February 06, 2021 00:02 IST
Updated:
February 06, 2021 00:02 IST
Updated:
February 06, 2021 00:18 IST
India and Japan are important donors, and Sri Lanka must try and salvage the ECT deal
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India and Japan are important donors, and Sri Lanka must try and salvage the ECT deal
The Rajapaksa government’s decision to overturn Sri Lanka’s tripartite agreement to develop Colombo’s East Container Terminal is a setback to India and Japan. The project, worth an estimated $500-$700 million, was a key marker for infrastructure investment in the island nation where Chinese projects are most prominent. More than two-thirds of trans-shipment at this port is tied to India, making it an important trade and connectivity link. Japan has been a keen supporter of Sri Lanka’s growth story, with its loans of about ¥1.1 trillion and grants and technical cooperation of about ¥300 billion. As a joint venture for India and Japan to invest in, the ECT project was also expec
Foreign Secretary Prof. Admiral Jayanath Colombage recently emphasized the importance in bringing together like-minded persons interested in Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) issues.
With the US led powers and China seeking to consolidate power in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is under pressure from both parties to join them.
Foreign Secretary, Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage networking a meeting at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute taking forward Sri Lanka’s leadership role in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (WGMSS), the Foreign Ministry said.
The following is the text of FM statement issued yesterday: “As the third largest ocean woven together by trade routes, The Indian Ocean commands control of major sea-lanes carrying half of the world’s container ships, one third of the world’s bulk cargo traffic and two third of the world’s oil shipments, the Indian Ocean remains an important lifeline to international trade a
By Rathindra Kuruwita The frontline workers who are being vaccinated have not been told the period in which the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine would last, Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Pubudu Jayagoda yesterday told The Island. Jayagoda said that it was important for these frontline workers as well as other citizens […]
By Dinasena Ratugamage The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has rejected a request made by the Army for sufficient land within the Kilinochchi administrative district for its use. A proposal made at the Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha has been rejected by TNA MP S. Sridharan on Monday (1). The Pradeshiya Sabha has taken up the Army’s request […]
By Saman Indrajith
The Rajapaksas foreign policy had turned the country into a playground for foreign powers, Chief Opposition Whip SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday (2).
Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo MP Kiriella alleged that none of the previous leaders had bungled in such a manner. They had never antagonised other nations, Kiriella said.
Chandrika Kumaratunge, DB Wijetunga, Ranasinghe Premadasa, JR Jayewardene, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Wijayananda Dahanayake, SWRD Bandaranaike, John Kotelawala, Dudley Senanayake and DS Senanayake
knew how to handle foreign policy, MP Kiriella said. Ranil Wickremesinghe, too, had served as the Prime Minister four times. They never took sides in superpower games, the former minister said, alleging Mahinda Rajapaksa government had adopted a pro-China policy at the expense of the country. The Rajapaksas wanted Chinese loans, and therefore they played ball with China, Kiriella said.