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Tag: Lanka

  • India hands over 125 SUVs to Lanka

    India hands over 125 SUVs to Lanka

    Milinda Moragoda emphasized that India could play a significant role in Sri Lanka’s economic revival through multifaceted economic integration between the two countries by enhancing investments…reports Asian Lite News

    Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay has handed over 125 Mahindra SUVs to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles for police. Taking to its official Twitter handle, the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka stated that more SUVs will soon be given to Colombo under an existing line of credit.

    The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka tweeted, “India’s Support to Sri Lanka continues. High Commissioner ceremonially handed over 125 Mahindra SUVs to Hon. Min of Public Security, Tiran Alles for Sri Lanka. Police 2day. More out of total 500 state of the art SUVs under an existing Line of credit coming soon! Contract was signed earlier this year.” Notably, India has been providing economic and humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka as the island nation has been facing economic crisis. On December 8, India said that it will continue to be a “steadfast friend” of Sri Lanka. Replying to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tweet on holding “successful talks” with India on restructuring debt, the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said, “Thank you H.E President @RW_UNP. #India will continue to be a steadfast friend of #SriLanka and stand by our bretheren in Sri Lanka. We are committed to strengthening the bilateral economic partnership for mutual benefit.”

    Earlier on December 6, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda held a meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Moragoda thanked Sitharaman for the brief emergency assistance India has provided to the island nation throughout its difficult period.

    The Sri Lankan envoy informed the finance minister on Sri Lanka’s ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the present status of the country’s debt restructuring process, according to the official statement of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi.

    In addition, Milinda Moragoda briefed Nirmala Sitharaman regarding the severe effects that Sri Lanka’s current economic contraction is having on the country’s poor and most vulnerable populations.

    Milinda Moragoda emphasized that India could play a significant role in Sri Lanka’s economic revival through multifaceted economic integration between the two countries by enhancing investments, tourism, and trade. Both sides also reviewed the status of bilateral economic cooperation. (ANI)

    Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi tweeted, “High Commissioner @MilindaMoragoda met with the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister of India @nsitharaman today (06) to review the status of bilateral economic cooperation.” (ANI)

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  • Lanka lifts crisis-led ban on 10 products

    Lanka lifts crisis-led ban on 10 products

    In the wake of the dollar crunch and the worst-ever financial crisis to hit Sri Lanka since it gained independence in 1948, the government on August 23 banned the import of 1,465 items…reports SUSITHA FERNANDO

    Sri Lanka has lifted a ban on 10 products related to security, tourism and sports which were restricted due to the economic crisis.

    State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced that the restrictions imposed on security equipment required for CCTV systems, energy drinks that is required for tourism, imported wood for the production of furniture and construction and sport items would be relaxed effective from Tuesday.

    In the wake of the dollar crunch and the worst-ever financial crisis to hit Sri Lanka since it gained independence in 1948, the government on August 23 banned the import of 1,465 items.

    “Due to the restriction, within three months, the government could save $1211 million,” the Minister said, adding that the decision had to be taken as a solution to the foreign currency crisis the country had been facing.

    In 2020, Sri Lanka has spent $16,055 million for imports while it increased to $20,637 million in 2021.

    This is the third time that Sri Lanka has relaxed the ban imposed on imports.

    On September 9, restrictions on 708 items were lifted, while on November, 23 the ban on 77 items was eased.

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  • Lanka, Russia discuss nuke ties

    Lanka, Russia discuss nuke ties

    The minister said he met with the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan on Thursday and discussed the requirements of Sri Lanka’s energy sector…reports Asian Lite News

    Sri Lankan Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on Thursday that the South Asian country is discussing nuclear energy cooperation with Russia.

    The minister said he met with the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan on Thursday and discussed the requirements of Sri Lanka’s energy sector.

    “We discussed cooperation on fuel requirements, refinery operations, challenges in coal supply and the memorandum of understanding signed for nuclear energy cooperation with Rosatom,” he said.

    Rosatom is a Russian state-owned corporation specializing in nuclear energy, nuclear non-energy goods and high-tech products, according to the minister.

    He said Russia can help address many of Sri Lanka’s energy problems.

    “Sri Lanka struggled with securing energy supplies earlier this year. We are actively looking for energy cooperation with other nations and Russia can play a big role,” the minister said.

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  • Navy chief discusses defence cooperation with Lankan PM, Prez

    Navy chief discusses defence cooperation with Lankan PM, Prez

    Admiral Hari Kumar Indian Navy arrived in Colombo on December 12, on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka…reports Asian Lite News

    Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral R Hari Kumar, called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo on Wednesday.

