Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

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Dilbu
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

Ranil Wickremesinghe to pick Dinesh Gunawardena as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister
Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was sworn in President of Sri Lanka on Thursday, is expected to appoint long-time Rajapaksa loyalist and senior politician Dinesh Gunawardena as Prime Minister, a source close to the President’s office told The Hindu. Further, Mr. Wickremesinghe will continue with the last-appointed Cabinet until Opposition parties are “ready to cooperate” in an all-party government, the source said, requesting anonymity.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Hari Nair »

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 116904.cms

"Sri Lanka has asked China to help with trade, investment and tourism to help it grow sustainably, Colombo's envoy to Beijing said on Monday as it negotiates for an emergency $4 billion package to help it emerge from an economic meltdown."

So what's going on there? It appears that the old dispensation is back again and back to their old China leanings?
All that 'people's protest' seems to have been snuffed out and the tables neatly turned back, in some deft behind-the-scene manoeuvres.
Requesting any Forum members with greater insight into the situation there, to please put forth their opinions.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by kit »

Hari Nair wrote:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 116904.cms

"Sri Lanka has asked China to help with trade, investment and tourism to help it grow sustainably, Colombo's envoy to Beijing said on Monday as it negotiates for an emergency $4 billion package to help it emerge from an economic meltdown."

So what's going on there? It appears that the old dispensation is back again and back to their old China leanings?
All that 'people's protest' seems to have been snuffed out and the tables neatly turned back, in some deft behind-the-scene manoeuvres.
Requesting any Forum members with greater insight into the situation there, to please put forth their opinions.
I think the Chinese were waiting till the muddied waters are cleared before catching the fish and in this case Wickremesinghe. Mostly seen as the "mediator" tool for the Rajapakshas it would be useful to see his leanings. The people's risings quelled down not because of any underhand movement but most likely less "international involvement" (read Nuland and co) or if interestingly their objectives were met.

China is likely to up their game and hopefully India is not going to stand by. India did "right thing" not utilizing the troubled situation but we will soon see if that was the right approach. The SL economy is in shambles and a fire sale of govt entities is a possibility. Lets hope China does not buy it wholesale.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

India says it will protect its interests as Chinese boat heads to Sri Lanka
NEW DELHI/COLOMBO: India, which is trying to expand its influence in crisis-hit Sri Lanka after China made deep inroads there, said on Thursday it was aware of reports about the planned visit of a Chinese vessel to a Sri Lankan port built with money from Beijing.

Shipping data from Refinitiv Eikon showed research and survey vessel Yuan Wang 5 was en route to the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota and was expected to arrive on Aug. 11. "The government carefully monitors any developments having a bearing on India's security and economic interests, and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them," India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a weekly mediabriefing. "I think that should be a clear message."He did not say what measures India was taking and who the message was addressed to.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by g.sarkar »

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... st-leaders
Sri Lanka extends state of emergency as police round up protest leaders
Parliament ratifies powers that allow the military to detain people, limit public gatherings and search private property
Agence France-Presse, Wed 27 Jul 2022

Two activists who helped lead mass demonstrations that toppled Sri Lanka’s president have been arrested, police said, as parliament extended tough emergency laws imposed to restore order.
Then acting-president Ranil Wickremesinghe had declared a state of emergency on 17 July. It allows for the military to be given powers to detain people, limit public gatherings and search private property. The emergency ordinance would have lapsed on Wednesday if it had not been ratified by parliament. The extension means it will continue for a month before it must be approved again, one lawmaker said.
Police said in separate statements on Wednesday that they had arrested activists Kusal Sandaruwan and Weranga Pushpika on unlawful assembly charges. Police have also released photographs of 14 suspects wanted in connection with an arson attack on Wickremesinghe’s home on the same day the president’s office and residence were overrun. The arrests of the two activists come a day after student leader Dhaniz Ali was detained when he boarded a Dubai-bound flight at the country’s main airport.
Police said there was a warrant for his arrest in connection with a magistrates court case, without giving further details.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled under the cover of darkness in a military jet earlier this month after protesters took over his house and presidential offices, demanding he resign.
He later flew to Singapore and tendered his resignation while his successor, Wickremesinghe, declared a state of emergency and vowed a tough line against “trouble-makers”. Many had presumed that Rajapaksa would remain out of the country in self-imposed exile in order to avoid possible prosecution for accusations of corruption and war crimes allegations that date back over a decade. However, he is expected to return home, according to one cabinet minister.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

No new financing to Sri Lanka until macroeconomic policy framework is ready - World Bank
The World Bank Group says it is deeply concerned about the dire economic situation and its impact on the people of Sri Lanka.

In a statement, the global financial institution said it is repurposing resources under existing loans in our portfolio to help alleviate severe shortages of essential items such as medicines, cooking gas, fertilizer, meals for school children and cash transfers for poor and vulnerable households.

