International Affairs

Canadian High Commissioner in Colombo David MeKinnon yesterday called on Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa at the latter’s official residence yesterday. Their discussion focused on the current situation in the country Parliamentarian Kheliya Rambukwella, former Minister Prof G. L. Peiris were present.

70-year-old emaciated elephant Tikiri eating at the Temple of the Tooth in the central city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Ahmed Shaheed yesterday commended the Sri Lankan Government on its actions after the Easter Sunday attacks, when he met with Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana as part of his official visit to Sri Lanka.

In response to comments about the name of SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name not being in the Federal Register, US Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz said on Monday that the Federal Register could often be months behind the recording of one’s renunciation of citizenship.

Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz last week allayed fears over Sri Lanka’s move to sign up for the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact entailing $ 480 million of grant assistance, saying it was highly beneficial for poverty reduction via sustainable economic growth.

Western Province Governor A.J.M. Muzammil was received by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz at a lunch banquet hosted by the monarch at the Royal Palace in Mina in the holy city of Mecca on the day of the Eid Festival. Governor Muzammil was on a special invitation from the Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Alissa to participate in the Haj pilgrimage.

The long-awaited $50 million global Ceylon tea promotion campaign will be kicked off next month in Moscow, Russia followed by 11 other key markets in a bid to boost export earnings.

Kochi: Tourism Minister John Amaratunga on Friday ruled out that terrorists involved in the Easter bombing in the island nation had any Indian links. He was interacting with reporters as part of the Sri Lanka tourism promotion programme in Kochi on Friday, the new Indian Express reported.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $160 million loan to modernize the operations and improve the efficiency of Sri Lanka Railways, the country’s railway operator, by upgrading its infrastructure and technical capacity. This is ADB’s first loan in Sri Lanka’s railway sector.

The United States is deeply concerned by the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Army Commander.

Canadian YouTubers Luke Martin and Sabrina Davidson of Chopstick Travel are currently in the island with a view to promote Sri Lanka tourism, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Western countries are showing interest in the controversial Hambantota Port which was earlier seen as a threat to the region.

Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi met Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa for talks today.

The Sri Lankan Government will soon begin a dialogue with India to develop Palaly and Batticaloa airports, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

The 73rd Independence Day of India was celebrated by the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka at the India House, Colombo with High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu as the Chief Guest. The Indian community participated at the event.

Sri Lanka is keen to ensure freedom of navigation and lines of communication in the Indian Ocean Peace Zone, Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha said.

The German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) has provided a sum of Euros 4 million (approx. Rs. 800 million) towards demining activities in affected areas of the Northern and Eastern Provinces in Sri Lanka.

Robert Juhkam presented his credentials on 15 August 2019 to Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana, officially taking office as the new Resident Representative for UNDP in Sri Lanka.