    The visiting Indian navy chief held discussions on furthering defence cooperation with the Sri Lanka political leadership. “Call on (Sri Lanka) President Ranil Wickremesinghe by CNS Indian Navy. Discussions focused on furthering defence cooperation between and strengthening bilateral ties. lka’s role in steering Colombo Security Conclave towards ensuring peace and security in the region was acknowledged,” the Indian mission in Sri Lanka tweeted.

    “Admiral R Hari Kumar CNS Indian Navy called on PM DCR Gunawardena. Discussed the importance of strong defence ties between and means to further strengthen existing linkages between Armed Forces of the two countries,” the Indian mission said in another tweet.

    Admiral Hari Kumar Indian Navy arrived in Colombo on December 12, on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka, at the invitation of Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy.

    During the Navy chief’s visit, the Indigenous Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri, a multi-role missile frigate of the Indian Navy also made a port call at Colombo to complement his visit.

    The ship engaged in training engagements with Sri Lanka Navy and participated in Maritime Partnership Exercises with Sri Lanka Navy. It may be recalled that the Indian Navy shared close interactions with Sri Lanka Navy during the annual exercise SLINEX 21 in March 2022.

    Further, the Indian Navy provided a maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka Air Force in August 2022 to augment its maritime capabilities. Indian Navy is also providing customised and specialised training to Sri Lanka Navy including in marine technology.

    In an earlier release, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said the visit of CNS symbolises strong relations and close cooperation between the two countries, with Sri Lanka being accorded the status of ‘Priority One’ partner by India.

    “It would strengthen the existing bilateral maritime relations between the two countries and areas of common security concern and enhancing capacity and capability building initiatives towards ensuring peace in the region would be discussed during the visit,” the high commission said.

    The visit also indicates the growing camaraderie and friendship between the two nations in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. The Admiral will be the Chief Guest at the passing out parade of Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee on December 15. (ANI)

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  • 5 SL fishermen missing after cyclone Mandous

    5 SL fishermen missing after cyclone Mandous

    Over 21,000 Sri Lankans were affected, with over 5,600 houses damaged by the adverse weather conditions caused by cyclone Mandous…reports Asian Lite news

    Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Fisheries on Tuesday announced that five fishermen disappeared while at sea during cyclone Mandous.

    The five from three multi-day fishing vessels are residents of Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Galle districts, reports Xinhua news agency.

    Susantha Kahawatta, director general of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, told journalists that the fishing vessels were already at sea when they issued a warning.

    He said that the seas off Sri Lanka are calm now and that fishing activities have returned to normal.

    Over 21,000 Sri Lankans were affected, with over 5,600 houses damaged by the adverse weather conditions caused by cyclone Mandous.

    TN fishermen seek compensation

    The fishermen organisations of Tamil Nadu have requested the state government to provide immediate assistance for their fishing nets and vessels damaged during the recent Cyclone Mandous.

    According to fishermen groups and associations, fishing nets and vessels worth Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs were damaged in the recent cyclone and rains.

    M.D. Dhayalan, President of the Indian Fishermen association, Kasimedu told mediapersons, “The fishermen did not venture into seas for the past seven days. The fishermen need immediate assistance of Rs 15,000 per trawler at the earliest. We came to know that the government is conducting a survey on the damaged vessels and nets but we are asking for immediate assistance without which trawlers cannot venture out into the seas.”

    Around 180 to 200 tonnes of fish are caught at the Kasimedu fishing harbour alone and after the announcement of cyclone Mandous, the fishermen could not venture into the sea for the past week.

    The fishermen also complain that many fishing boats and trawlers were damaged and the amount of money required for the maintenance of these fishing boats and nets will be much higher.

    Swaminathan, a fisherman from Kasimedu fishing harbour, told IANS,”The fishing community is in big difficulty and we need assistance immediately. After the government announced that cyclone Mandous was forming, we suspended our activities and this has led to us not having any money left even for our expenses.”

    ALSO READ: Indian Navy chief begins 4-day Lanka visit

  • INS Sahyadri reaches Colombo port

    INS Sahyadri reaches Colombo port

    The INS Sahyadri is a 143-meter-long frigate with a 390-person crew under the leadership of Captain MM Thomas…reports Asian Lite news

    Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri is on an official visit to Sri Lanka to promote goodwill between the two sides.

    The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo according to maritime customs on Tuesday.

    The INS Sahyadri is a 143-meter-long frigate with a 390-person crew under the leadership of Captain MM Thomas.

    Taking to Twitter, the official Twitter account of the Sri Lankan Navy wrote,

    “INS ‘Sahyadri’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on an official visit 13 Dec. During her stay, the crew will take part in several programmes organized by the @srilanka_navy promoting cooperation and goodwill. @indiannavy @IndiainSL”

    During the visit, the commanding officer of the INS Sahyadri will visit the Western Naval Command Headquarters. The crew of the ship will also participate in many programs run by the Sri Lanka Navy during its visit in an effort to foster collaboration and goodwill between the two fleets.