“To date, about US$160 million of these funds has been disbursed to meet urgent needs. In addition, other ongoing projects continue to support basic services, the delivery of medicine and medical supplies, school meals and tuition waivers.”

The World Bank Group said it is working closely with implementing agencies to establish robust controls and fiduciary oversight to ensure these resources reach the poorest and most vulnerable.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by g.sarkar »

https://theprint.in/world/chinese-resea ... n/1062742/
Chinese research vessel to dock at Hambantota port in August: Sri Lankan Army spokesman
PTI, 31 July, 2022

Colombo, Jul 31 (PTI) Sri Lanka has allowed a Chinese research vessel to dock at the Hambantota port next month, the island nation’s Army spokesman said on Sunday, days after India said it carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests.
The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is considered strategically important for its location. The port, located in the hometown of the Rajapaksa family, has been developed largely with Chinese loans.
Asked for his comment on reports about the possible docking of the Chinese spacecraft tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ at the Hambantota port, the Sri Lankan Army spokesman Colonel Nalin Herath said Sri Lanka routinely gives clearance to enter commercial and military ships from many countries to go past and also enter Sri Lankan waters.
“We have given permission and clearance to the Chinese vessel in that context,” Herath told PTI.
Yuan Wang 5 is expected to dock in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port from August 11-17 for ‘replenishment’ and will conduct satellite control and research tracking in the north western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.
.......
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https://apnews.com/article/asia-economy ... eb96e6d551
Sri Lanka leader says IMF agreement pushed back after unrest
KRISHAN FRANCIS, 30/7/2022

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s president said Saturday that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to help pull the bankrupt nation out of its economic crisis has been pushed back to September because of unrest over the past weeks.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his first speech since he was elected by Parliament on July 20, said even though he as the prime minister had aimed to reach an agreement by early August, it has now been pushed back by a month.
Wickremesinghe was elected to complete the five-year term of his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to Singapore after protesters angry over economic hardships stormed his official residence and occupied several key government buildings.
Wickremesinghe said talked with the IMF on a rescue package had not moved since those incidents.
Sri Lanka announced in April that it is suspending repaying its foreign loans because of a serious shortage of foreign currency. The island nation owes $51 billion in foreign debt, of which $28 billion must be paid by 2027.
The currency crisis led to a shortage of many critical imported items like fuel, medicine and cooking gas.
.......
Gautam
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by nandakumar »

g.sarkar wrote:https://theprint.in/world/chinese-resea ... n/1062742/
Chinese research vessel to dock at Hambantota port in August: Sri Lankan Army spokesman
PTI, 31 July, 2022

Colombo, Jul 31 (PTI) Sri Lanka has allowed a Chinese research vessel to dock at the Hambantota port next month, the island nation’s Army spokesman said on Sunday, days after India said it carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests.
The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is considered strategically important for its location. The port, located in the hometown of the Rajapaksa family, has been developed largely with Chinese loans.
Asked for his comment on reports about the possible docking of the Chinese spacecraft tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ at the Hambantota port, the Sri Lankan Army spokesman Colonel Nalin Herath said Sri Lanka routinely gives clearance to enter commercial and military ships from many countries to go past and also enter Sri Lankan waters.
“We have given permission and clearance to the Chinese vessel in that context,” Herath told PTI.
Yuan Wang 5 is expected to dock in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port from August 11-17 for ‘replenishment’ and will conduct satellite control and research tracking in the north western part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.
.......
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
https://apnews.com/article/asia-economy ... eb96e6d551
Sri Lanka leader says IMF agreement pushed back after unrest
KRISHAN FRANCIS, 30/7/2022

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s president said Saturday that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to help pull the bankrupt nation out of its economic crisis has been pushed back to September because of unrest over the past weeks.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his first speech since he was elected by Parliament on July 20, said even though he as the prime minister had aimed to reach an agreement by early August, it has now been pushed back by a month.
Wickremesinghe was elected to complete the five-year term of his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled to Singapore after protesters angry over economic hardships stormed his official residence and occupied several key government buildings.
Wickremesinghe said talked with the IMF on a rescue package had not moved since those incidents.
Sri Lanka announced in April that it is suspending repaying its foreign loans because of a serious shortage of foreign currency. The island nation owes $51 billion in foreign debt, of which $28 billion must be paid by 2027.
The currency crisis led to a shortage of many critical imported items like fuel, medicine and cooking gas.
.......
Gautam
One thing is certain. It is certainly not stopping for filling up bunker fuel!
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by nits »

:evil: :evil: and we just gave 3.5B to this country and it allows a chinese research vessel to dock at his port...
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

nits wrote::evil: :evil: and we just gave 3.5B to this country and it allows a chinese research vessel to dock at his port...
Isn't it technically China's port now?
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by nandakumar »

