalai Lama in any name, because the 14th Dalai Lama is absolutely not a ‘simple monk’ as he self-claims, but the head of the feudal serfdom and the theocracy in Tibet prior to 1951, a political exile disguised as a religious figure who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities and attempting to split Tibet from China,” a Chinese Embassy statement, quoting Hu, said.

    “Hu emphasised that China and Sri Lanka have been firmly supporting each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, including the Tibet related issue. Both sides especially the Buddhist communities must prevent a sneaky visit of the Dalai Lama to the island to promote ‘Tibetan independence’ and safeguard the China-Sri Lanka historical relations from being damaged,” it added.

    “Commenting on the rumour of several monks inviting Dalai Lama to visit the island, the Chief Prelate stressed that China is the closest friend of Sri Lanka. Our relations with China must not be hurt. It is better that government also understand the importance of contribution rendered by China for the upliftment of Sri Lankan economy,” the Chinese Embassy release stated.

    A group of senior Buddhist monks including the Chief Prelate of another Buddhist Chapter, Ramanna, Most Ven Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero who had met the Dalai Lama at India’s Bodh Gaya on December 27, has invited him to visit Sri Lanka.

    “I believe like His Holiness has been to Bodh Gaya. If he goes to Sri Lanka, many thousands of tourists will come to Sri Lanka which will boost the economy because we are in a crisis situation. And, if His Holiness goes to Sri Lanka, many tourists will come here similar to Bodh Gaya. We will be blessed and the economy will also be boosted,” Most Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero, one of the senior Sri Lankan Buddhist monks who met the Dalai Lama, was quoted as saying.

    Awaiting the $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to relieve its crisis-hit economy, the Sri Lanka President on Tuesday announced that the discussion with China and India on debt restricting, one of the main prerequisite to obtain IMF assistance was “successful”.

    ALSO READ: China slams US envoy’s ‘spoiler comment’ on Lanka debt