May 8, 2024 12:39 am
Results: 68
Lack of transparency in Chinese contracts were the concern – Harsha
Our major concern was the lack of transparency with the way infrastructure projects were originally awarded to the Chinese, Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs Harsha Desilva said in an interview. Speaking to Finance Asia he added that where we could, we were able re-negotiate and restructure the contracts to bring the overall costs down. MORE...
Port City can resume tomorrow if Chinese firm agrees to leasehold - Ravi
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake says that the Sri Lankan government is prepared give the go-ahead for the Colombo Port City project to resume even tomorrow, if the Chinese company agrees to begin the US$1.4 billion project on a 99-year lease. MORE.
Government says would consider visit by China navy ships
Sri Lanka would consider allowing Chinese naval ships to visit again but no request has been forthcoming yet, the country’s defence Secretary said on Sunday. MORE...
China seeks to rebuild Silk Road trade links
China is increasingly engaging other countries for its ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative to rebuild the historic Silk Road which begins in Fuzhou, China and goes via Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and East Africa to build trade links with Europe, Asia and Africa. MORE...
Govt at risk of claims by Chinese port city project - document
Sri Lanka would be exposed to the risk of claims from the firm managing a suspended Chinese-backed real estate project if the government fails to obtain approvals needed by the project within 60 days, a government document showed on Thursday. MORE..
China like to assist and cooperate with Sri Lanka: Xianliang
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka Ambassador, Yi Xianliang, said that China would like to assist and cooperate with Sri Lanka in economic development including maritime economy of which there should be of great potentials. MORE...
Couldn’t win the war without China’s help: SF
Sri Lanka will maintain the close relationship with China that provided strong support to help Sri Lanka end its 30-year civil war with the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009, a leading military officer has said. MORE...
India not capable of providing large investment and loans to SL?
China’s state media today said Sri Lanka should retain friendship with cash-rich China as India is “not capable of providing large investment and loans”, in the first commentary following the defeat of pro-Beijing Mahinda Rajapaksa in the recent parliamentary elections. MORE...
China stands ready to work with new Government
China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to consolidate the traditional friendship, strengthen mutually-beneficial cooperation, and elevate China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperation partnership to a new level, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying. MORE...
Chinese tourists advised to be cautious in Sri Lanka
Chinese tourists traveling in Sri Lanka have been urged to remain cautious due to various accidents in the island nation. MORE..
Sri Lanka softens stance on China-backed port project
Sri Lanka is offering a compromise that could allow a major Chinese-backed real estate project to restart after months of delays, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake told Reuters on Monday. MORE...
Chinese company rejects reports of funding Sri Lankan politicians
The China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC) on Thursday rejected reports that it had offered financial assistance to any politician during Sri Lanka’s January presidential elections. MORE...
No pressure from India on Port City project - govt
The Sri Lankan government has denied reports that the Indian government is exerting pressure on it to stall the $1.4 billion Colombo Port City Project. MORE..
India wanted Sri Lanka to stop Colombo Port City – Gotabaya
Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that India’s National Security Advisor had requested the former Sri Lankan government to stop the Chinese-funded Colombo Port City project as it would pose a threat to that country’s security. MORE..
Kerala eyes more tourists from Sri Lanka
A luxury liner from Sri Lanka and chartered flights from China are expected in Kerala as part of efforts to woo more tourists from the two countries, the IANS reported. MORE...
Indian Ocean cannot be backyard of India - China
China recognises India’s special role in stabilising the strategic Indian Ocean region but the perception that it is India’s “backyard” may result in clashes, Chinese military officials and experts have cautioned. MORE...
Sri Lanka to dilute dependence on China - Mangala
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister says the country will review its China-dependent foreign policy and boost ties with other nations. MORE...
Sri Lanka condoles with China on ship sinking
The Sri Lankan Government today expressed condolences to the Government and the people of China on the tragic incident of the capsizing of a cruise ship in the Yangtze River in the Hubei Province, where many people are feared to have drowned, with hundreds still missing. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector outperforms broader economy: report
A steep rise in visitor numbers to Sri Lanka is driving growth in the country’s tourism industry, though a slowdown in the Chinese economy and problems in Russia could take the edge off the surge of arrivals later in the year. MORE..
Sri Lanka and China satisfied over Norochcholai Coal Power Plant - report
Sri Lankan says it has saved more than 700 million U.S. dollars as a result of a Chinese sponsored coal power plant which has been in operation in the north western part of the country since 2011. MORE...
Sri Lanka ranks 132 on global happiness index
Sri Lanka has climbed 5 places in a global ranking of the happiest nations, coming in at the 132nd spot out of 158 countries on the index that took into account GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support and freedom to make life choices as indicators of happiness. MORE..