    Additionally, when INS Sahyadri departs on December 16, it will participate in a naval drill in western waters with the Sri Lanka Navy.

    As per the official press release from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense, these kinds of naval drills with regional navies will improve collaboration between both navies and help them tackle future maritime difficulties that they will face in common.
    Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar is also on a six-day visit to Sri Lanka.to improve the already-existing maritime ties between the two countries and advance capacity-building measures aimed at guaranteeing regional peace.

    ALSO READ: Indian Navy chief begins 4-day Lanka visit

  • Chennai-Jaffna flights resume nearly after 3 years

    Chennai-Jaffna flights resume nearly after 3 years

    According to officials, four flights are to be operated every week between the two destinations and number of journeys is to be increased in future…writes Susitha Fernando

    Ending nearly three-year break due to Covid-19 pandemic, flights between Chennai and Palali in Northern Sri Lanka resumed operations on Monday.

    Restarting air travel, a flight from Chennai International Airport reached Jaffna International Airport in Palali at 10.50 a.m. on Monday and it left for Chennai at 11.30 a.m.

    According to Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority, four flights are to be operated every week between the two destinations and number of journeys is to be increased in future.

    “Following discussion for nearly six months facilities have been arranged for India’s Alliance Air to fly to Jaffna from Chennai and back,” Maj Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri, Chairman Civil Aviation Authority told media.

    “We are planning to increase the number of flights in the future,” the chairman said.



    ATR 72 aircrafts are to be used for the direct flight operations on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

    “With the vision to connect to our neighbouring countries, it is our endeavour to offer better air connectivity to all our neighbours with their closest city hubs. Pre-Covid, Alliance Air operated this commercial international flight. With the support from Government of India, Alliance Air will again resume this flight operation,” the Alliance Air said in a statement

    “This flight is special in many ways. Apart from being Alliance Air’s maiden international foray, it has connected Chennai to Jaffna after a gap of 41 years. Flyers coming into Chennai from Delhi, Coimbatore, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Dubai, Trivandrum and Muscat have the option of connecting onwards to Jaffna over Chennai making air travel more convenient,” the airline noted.

    The airline was earlier a subsidiary of Air India, until the national carrier’s divestment and hand over to the Tata Group in January this year.

    The majority Tamils living in Jaffna and the Northern peninsula of Sri Lanka has historical, cultural and religious connections with Chennai and the state of Tamil Nadu and both Sri Lankans and Indians travel between the two destinations.

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  • US slaps sanctions against Lankan Army officer for right abuses

    US slaps sanctions against Lankan Army officer for right abuses

    Aside from the Sri Lanka army officer, sanctions were imposed on officials from more than a dozen countries including Russia, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Iran….reports Asian Lite News

    The United States has imposed sanctions on a Sri Lankan military officer for violation of human rights, describing it as a bid to promote accountability for corruption and human rights abuses around the world.

    In a statement on December 9, the US state department, named Prabath Bulathwatte, the former head of a clandestine Sri Lankan platoon known as the Tripoli Platoon, for violation of human rights.
    “Pursuant to Section 7031(c), the Department of State is designating Bulathwatte for his involvement in a gross violation of human rights, namely torture and/or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment of Sri Lankan journalist, Keith Noyahr, in May 2008,” US State Department said in a press statement.

    These sanctions came on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day and on the eve of International Human Rights Day, the United States is taking the following actions to promote accountability for corruption and human rights abuse around the world.

    Aside from the Sri Lanka army officer, sanctions were imposed on officials from more than a dozen countries including Russia, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Iran.

    On Friday, the US Department of Treasury said that sanctions were announced against two Chinese officials for serious human rights abuse in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

    The Chinese officials, named Wu Yingjie (Wu) and Zhang Hongbo (Zhang) have been named as those involved in rights violations by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) which is a financial intelligence and enforcement agency of the U S Treasury Department.

    Wu Yingjie was the TAR Party Secretary between 2016 and 2021 and directed government officials to engage in stability policies, according to US Treasury Department.

    The US agency administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions in support of US national security and foreign policy objectives. Notably, the Treasury has sanctioned over 40 individuals and entities across nine countries connected to corruption and human rights abuse. (ANI)

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  • Lanka closes schools as heavy smog spreads from India

    Lanka closes schools as heavy smog spreads from India


    The decision to close schools had been reached following advice by the Department of Meteorology and the Disaster Management Centre…writes Susitha Fernando

    The Sri Lanka Education Ministry on Thursday decided to close all schools due to ongoing weather conditions as many parts of the country are experiencing heavy smog said to have spread from India.

    The ministry has declared Friday a holiday for all government and government-approved private schools, taking the prevailing adverse weather conditions into account.