Dilbu wrote:
nits wrote::evil: :evil: and we just gave 3.5B to this country and it allows a chinese research vessel to dock at his port...
Isn't it technically China's port now?
When Hambantota was leased out to China for 99 years it was officially announced that the port was off-limits for military vessels. Of course the actual document of lease was never made public. Further the Chinese vesselin question is officially claimed to be a satellite tracking vessel. So an added figleaf of defence can be claimed that it belongs to the Chinese equivalent of ISRO and hence not PLAN ship.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by kit »

I dont think any of these piece meal efforts are going to help long term., all small nations will feel the pinch the same way., if they are aligned to a bigger nation they would survive.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by g.sarkar »

https://www.rediff.com/news/report/sri- ... 220802.htm
Sri Lanka wants amicable settlement of Chinese ship issue, says minister
Senjo M R, August 02, 2022

Sri Lanka is looking forward to settle the issue of a Chinese research vessel's visit to a strategic port in the country with an "approach of friendship", Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said on Tuesday, days after India said it carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests.
he Chinese vessel, Yuan Wang 5, is expected to dock in Sri Lanka's Hambantota port from August 11-17 for ‘replenishment' and will conduct satellite control and research tracking in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean region through August and September.
The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is considered strategically important for its location.
The port, located in the hometown of the Rajapaksa family, has been developed largely with Chinese loans.
“Both countries are our close friends, we will try to settle the issue with an approach of friendship,” the newly-appointed Gunawardena told reporters at a public gathering.
Bandula Gunawardena, the cabinet spokesman and minister of information, said that the cabinet at a meeting on Monday discussed the Chinese ship's visit.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told the cabinet that the Chinese vessel had only asked for a refuelling visit.
Gunawardena said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had also assured the cabinet that the ship's issue could be settled amicably.
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Gautam
Clear case of eating your cake and having it too.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by kit »

g.sarkar wrote:https://www.rediff.com/news/report/sri- ... 220802.htm
Sri Lanka wants amicable settlement of Chinese ship issue, says minister
Senjo M R, August 02, 2022

Sri Lanka is looking forward to settle the issue of a Chinese research vessel's visit to a strategic port in the country with an "approach of friendship", Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said on Tuesday, days after India said it carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests.
......
Gautam
Clear case of eating your cake and having it too.
Dinesh Gunawardena is closely allied to the Rajapakshas , they are again ruling by proxy
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by g.sarkar »

nandakumar wrote:
Dilbu wrote: Isn't it technically China's port now?
When Hambantota was leased out to China for 99 years it was officially announced that the port was off-limits for military vessels. Of course the actual document of lease was never made public. Further the Chinese vesselin question is officially claimed to be a satellite tracking vessel. So an added figleaf of defence can be claimed that it belongs to the Chinese equivalent of ISRO and hence not PLAN ship.
China had publicly stated that the artificial islands in SCS were not going to be militarized. Such verbal promises are not worth the paper that they are written on.
Gautam
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by g.sarkar »

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/ ... remesinghe
Sri Lankan government accused of draconian treatment of protesters
New president Ranil Wickremesinghe is attempting to crush mass protests that forced out predecessor
Aanya Wipulasena in Colombo and Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Delhi, Fri 5 Aug 2022

The Sri Lankan government has been accused of a draconian crackdown on protesters who were involved in toppling Gotabaya Rajapaksa as president, with activists facing intimidation, surveillance and arbitrary arrest.
Dozens of protesters have been detained by the police in recent days as the government, led by the newly appointed president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, tried to crush the mass protest movement that forced Rajapaksa to flee the country and resign in early July.
After the fall of Rajapaksa, the protest movement, known as the Aragalaya, has turned its focus to Wickremesinghe, calling for him to step down. He is accused of lacking legitimacy and public support and of protecting the powerful Rajapaksa family, who are accused of bankrupting the country.
Protesters try to break the gates at the compound housing the office of Sri Lanka’s prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Wickremesinghe pledged his backing for the protest movement, but since taking office as president, has described the protesters as “fascists” and begun to use the full force of state machinery against activists he alleged had broken the law.
One of his firsts act of office was to declare a state of emergency, granting the police sweeping powers to detain people. In the early hours of 22 July, he authorised the military to clear part of a protest camp and take back the presidential secretariat building which had been occupied; more than 50 people, including lawyers and journalists, were injured.
Since then, activists and human rights organisations described a systematic targeting of figures who are prominent in the protest movement. More than 100 people, including a Buddhist monk, have been arrested, the courts have issued travel bans, police have raided protesters’ family homes and security agencies have taken activists off the streets and questioned them for hours.
“The government’s strategy seem to be to instil fear to make the protesters withdraw,” said Ruki Fernando, a prominent rights activist.
Among those targeted has been Jeewantha Peiris, a Catholic priest who is a well-known figure in the protest movement and has been outspoken against the government. Police were given orders to arrest him on site and two churches, one in his home town and one in Colombo, were raided by officers looking for him.
.....
Gautam
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