Chinese contractors reject Lotus Tower ‘spying’ allegation
Chinese contractor of the Lotus Tower in Sri Lanka on Tuesday denied allegations that the tower was to be used as an electronic surveillance facility against India and added that such “baseless rumours” only insulted the Sri Lankan government. MORE...
Sri Lanka neither pro-India nor pro-China: Ranil
Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe has said Sri Lanka is neither pro-India nor pro-China. MORE...
CCCSL maintains Southern Railway project built on low costs
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (CCCSL) on Friday rejected the accusation by the new government that the Southern Railway project in the island nation was constructed on a higher cost than the Northern Railway project. MORE..
No room for any family to control country again – President
President Maithripala Sirisena says that with the proposed amendments to the Constitution, the government will not leave room in the future for any single family to control the country ever again. MORE..
Chinese naval ships to use Gwadar port after Colombo snub
Pakistan’s Gwadar port which has been taken over by a Chinese firm could guarantee maintenance and supply for China’s naval ships in the Indian Ocean after the new Sri Lankan government declined permission for Chinese vessels to dock in the country. MORE..
Minister Wijedasa to attend AALCO session in China
Minister of Justice Dr. Wijedasa Rajapakse is to attend the opening of the 54th session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) and deliver a key-note speech, which is scheduled to take place in Beijing, China, the Ministry said. MORE...
China, Sri Lanka hold drill to enhance anti-terror skills
China and Sri Lanka have held a joint drill at a comprehensive military training base in southern China to enhance their capabilities, specially in combating terror. MORE..
Chinese navy’s Yemen evacuation draws praise
Bombs, bullets, shells and death surrounded Sri Lanka’s Glen Edward when he was trapped in war-torn Yemen just days ago. MORE..
Power must be distributed – President
President Maithripala Sirisena says that he plans to announce details of a domestic probe into allegations of human rights violation during Sri Lanka’s long civil war by the end of June, just as the country heads into early general elections. MORE..
54 Sri Lankans evacuated from Yemen
The Government of Sri Lanka today said that at present 54 Sri Lankans have been evacuated from Yemen. MORE..
China ‘appreciates’ Sri Lanka’s stance on Dalai Lama invitation
China on Friday said it appreciated Sri Lanka’s stance on the Dalai Lama, as it seems unlikely their government would grant him a visa to visit. MORE..
China today denied that a sum of Rs 30 billion has been reduced from the construction cost of the Colombo Outer Circular Expressway, as claimed by the spokesman of the Sri Lankan government. MORE..
Eight Sri Lankan safely evacuated from Yemen
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that three Sri Lankans have already Yemen and that another five are currently on their way to Djibouti via sea. MORE..
China to help evacuate Sri Lankans in Yemen
China has agreed to assist in evacuating Sri Lankan nationals stranded in Yemen following a request made by the Government of Sri Lanka, Acting Chinese Ambassador Ren Faqiang said. MORE..
Sri Lanka to resume road development projects with China
The Sri Lankan government has decided to recommence all the main and provincial road development projects in the island nation with China, a government official said on Sunday. MORE...
UPDATE: President addresses Boao Forum in China
The theme of this year’s Boao Forum, ‘Asia’s new future towards a community of common destiny’, is relevant and dynamic, President Maithripala Sirisena said on Saturday (28). MORE...
Sri Lanka fires fresh salvo at Chinese firm
The Chinese company involved in the controversial US$1.4 billion Colombo Port City project has failed to furnish the necessary documents within the two-week deadline set by the new government, which is also reviewing other Chinese projects including a high-profile telecommunications tower, Sri Lanka’s finance minister said. MORE..
China offers Sri Lanka olive branch and warnings
President Xi Jinping worked to mend relations with Sri Lanka on Thursday as Chinese state-run media warned the island nation’s new government against shutting off billions in investments from Beijing, AFP reports. MORE...
Sirisena meets China’s President amid new look at ties
Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena has held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping amid efforts to recalibrate his predecessor’s strongly pro-China policies. MORE..
President Sirisena leaves for Beijing
President Maithripala Sirisena today left for Beijing commencing a four-day state visit on the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. MORE..
Sirisena heads to China to smooth ruffled ties
Sri Lanka’s new president heads to Beijing this week for talks with China’s leadership, seeking to smooth ruffled feathers after scuttling Chinese-funded projects and seeking stronger ties with regional rival India. MORE...
Bid to invite Dalai Lama stirs up controversy
The reported bid by a leading Sri Lankan Buddhist monk to invite the Dalai Lama to the island nation, has received flak from official as well as non-official quarters in Colombo. MORE..
India interfering in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs, says Chinese thinktank
A Chinese government backed thinktank has accused India of interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka when Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited the Tamil dominated Jafna area. It has also said India was trying to counter Beijing’s influence by encouraging Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh to avoid the China’s Silk Road program. MORE.
