International Affairs

Sri Lanka noted its war efforts have not been recognised by Hollywood, yet the country is proud its security forces completed the task assigned to them.

A four-member delegation of the German Parliament led by Dr. Peter Ramsauer, Head of the Committee for Economic Cooperation and Development, is scheduled to pay an official visit to Sri Lanka from 19th to 24th of February.

Indian government continues its assistance in improving vocational training and skill development for the benefit of a large number of Sri Lankan youth to be trained as skilled workers with suitable skills catering to the job market.

A Japanese construction and engineering firm accused of tender bending in Japan has been awarded the contract to build a new US$570 million (RM2.3 billion) terminal for Sri Lanka’s Katunayake International airport, as Tokyo re-emerges as a key infrastructure backer amid a push of Chinese projects.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit Japan in May and participate at the global conference “The future of Asia” by becoming one of the first leaders from South Asia to bring fresh insight to the conference, the President’s Media Division said.

The Government says there has not been any impact to the economic relations between China and Sri Lanka despite China being affected by the coronovirus.

India will sign an agreement with Sri Lanka to develop the Jaffna''s Palaly airport in the Northern province, an official statement said on Thursday.

The United States (US) Congress is to be informed of Sri Lanka’s objections to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States on Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army and Acting Chief of Defence Staff and his immediate family.

Israel is willing to assist Sri Lanka to digitalise its state sector while strengthening military ties, sharing intelligence and offer more training opportunities for Sri Lanka Police and Tri Forces personnel.

The cabinet has approved a proposal to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (Mo) for the development of the Jaffna International Airport with the Government of India.

The Prime Minister of Thailand General Prayut Chan-o-cha recalling the strong bilateral ties between the two countries reassured the support of Thailand for Sri Lanka’s development efforts.

Visiting US Congressmen Ami Bera and George Holding met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo this morning (Feb. 15) and discussed ways of strengthening relations in a number of sectors.

Afghanistan Ambassador to Sri Lanka M. Asharf Haidari pledged that Afghanistan would provide its assistance to Sri Lanka in countering drug trafficking in the South Asian region.

Sri Lanka is still awaiting a response for its request for a 3-year debt moratorium from the Indian government to gain some breathing space for its massive debt repayment of US$4.8 billion this year

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the visiting Sri Lankan delegation that he would look favourably on the proposal by Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda to set up the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar Joint Marine Fisheries Resources Management Authority.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has raised a number of concerns in a report on Sri Lanka presented to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, ahead of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council to be held from 24 February – 20 March 2020.

Sri Lanka has warned the United States of the consequences following a ban on Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army and Acting Chief of Defence Staff, as well as his immediate family.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the existing double tax avoidance agreement with Sri Lanka, a move aimed at curbing tax evasion.