After India Questions 'Real Purpose', Sri Lanka Asks China to ‘Defer’ Spy Ship Yuan Wang 5's Arrival
Sri Lanka has requested China to defer the arrival of its spy ship Yuan Wang 5 after India raised concerns over the “real purpose" of the voyage.
Yuan Wang 5 is a dual-use spy vessel, employed for space and satellite tracking and with specific usage in intercontinental ballistic missile launches. It is a third-generation tracking ship of the Yuan Wang Series, which came into service on September 29, 2007, and was designed by China’s 708 Research Institute.
It is a highly sophisticated missile range instrumentation ship with top-of-the-line antennas and electronic equipment to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

‘Senseless’: Beijing unhappy as India opposes docking of Chinese ship at Sri Lankan port
BEIJING: China on Monday described as “senseless” India’s opposition to the docking of a Chinese ship at a Sri Lankan port, saying “relevant” countries should stop disturbing normal exchanges between Beijing and Colombo. China’s Yuan Wang 5, a space and satellite tracking vessel, was allowed by Colombo last month to dock at the southern Sri Lankan port of Hambantota between August 11 and 17, raising security concerns in New Delhi.

Reports from Colombo said that following India’s concerns, Sri Lanka had asked Beijing to defer the arrival of the ship.

Responding to the reports, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, said on Monday that Beijing had taken note of the reports and asserted that “the cooperation between China and Sri Lanka is independently chosen by the two countries and meets common interests. It does not target any third party”.

It is “senseless to pressure Sri Lanka” by citing the issue of security concerns, Wang said, in reference to the reports that Sri Lanka’s move was attributed to concerns expressed by India.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by g.sarkar »

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-s ... ip-3233871
China Seeks Urgent Meeting After Sri Lanka Relents To India Pressure: Report
The Chinese space and satellite tracking research vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' was scheduled to dock at Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port from August 11 to 17.
Press Trust of India, August 08, 2022

Colombo: China's embassy here has sought an urgent meeting with senior Sri Lankan authorities after Colombo sought a deferment of the planned docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the strategic Hambantota port over which India raised concerns, sources said.
The Chinese space and satellite tracking research vessel 'Yuan Wang 5' was scheduled to dock at the Hambantota Port from August 11 to 17, weeks after Sri Lanka witnessed a major political turmoil following massive mass protests over the country's worst economic crisis in decades.
A 'third-person' note from Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry to the Chinese embassy in Colombo dated August 5 says "the ministry wishes to request that the arrival of the vessel Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota to be deferred until further consultations are made on the matter."
Some media reports said that India was worried the vessel would be used to spy on its activities and that it had lodged a complaint with Sri Lanka.
The Chinese embassy in Colombo sought an urgent meeting with the higher Sri Lankan authorities to discuss the issue after receiving the note from the Foreign Ministry seeking a delay in the visit, sources here said.
Some Sri Lankan news portals also reported that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a closed-door meeting with China's Ambassador Qi Zhenhong after Colombo sought a deferment of the planned docking.
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https://www.thehindu.com/news/internati ... 745622.ece
China asks India to stop ‘disturbing’ exchanges with Sri Lanka, says opposition to ship visit is ‘senseless’
Ananth Krishnan, AUGUST 09, 2022

Terming ‘morally irresponsible’, China slams India over Sri Lanka’s decision to delay ship visit
Reacting strongly to Sri Lanka’s request to delay the visit of a tracking vessel that was due to arrive on August 11 and had aroused India’s concerns, China on Monday described India’s opposition to the visit as “unjustified” and “morally irresponsible”, and “urged” New Delhi to “not disturb normal exchanges” between the two countries.
The Yuan Wang 5 tracking and survey vessel had last month been given clearance by Sri Lanka to stop in the port of Hambantota from August 11 to 17 to carry out replenishment.
The visit of a space and satellite tracking vessel for close to a week had, however, aroused concerns in New Delhi, and last week, Sri Lanka’s government conveyed to China that it wanted the visit deferred “until further consultations” were made. Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong sought a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday, after receiving the note verbale from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry requesting a delay in the visit.
Diplomatic clearance given: Sri Lanka
In a statement late on Monday, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the request, saying that on July 12 it had given “diplomatic clearance” for the Chinese vessel to make a port call. “Subsequently in light of the need for further consultations, the Ministry has communicated to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Colombo to defer the visit of the said vessel to the Hambantota port,” the Ministry said, in its first official statement on the controversial vessel visit, without commenting on the outcome of its request.
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Gautam
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Manish_P »

This would have been done in Bakistan as well if not for the 4.5 fathers

Sri Lanka raises electricity tariffs by up to 264%
Sri Lanka's state-run electricity monopoly will raise tariffs by a stinging 264 per cent for people consuming the least, it announced Tuesday, while higher users will face a smaller increase.