    The decision to close schools had been reached following advice by the Department of Meteorology and the Disaster Management Centre.

    From Thursday morning, capital Colombo and many cities of Sri Lanka experienced foggy conditions as a result of dropping air quality. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) warned that due to the increase in dust particles in the atmosphere, it has created an extremely unhealthy situation.

    The heavy influx of dust particles contaminating Sri Lanka’s air space through strong winds from India is a major cause for this condition, NBRO’s Director, Environment, Sarath Padmasiri told media.

    According to the NBRO, the air quality of cities around the country including Colombo, Jaffna, Kandy, Vavunia, Trincomalee, Ratnapura and Putlam had dropped.

    Colombo was the most affected with the US Air Quality Index (AQI) marked at 246. Many other cities including Kurunegala, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Kandy, Trincomalee registered over 200 in the AQI. However, Padmasiri said that the situation could return to normal within a day or two.

    Meanwhile, Colombo Municipal Council’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni urged schools to avoid children coming to public parks and playground and advised to limit them to class rooms.

    Environment Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that the situation is beyond the control of Sri Lanka as the contaminated air was coming away from another country. “This is a situation that should be handled internationally,” he said. He also cautioned that children, pregnant, elders and those who are suffering from respiratory related ailments and cardiovascular disease to stay at home and avoid public places.

    “This situation could even to lead to deaths,” he warned.

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  • Budget 2023: Sri Lanka sees major tax hikes and reforms

    Budget 2023: Sri Lanka sees major tax hikes and reforms

    The budget, presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was passed with a majority of 43 votes..writes Susitha Fernando

    Sri Lanka on Thursday passed the budget for 2023 with tax hikes and major reforms to please the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the current financial crisis.

    The budget, presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was passed with a majority of 43 votes. In the 225-member parliament, 123 lawmakers voted for it while 80 opposed it.

    “We have to take unpopular decision for the future benefit of the country,” Wickremesinghe, who is also the Finance Minister, said taking part at the final day of the budget debate.

    He said that the country has to face adverse repercussions today due to the short-sighted popular decisions taken in the past and unpopular decisions have had to be taken for the future prospects of the country.

    The President told that a Parliamentary Select Committee will be established on a resolution by the lawmakers to look into those who led the economy to bankruptcy with their incorrect fiscal policies.

    Backed by ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s party, Wickremesinghe’s budget plans to increase tax revenue by 69 per cent to help the ailing economy hit by increasing inflation and dollar crisis. The Wickremesinghe government is planning to restructure a number of both profit and loss making state-run enterprises including the national carrier, power, and telecommunication sector.

    The budget aims at increasing tax revenue from this year’s Sri Lankan Rs 1,852 billion to Rs 3,130 billion next year while the budget deficit to be brought down to 7.9 per cent in 2023 from this year’s 9.8 per cent.

    Coordinated assistance program

    Visiting representatives from the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have ruled that a coordinated assistance program supported by multilateral financial institutions is vital for Sri Lanka’s recovery from the current economic crisis.

    On Tuesday, the group of representatives, which included WB Vice President Martin Raiser, ADB Vice President Shixin Chen, IMF’s Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer and AIIB’s Urjit Patel, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe, other ministers and top financial officials in Colombo.

    Wickremesinghe, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presented Sri Lanka’s development programme associated with the economic recovery and growth along with the vision for long-term development.

    The meeting also saw the participation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Nandalal Weerasinghe, former GovernorIndrajith Coomaraswamy and many other senior officials from the government institutions and other institutions.

    Going through the worst-ever financial crisis since the country’s independence in 1948 and battling with the skyrocketing inflation and dollar crunch, Sri Lanka decided to default its $51 billion foreign debt in May.

    In September the island nation reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF to obtain a conditional $2.9 billion package. But the country has to obtain assurance from its diverse creditors including India, Japan and China.

    India, which has provided over $3.8 billion financial assistance since January, the biggest ever by a single country, has urged the IMF to assist its southern neighbour, while Japan in September announced its support for the island nation to secure the IMF bailout.

    China, the top lender since the end of civil war in 2009, is yet to announce its stance.

    Last week, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, an Opposition lawmaker representing the Tamil National Alliance, charged that China was stalling Sri Lanka’s IMF deal.

    “If China is truly Sri Lanka’s friend, ask the Chinese to help with the debt restructuring and the IMF program,” he challenged.

    Questioned by the media on Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing would assist the countries and financial institutions to resolve Colombo’s crisis.

    “China attaches high importance to Sri Lanka’s difficulties and challenges. We support the financial institutions in working out ways with Sri Lanka to properly solve the issue. We also hope relevant countries and international financial institutions will work with China and continue to play a constructive role in helping Sri Lanka overcome the current difficulties, ease its debt burden and realize sustainable development,” the spokesperson added.

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