Will Chinese investors quit if Port City comes to a standstill?
The temporary suspension of the Port City project in Colombo has put lot of Chinese investors in uncertainty regarding the Sri Lankan investment policy. MORE..
Government grants approval to construct breakwater of Colombo Port City
Sri Lanka’s cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a breakwater for a Chinese funded port city project which had been suspended by the government earlier this month. MORE...
China urges Sri Lanka to protect interests of investors
China on Tuesday urged Sri Lanka to protect the interests of Chinese investors and promote bilateral economic ties following the suspension of a China-funded port project in Colombo. MORE...
Sri Lanka-China tensions rise over suspended port project
The Sri Lankan government’s decision to review, and in effect suspend, the $US1.4 billion, Chinese-backed Colombo Port City (CPC) project has strained relations between Beijing and Colombo. MORE...
Modi visit won’t hurt Sri Lanka-China ties: Chinese commentary
China-Sri Lanka relations will not be affected by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s visit but only grow stronger, a commentary in the Chinese media said. MORE...
Modi to discuss growing influence of China with Sri Lanka
Indian defence expert Qamar Agha on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take up the matter of growing Chinese influence in the region with the Sri Lankan government during his upcoming visit to the island nation. MORE..
Don’t look at Sri Lanka through Tamil prism - Champika
India should see Sri Lanka as a whole and stop focussing just on the island’s Tamil-majority Northern Province, Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said in an interview to The Hindu on Monday. MORE...
Sri Lanka is not anti-China but mainland firms won’t get ‘carte blanche’: Ravi
Sri Lanka’s new leadership is not targeting China and only wants its help to fight corrupt deals orchestrated by the last government, the island nation’s finance minister said, even as he ratcheted up rhetoric against Chinese companies he said were once given “carte blanche” in his country. MORE...
China asks Sri Lanka to protect interests of investors
China has urged Sri Lanka to respect bilateral agreements and business contracts, and protect the interests of its investors following the suspension of a multi- billion-U.S. dollar project, the Chinese Embassy said on Saturday. MORE...
Chinese firm confirms suspension of Colombo Port City project
China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), the ultimate investor in the Colombo Port City Project, says that it will fully cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka and continue to adhere to the procedures and conditions stipulated in the agreement entered into with the government. MORE..
Modi to offer assistance to Sri Lanka to counter China influence
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. MORE...
Colombo Port City project suspended
The cabinet has decided to suspend the Colombo Port City project temporarily, Cabinet Spokesman Rajith Senaratne said. MORE...
China says Sri Lanka loans made “based on consensus”
China’s loans to Sri Lanka were made based on consensus through talks between the two countries and at Sri Lanka’s request, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday, after Sri Lanka’s foreign minister expressed concern about the loans. MORE...
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera concluded a successful two-day official visit to China today, during which he paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and also held extensive bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. MORE...
China formally backs trilateral partnership with India, Sri Lanka
China on Friday formally backed a trilateral partnership with India and Sri Lanka to establish a Maritime Silk Road (MSR) and promote the rise of Eurasia. MORE..
Sri Lanka says China to be consulted on any project re-think
Sri Lanka will not make any decision on Chinese projects it is reviewing until it consults China, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister said on Friday, pledging that his new government would welcome Chinese investors. MORE..
Foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera left for a two day visit to China in a bid to strengthen relations, an official said here on Wednesday. MORE...
Sri Lanka says China port city broke rules
Sri Lanka’s prime minister said on Wednesday a $1.5 billion luxury real estate deal with China was signed without cabinet approval and without following procedures, and launched a new investigation to uncover any corruption. MORE...
China official says Colombo Port City project going ahead
The China-funded port city project in Colombo was going ahead, a top Chinese official from the company executing it said Wednesday, days after the new Sri Lankan government claimed the deal was still being assessed. MORE..
Sri Lanka to strengthen ‘special friendship’ with China
Describing the bilateral relations between China and Sri Lanka as a ‘special friendship,’ Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his desire to closely engage with the Chinese Government. MORE..
China welcomes decision to go ahead with Port City Project
China today welcomed new Sri Lankan government’s decision to go ahead with the controversial USD 1.5 billion Colombo Port City project funded by it, calling the country an important partner in implementing its mega Maritime Silk Road project in South Asia. MORE..
Sri Lanka to go ahead with China-backed Port City Project
The Cabinet has decided to continue with the Chinese-assisted Colombo Port City Project, cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratna said today. MORE..
President reaffirms commitment to ties with China
In a message to mark the Chinese New Year, President Sirisena noted the importance of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Sri Lanka last September and affirmed that ties between Sri Lanka and China will continue at a strong level during his tenure. MORE..
China, Sri Lanka traditionally friendly neighbours: Xi
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to his Sri Lanka counterpart Maithripala Sirisena to mark the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. MORE..