The loss-making Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said the regulator had allowed it to carry out the sharp increases, the first in nine years, from Wednesday to recoup part of its accumulated losses of $616 million.

The CEB had asked for a bigger tariff increase of over 800 per cent, but the regulator capped it at a maximum of 264 per cent, officials said.
Intrigued by the 'the first in nine years' line in the article.... does it mean that prices in lanka were not raised for the past 9 years ??
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

China's Spy Ship Still Headed To Sri Lanka Despite "Defer" Request
New Delhi: China continues to sail a missile observation and tracking ship to Sri Lanka's port of Hambantota despite a request from Lankan authorities to defer the visit. India has expressed concern about the ship, which can be used to track ballistic missiles.

At 10 am today, the 23,000-ton Yuan Wang 5 is sailing West off the coast of Indonesia at a speed of 14 knots or 26 kilometres per hour. It is expected to reach in Hambantota on Thursday at 9:30 am Indian time.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Aditya_V »

best is to a sea mine in its path while entering Hambantota and claim innocence.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Tuan »

kit wrote:
Hari Nair wrote:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 116904.cms

"Sri Lanka has asked China to help with trade, investment and tourism to help it grow sustainably, Colombo's envoy to Beijing said on Monday as it negotiates for an emergency $4 billion package to help it emerge from an economic meltdown."

So what's going on there? It appears that the old dispensation is back again and back to their old China leanings?
All that 'people's protest' seems to have been snuffed out and the tables neatly turned back, in some deft behind-the-scene manoeuvres.
Requesting any Forum members with greater insight into the situation there, to please put forth their opinions.
I think the Chinese were waiting till the muddied waters are cleared before catching the fish and in this case Wickremesinghe. Mostly seen as the "mediator" tool for the Rajapakshas it would be useful to see his leanings. The people's risings quelled down not because of any underhand movement but most likely less "international involvement" (read Nuland and co) or if interestingly their objectives were met.

China is likely to up their game and hopefully India is not going to stand by. India did "right thing" not utilizing the troubled situation but we will soon see if that was the right approach. The SL economy is in shambles and a fire sale of govt entities is a possibility. Lets hope China does not buy it wholesale.
Wickremesinghe is just a puppet strategically placed by the Sri Lankan military. Similar to Pakistan, today, in Sri Lanka as well, whatever the military says is what matters the most! This is a plot that could have been covertly aided by a foreign power, namely China, that would potentially benefit from a de facto military regime drawn ever more into its orbit and away from the United States and India.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by ldev »

Chinese "Spy" Ship Cleared To Dock At Lanka Port Amid Concerns In India
Colombo: Sri Lanka's government has granted permission for a controversial Chinese research vessel to visit the island despite India's concerns that it could spy on New Delhi's military installations, officials said on Saturday.
The Yuan Wang 5 is described as a research and survey vessel by international shipping and analytics sites, but is said to be a dual-use spy ship.....

.....Sri Lanka government sources said that although India had raised concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe himself, the country failed to give a "satisfactory response" as to why the ship should not be allowed to dock......

.....Port officials said the Chinese vessel was about 1,000 kilometres southeast of Sri Lanka on Friday night and was heading slowly towards the Hambantota deep sea port.

Sri Lanka leased the port to China for 99 years for $1.12 billion, less than the $1.4 billion Sri Lanka paid a Chinese company to build it.

According to sources in the Indian government, the Yuan Wang 5 could be employed for space and satellite tracking and has specific uses in intercontinental ballistic missile launches.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by g.sarkar »

https://www.rediff.com/news/report/raja ... 220818.htm
Rajapaksa applies for Green Card to settle in US: Report
Hemant Waje, August 18, 2022

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country last month amidst massive anti-government protests calling for his resignation, is awaiting to obtain a United States Green Card to return to America and settle there with his wife and son, a media report said on Thursday.
Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror, citing highly-placed sources, claimed that Rajapaksa's lawyers in the United States had already begun the procedure last month for his application to obtain the Green Card as he was eligible to apply due to his wife Loma Rajapaksa being a US citizen.
In 2019, Rajapaksa renounced his US citizenship to contest the 2019 presidential polls.
Rajapaksa took early retirement from the Sri Lanka Army and moved into the field of information technology, before immigrating to the United States in 1998. He returned to Sri Lanka in 2005,
The procedure will also now involve his lawyers in Colombo submitting the additional documents here in order to go ahead with the procedure, the daily said.
The 73-year-old former President who is presently in a hotel in Bangkok along with his wife will return to Sri Lanka on August 25, cancelling his initial plan to remain in Thailand at least till November, the report said.
The daily said that two days ago, Rajapaksa consulted his lawyers and decided to return to Sri Lanka later this month as he was not allowed the freedom to move in Thailand as initially expected, due to security concerns.
Upon his arrival in Bangkok, Thai police advised the ousted President to remain indoors for security reasons.
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https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/17/asia/sri ... index.html
Sri Lanka's former president tipped to return to crisis-hit nation next week
Iqbal Athas and Rhea Mogul, CNN, Wed August 17, 2022

