Sri Lanka import ban takes spice out of life
AFP, COLOMBO
An import ban in cash-strapped Sri Lanka is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of its curry lovers, depriving them of vital turmeric supplies and encouraging budding smugglers to take their chances with the spice.
With no foreign cash coming in as COVID-19 cripples the tourism industry, the government in March last year imposed a ban on many imports to stop money leaving the country, so that it can pay US$4.5 billion this year to service its international debt.
Vehicles, floor tiles and machinery parts are among the items prohibited, but it is a ban on turmeric that has the Indian Ocean island simmering with anger.
Sri Lanka Cancels Colombo East Container Terminal Deal With India Under Trade Unions Pressure, Offers Better Alternative
by M R Subramani - Feb 3, 2021 10:33 AM
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (Facebook)
Snapshot
On 28 January, Colombo Portâs 23 trade unions, backed by over 220 unions across the island nation, began a protest against the project being given to foreign companies.
However, a Chinese company, backed by the Xi Jinping government, operates an international container terminal at the Colombo harbour adjacent to the Eastern Container Terminal.
The Gotabaya Rajapaksa government in Sri Lanka has scrapped an agreement to develop a strategic East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo port with help from India and Japan.
ANI - Neighbouring countries congratulate India for successful launch of COVID-19 vaccination drive , , COVID-19, vaccination drive, neigbouring countries, sri lanka
ANI | Updated: Jan 18, 2021 20:21 IST
New Delhi [India], January 18 (ANI): Leaders from neigbouring countries have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful launch of the vaccination drive against COVID-19 on January 16.
In a tweet, the President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, My heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister on the successful roll-out of the COVID19 vaccine and his generosity towards friendly neighbouring countries.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also reacted on the same and said, We are starting to see the beginning of the end to this devastating pandemic. Congratulations PM and the Government of India on taking this very important step with this massive COVID19 vaccination drive, he added.
PM Modi launched the pan-India rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination drive on Saturday (File)
New Delhi:
Leaders from neigbouring countries have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful launch of the vaccination drive against COVID-19 on January 16.
In a tweet, the President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, My heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister on the successful roll-out of the COVID19 vaccine and his generosity towards friendly neighbouring countries.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also reacted on the same and said, We are starting to see the beginning of the end to this devastating pandemic. Congratulations PM and the Government of India on taking this very important step with this massive COVID19 vaccination drive, he added.