Category: South Asia
SL aims to establish FTAs with most Southeast Asian countries, Min Balasuriya
Significant strides in establishing Free Trade Agreements with Bangladesh and the Maldives, together with existing FTAs will pave the way to initiate FTAs with most Southeast Asian countries by next year, enhancing Sri Lanka’s position as an attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment, State Minister of Regional Cooperation, Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya stated recently. Speaking at […]
High Commissioner Moragoda stresses eight thrust areas to elevate SL-India economic relations
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda stated that it is critically important to develop eight thrust areas in moving Sri Lanka- India relations from a transactional phase to a strategic phase, in keeping with the fourth pillar of the four pillar-cooperation package announced during the recent visit of the Sri Lankan Finance […]
Women in Management, IFC and Government of Australia recognise inspiring women from Sri Lanka and Maldives
The ‘Top50’ Professional and Career Women Awards 2021 – hosted by Women in Management (WIM), in collaboration with Women in Work, a partnership between IFC and the government of Australia – recently honoured inspiring professional and career women in Sri Lanka and Maldives making a mark in their respective fields. The 11th edition of the […]
Minister of External Affairs of India calls on Foreign Minister Prof. GL Peiris
Foreign Minister Prof. G. L Peiris and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr.S. Jaishankar discussed bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India on the sidelines of the 5th Indian Ocean Conference in Abu Dhabi. Cooperation in the economic sector, cultural as well as people to people initiatives, and joint initiatives in regional organisations formed […]
WHO asks countries to be vigilant as cases surge globally & new Variant of Concern is detected
In view of surge in COVID-19 cases elsewhere globally and detection of new variant of concern Omicron, the World Health Organization today appealed to countries in South-East Asia Region to scale up surveillance, strengthen public health and social measures, and enhance vaccination coverage. “Though COVID-19 cases have been declining in most countries of our Region, […]
Foreign Minister calls on Bangladesh PM; progress reviewed towards Preferential Trade Agreement
Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G. L. Peiris called on Prime Minister Shaika Hasina at her office in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Minister Prof. Peiris briefed the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Sri Lanka’s success in containing the COVID 19 pandemic and on a wide range of current issues. Particular attention was paid to progress towards […]
SL Ambassador to China visits Sinopharm head office; repeats request for vaccine refilling plant
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China Dr. Palitha Kohona, together with Embassy officials, were invited to visit Sinopharm’s Beijing Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd. (CNBG) on 23 September 2021. The Vice President of the Sinopharm HQ Shi Shengyi, the President of the Biological Products Division Zhu Jingjin, and the Vice President of the International […]
Milinda Moragoda assumes duties; announces Integrated Country Strategy for Diplomatic Missions in India
The new High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda, appointed with the cabinet rank assumed duties at a simple ceremony held at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi on 30 August, 2021. The staff of the High Commission received High Commissioner-designate Moragoda and spouse Jennifer Moragoda, presenting the traditional sheaf […]
Japan Gifts 1.45 million Astra Zeneca Vaccines; expected to arrive in Sri Lanka soon
The Government of Japan has decided to provide 1.45 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Japan to Sri Lanka through the COVAX Facility of the World Health Organization (WHO) to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka. The vaccines are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka from Japan during the coming weeks. […]
South Asia Must Reform State-Owned Banks & Enterprises to Avert Next Financial Crisis: WB
South Asia’s heavy reliance on state-owned commercial banks, state-owned enterprises, public-private partnerships and other national and sub-national public entities conceals its vulnerability to accumulating unsustainable levels of debt, according to a new World Bank report, Hidden Debt: Solutions to Avert the Next Financial Crisis in South Asia, released today. South Asia is more exposed to the risk […]
Palitha Kohona formally presents Credentials to Chinese President
Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona presented Letters of Credence to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on 14 April 2021 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.He also formally handed over the letter of recall of the former Ambassador. By the presentation of the credentials, Dr. Kohona has been formally recognised […]
Sri Lanka is not renegotiating Hambantota port lease deal with China: report
Sri Lanka’s ambassador to China Palitha Kohona has dismissed suggestions that the country is planning to extend a 99-year lease it granted to Beijing to run Hambantota port. Palitha Kohona said in an interview with the South China Morning Post that his country would “never be an unsinkable aircraft carrier posing a threat to anyone […]