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Gautam
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

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https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-paci ... 022-08-19/
IMF eyes creditor assurances as it prepares Sri Lanka visit
Reuters, August 19, 2022

Aug 19 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said it will need "adequate assurances" from Sri Lanka's creditors for a new program as it prepares a visit to Colombo later this month.
The goal of the visit is to make progress on a staff-level agreement for an aid package "in the near term," to help the island nation weather a severe economic crisis, the IMF said on Friday.
Staff from the global lender will be in Colombo from August 24 to 31, the IMF said.
"Because Sri Lanka’s public debt is assessed as unsustainable, approval by the IMF Executive Board of the Extended Fund Facility program would require adequate assurances by Sri Lanka’s creditors that debt sustainability will be restored," the IMF said.
Reuters reported on Thursday that Sri Lanka will ask Japan to invite the Indian Ocean island's main creditor nations, including China and India, to talks on bilateral debt restructuring.
The loan package being negotiated with the IMF is for between $2 billion and $3 billion according to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who said he would present an interim budget in September focusing on fiscal consolidation measures agreed with the IMF.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

Crisis-Stricken Sri Lanka Bans Import Of 300 Consumer Goods Items
Colombo: The cash-strapped Sri Lankan government has slapped a ban on the import of 300 consumer items like chocolates, perfumes and shampoos until further notice, as the island nation tried to tackle its worst economic crisis triggered by the acute shortage of foreign exchange.
Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. The worsening forex crisis caused essential items shortages triggering massive public protests in the street since early this year that led to the ouster of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government last month.

In a special notification issued by the Sri Lankan finance ministry, the ban was imposed on a total of 300 items including chocolates, perfumes, wristwatches, telephones, pressure cookers, air conditioners, musical instruments, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages among several other products.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

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https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/s ... 2022-08-23
Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe calls Rajapaksa to facilitate his return: Reports
According to media reports, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reached out to his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to facilitate his return to the crisis-hit country.
Press Trust of India, Colombo, August 23, 2022

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reached out to his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to facilitate his return to the crisis-hit country, media reports said on Monday.
Rajapaksa, 73, fled the country and resigned last month in the face of a popular uprising against his government for mismanaging the island nation's economy.
He is currently staying in a hotel in Bangkok with his wife Loma Rajapaksa.
The Daily Mirror newspaper, citing highly-placed sources, claimed Wickremesinghe is reported to have contacted Rajapaksa to discuss arrangements for his return to the country.
Sri Lanka’s ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party on Monday said that a request was made from Wickremesinghe to provide necessary facilities and security to Rajapaksa upon his return to the country, news portal Newsfirst.lk reported.
Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam, the SLPP General Secretary said that following discussions with President Wickremesinghe last week, they received a positive response and are awaiting Rajapaksa’s return, the report said.
The date of Rajapaksa’s return has still not been finalised, it said, amid reports that he may arrive here this week from Bangkok.
Last week, the main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said Rajapaksa has the right to return to the country, but he must be tried for allegations of misuse of funds since he does not enjoy legal immunity.
The Sri Lanka's Constitution allows privileges to former presidents, including personal security and an office with staff.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62765262
Gotabaya Rajapaksa: Sri Lanka's ousted former president returns
Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC News, 02/09/2022

Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled abroad after mass protests in July, has returned to the country.
Mr Rajapaksa had been staying in Thailand on a temporary visa and flew back home via Singapore.
Some Sri Lankan ministers are reported to have met him at the airport.
Sri Lankans blame his government for the island's worst economic crisis in history. A collapse in foreign currency led to dire shortages of food and fuel.
Protests began in April, following a sharp increase in food and fuel costs.
Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life and all communities took part in the largely peaceful protests demanding the resignation of Mr Rajapaksa and his elder brother Mahinda, the then prime minister who quit in May.
In July thousands of people stormed his official residence, and the disgraced president then fled on a military plane first to the Maldives and then to Singapore, from where he sent in his resignation. That paved the way for veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe to become president.
Mr Rajapaksa's return is a sensitive issue for the new government which does not want more protests and will need to ensure his security.
"We are not opposed to the return of Mr Rajapaksa. Any Sri Lankan citizen can return to the country," Father Jeewantha Peiris, a prominent protest leader, told the BBC.
"People came to the streets because of the alleged corruption against his government. We don't have any personal enmity against him."
Other protesters say they will oppose any attempt by Mr Rajapaksa to rejoin politics or the government.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by habal »

get the feeling that it is the military calling the shots all the way. It is becoming a buddhist pakistan but its too weak to flex it's muscles so doing the best it can. It is full of tricks up it's sleeve like the Chinese spy ship port call.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by ritesh »

