Category: Local News

India is expected to offer a credit line to Sri Lanka to ensure funds for infrastructure and development projects and expanded support for military training during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the island nation this week, as New Delhi aims to match growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean Region.

China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), the ultimate investor in the Colombo Port City Project, says it has received an official communication from the government calling for the suspension of the project.

President Maithripala Sirisena, as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, will attend the Commonwealth Day celebrations in London on March 9, 2015. Sri Lanka is head of the Commonwealth following the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by Sri Lanka in November 2013.

President Maithripala Sirisena received a warm welcome as he arrived at London Heathrow Airport commencing his three-day official visit to the United Kingdom on 07 March 2015. First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena is accompanying the President. Two Sri Lankan children welcomed the President and the First Lady at the airport.

India will strongly take up with Sri Lanka the fishermen issue during delegation-level talks between the two countries, officials said on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan navy is only acting as per law when it fires at Indian fishermen entering Lankan waters and therefore they should keep away, said Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramesinghe in an interview to a Tamil news channel.

President Maithripala Sirisena and First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena will leave for the United Kingdom on a three-day official visit, Saturday, March 7, 2015.

Former Sri Lankan High Commissioner in the UK, Dr. Chris Nonis has been appointed Presidential Advisor on International Affairs. Nonis stepped down from his diplomatic posting following a controversy involving former Monitoring MP of the External Affairs Ministry Sajin Vaas Gunawardena.

Indian External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj, who arrived in Sri Lanka Friday on a two-day official visit, called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday evening at his Wijerama Residence.

The National Medicine Regulatory Authority Bill which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday has been passed with amendments in parliament.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa who was attached to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security division has been transferred to Navy Headquarters with effect from March 9, the Navy said.

Former Minister Johnston Fernando has submitted his assets declaration to the Bribery Commission, in connection with a complaint lodged against him before the anti-graft panel.

Almost five years after a derelict cargo ship with 492 Sri Lankan migrants arrived off the B.C. coast, prompting a change in Canada’s immigration laws, the government has failed to find a buyer for the vessel.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will offer island nations in the Indian Ocean a broad range of military and civilian assistance next week in a bid to wrest back some of the influence China has gained by spending billions of dollars in the region.

Speaking at the Cabinet media briefing today, Cabinet Media Spokesperson Minister Rajitha Senaratne elaborated on a new electoral system. The Minister added that a decision was arrived at following discussions between the President, Attorney General, Elections Commissioner and relevant factions, to introduce a new electoral system.

The Cabinet approval was granted last night to suspend the Chinese funded Colombo Port City Project, a minister said.