Some much needed noise against the lankans for their perfidy.
However, don't think it will be effective or yield meaningful leverage vis-a-vis dragon

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 2-amp.html
Speaking at the interactive dialogue on report of OHCHR on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, the Indian delegation said it “notes with concern the lack of measurable progress by Govt of Sri Lanka on their commitments of a political solution to ethnic issue”.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/internati ... 883402.ece
India raises Sri Lankan Tamil issue in U.N.
Meera Srinivasan, Colombo, September 12, 2022

Also makes unusual reference to crisis-hit island nation’s “debt-driven” economy in the context of its current crisis.
India on Monday voiced concern over the “lack of measurable progress” in Sri Lanka’s promised political solution to the long-pending Tamil national question, while making an unusual reference to the crisis-hit island nation’s “debt-driven” economy in the context of its current crisis.
In its statement at the 51 st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, India said it has “always believed in the responsibility of States for promotion and protection of human rights and constructive international dialogue and cooperation” guided by the U.N. Charter. “In this regard, the Indian delegation notes with concern the lack of measurable progress by Government of Sri Lanka on their commitments of a political solution to the ethnic issue — through full implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution, delegation of powers to Provincial Councils and holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest,” India said. The terms of Sri Lanka’s nine provincial councils expired about three years ago, and they have remained defunct since.
India’s statement comes ahead of a resolution on Sri Lanka that will likely face a vote at the Council. Since 2009, India has voted thrice in favour of the U.N. resolution on Sri Lanka — two were critical — and abstained twice, in 2014 and 2021. Irrespective of its vote, India has consistently underscored the need for a political settlement “within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, ensuring justice, peace, equality and dignity for the Tamils of Sri Lanka,” as it reiterated on Monday as well.
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https://thewire.in/diplomacy/sri-lanka- ... ta-tourism
How India – Irked by a Chinese Ship – Issued an Advisory That Led to a Dip in Sri Lanka's Tourists
The 20% drop in tourists to the cash-strapped country has functioned as a quick demonstration of New Delhi’s use of economic leverage to express unhappiness over Sri Lanka’s handling of the Chinese vessel's docking.
Devirupa Mitra, 12/SEP/2022

New Delhi: Following an advisory by India last month, asking citizens to be careful about travel to Sri Lanka, monthly tourist arrivals in the Indian Ocean island nation – still pounded by severe economic headwinds – dipped by 20% in August compared to the previous month.
With the advisory issued just after a Chinese research vessel was allowed to dock at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port, the drop in Indian tourists seems to have functioned as a quick demonstration of New Delhi’s use of economic leverage to express unhappiness over Sri Lanka’s handling of the matter.
Sri Lanka’s top tourism official was explicit in stating that the decrease was thanks to the country’s northern neighbour.
“…This happened especially in India. If you look at the Indian arrivals, they contribute a lot to the sudden drop in arrivals towards the latter part of August,” chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Priyantha Fernando, told a top Sri Lankan business news portal, EconomyNext.
Indian tourists had been the largest source of income for the Sri Lankan market in the first eight months of 2022. In July, 6,031 Indian citizens travelled to Sri Lanka, which dipped to 5,340 in August.
Indians topped the list of foreign arrivals to the country even in July – a month which saw mass protests over the economy reach their climax with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dramatically fleeing the country after the storming of the presidential palace. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe replaced him as president after getting support from ruling party members.
A month later, at the August 25 weekly briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi issued a statement calling on Indian citizens to consider “all relevant factors” before going on “any essential travel to Sri Lanka.”
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Dilbu »

Love the way Indian govt's travel advisories are having an effect economically.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/internati ... 913918.ece
China keeps Pakistan, Sri Lanka waiting on loan deals
Ananth Krishnan, Meera Srinivasan, BEIJING/COLOMBO, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, facing financial stress, have been engaged in long-running talks with Beijing for assistance
China has offered Pakistan’s visiting Army Chief technical help as the country deals with record floods, but did not announce any substantial financial assistance which its “all-weather” ally has been seeking.
Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, facing financial stress, have been engaged in long-running talks with Beijing for assistance, but with negotiations in both cases having made little headway, both countries have turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Their new IMF commitments are now likely to impact their owed payments to China, which has lent the two countries more than $26 billion in the past five years.
Following talks in Xi’an between Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and China’s Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe, the Chinese side expressed willingness to provide technical assistance for flood relief work, Pakistan’s official Inter Services Public Relations said.
Chinese State media quoted Gen. Wei as calling on both countries “to tide over difficulties together, fully trust each other, and unswervingly support each other’s core interests on the way forward” but did not detail any offers of assistance. Chinese media noted that Beijing had previously provided relief supplies worth $57 million.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s government assured the IMF it would reduce capacity payments owed to Chinese projects or seek to restructure loans, with over $1.09 billion still owed to Chinese power producers.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has been pressing Beijing for a $4 billion loan, but talks that have dragged on for several months appear to have not yielded an agreement. Rather than restructure Sri Lanka’s existing debt, Beijing has indicated it would prefer to instead extend new loans to an already heavily indebted economy.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by chetak »

Sri Lanka Is Now A Low-Income Country, Cabinet Approves Downgrade




Sri Lanka cabinet approves downgrade to 'low income country'
October 11, 2022
COLOMBO

Agrees for a downgrade to access concessional funding from international organisations

Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved downgrading the island nation to the status of "low income country", in order to get access to concessional funding from international organisations, the cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said on Tuesday.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by Manish_P »

chetak wrote:Sri Lanka Is Now A Low-Income Country, Cabinet Approves Downgrade

...
But still very high on the happiness index eh, Chetak saar :)

PS: welcome back!
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by chetak »

Manish_P wrote:
chetak wrote:Sri Lanka Is Now A Low-Income Country, Cabinet Approves Downgrade

...
But still very high on the happiness index eh, Chetak saar :)

PS: welcome back!
Thank you, Manish_P ji.

these lankan guys are like the afghans, and they are trying to play India off against the hans, hoping to benefit from both sides.

In the meantime, Modi is very shrewdly playing on an entirely different pitch, undercutting the dravidians in TN by directly supporting the lankan tamils in SL and trying hard to take the dravidians in TN out of the lankan tamils equation or greatly defang/lessen their dravidian clout. This is how he is undercutting the separatist forces unleashed by the BIF abrahamic cults and rallying around tamil eelam is their one big plank


Oct 07, 2022

India on Thursday abstained on a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) promoting human rights in Sri Lanka but urged the government in Colombo to deliver on commitments towards the Tamil minority.

While explaining India’s vote on the resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, Indra Mani Pandey, the country’s permanent representative in Geneva, said that the progress made so far by the Sri Lankan government to meet the aspirations of the Tamil minority “remains inadequate”.

“Accordingly, we urge the government of Sri Lanka to work meaningfully towards early implementation of these commitments,” he added.

Achieving prosperity for all Sri Lankans and “realising the legitimate aspirations of Tamils of Sri Lanka for prosperity, dignity and peace are two sides of the same coin”, Pandey pointed out.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 10324.html
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by rsingh »

I never knew that a country can declare itself to be very poor.
How come Bakistani missed this chance.
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by hnair »

rsingh-saar, the RAPE classes embedded deep inside money-providing western establishments need to project a “now on hard times but still the only Islamic TFTA country” charade since Ayub Khan. The country is one big dusty shanty but RAPE provides a chikni-wall around the shanty town, while pickpocketing the idiot west and spending that money on themselves.

Sri Lanka did not embed their devious elites among the west and hence is suffering rather transparently
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Re: Sri Lanka - News and Discussion- Post PM appointment crisis

Post by chetak »

hnair wrote:rsingh-saar, the RAPE classes embedded deep inside money-providing western establishments need to project a “now on hard times but still the only Islamic TFTA country” charade since Ayub Khan. The country is one big dusty shanty but RAPE provides a chikni-wall around the shanty town, while pickpocketing the idiot west and spending that money on themselves.

Sri Lanka did not embed their devious elites among the west and hence is suffering rather transparently
hnair Saab,

SL adamantly did not heed the orders of the BIF when they vaporized the ltte, especially its abrahamic top leadership including families and descendants.

the angry BIF started war crimes investigations, imposed spiteful unofficial sanctions, no aid of any sort worth the name was allowed, the BIF ensured sly isolation in international circles, pariah status in the UN was done by the BIF ganging up and SL had no real approach to financial institutions like IMF and world bank.

Very powerful forces have conspired against them and still continue to do so but the real target is India. What was done by the BIF in the NE by the abrahamics is sought to be duplicated in the south too

Even the aid that came to SL after the country tanked was miserly.

Had India not stepped in, the situation would have gone out of control with the real possibility of civil war and refugees flooding into India.

It is not a coincidence that social unrest is rife in KER, TN, AP and many parts of KAR, especially the coastal belt and a bulk of these lands is what they are "claiming" as eelam

Even today, India continues to do much more for them than is acknowledged publicly.
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