News
Japan offers SL special vessel to help compile maritime charts
… reminds the need for anti-corruption measures in line with agreement with IMF
Sri Lanka will take delivery of a vessel equipped with a sonar (echo sounder) to be used in the compiling of maritime charts.Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko made this announcement at a joint media briefing held with her counterpart Ali Sabry, PC, at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo on Saturday (04).
Minister Kamikawa said Sri Lanka was an important partner situated in a strategic location on the sea lanes in the Indian Ocean and Japan would like to actively work with Sri Lanka, the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to achieve inclusive growth for the entire Indo-Pacific region. In this regard, Minister Kamikawa conveyed that Japan intends to further strengthen cooperation in the maritime field with Sri Lanka, and Japan has decided to offer a vessel equipped with a sonar to be used for compiling maritime charts. Minister Sabry stated that Sri Lanka is committed to continue contributing to the peace and stability in the Indian Ocean.
At the onset of the briefing, Foreign Minister Sabry welcomed Minister Kamikawa’s visit to Sri Lanka, and expressed his condolences to the victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Minister Sabry expressed his gratitude for the support from Japan so far, and stated that he would like to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
In response, Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude for Foreign Minister Sabry’s message of sympathy for the damage caused by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and stated that the recent increase in the number of high-level visits is proof of the deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries and that she would do her utmost to strengthen the relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka.
Minister Sabry welcomed the ongoing high-level visits between the two countries including two visits by President Wickremesinghe, and reiterated his appreciation for Japan’s contribution to the discussions on debt restructuring.
Minister Kamikawa commended the Sri Lankan government’s efforts in addressing the debt issues and promoting reforms. At the same time, Minister Kamikawa stated the importance of early signing of the memorandum of understanding on debt restructuring with the Official Creditor Committee and swift implementation of debt restructuring with all creditors in a transparent and comparable manner, as well as the need to work on anti-corruption measures and transparency in the policy making process in accordance with the agreement with the IMF.
Minister Kamikawa also expressed Japan’s intention to further support Sri Lanka’s development by swiftly resuming yen loans for existing projects once the MOU on debt restructuring is signed and the Sri Lankan government’s intention to swiftly conclude a bilateral agreement is confirmed. Minister Sabry explained the recent economic situation in Sri Lanka, and stated that although the situation is gradually improving, Sri Lanka would continue to promote debt restructuring in a transparent manner. Minister Sabry expressed his appreciation for the policy of swift resumption of yen loans for existing projects.
Regarding national reconciliation, Minister Kamikawa commended the Sri Lankan government for making various efforts, and said Japan would also support such efforts. Foreign Minister Sabry explained the Sri Lankan government’s efforts aimed towards national reconciliation, and expressed his appreciation for Japan’s cooperation.”
Japan donated two patrol boats for the Sri Lanka Coast Guard five years ago. The two 30-meter vessels that had been built at the Sumidagawa Shipyard Co. Ltd in Tokyo and were delivered to Sri Lanka on a grant extended by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) based on the Grant Agreement signed by the Sri Lankan Government and JICA in June 2016 under the project for Maritime Safety Capability Improvement in Sri Lanka.
Thirty-six (36) naval personnel completed an eight-month Basic Marine Qualification Course and received their Marine insignia at the main parade ground of SLNS Vidura in Sampur, Trincomalee today, (29 August 2026).
At the invitation of Commandant SLNS Vidura, Captain Ravindu Harischandra, the ceremony was graced by Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Commander Eastern Naval Area.
The group, comprising 3 officers and 33 sailors, completed the 10th intake of the Basic Marine Qualification Course, after volunteering for the demanding training programme.
In recognition of exceptional performance during the training, trophies were presented to outstanding personnel. Lieutenant (S) VPA Sasanka was awarded trophies for Best Marine of the Course, Highest Aggregate in Overall Subjects, and Best Marksman.
Physical Training Instructor WMGDP Bandara received the trophy for Best Physical Fitness. Addressing the newly qualified personnel,
Rear Admiral Liyanagamage congratulated them on successfully completing the course. He urged them to use the skills and experience gained through their training to contribute to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also called on them to apply the courage and determination developed during the course both in their professional and personal lives, and to remain prepared to meet any challenge faced by the country.
He stressed the importance of keeping their knowledge and training up to date and maintaining constant vigilance while carrying out their duties.
Rear Admiral Liyanagamage also expressed his appreciation to
the Commanding Officer of SLNS Vidura and the directing staff for their contribution to the successful completion of the course.
The insignia ceremony also included a demonstration showcasing the capabilities and skills of the Sri Lanka Navy Marine.
Rear Admiral Achala Silva, Director General Logistics; Rear Admiral Kusal Dissanayake, Commandant Naval Infantry; Commodore Sanjeewa Kodikara, Director Marine; officers
from Navy Headquarters and the Eastern Naval Area; senior officers from the Army, Air Force and Police; and parents of the newly passed out marine personnel attended the ceremony.
Norwegians are grieving the death of the beloved King Harald V, as a period of national mourning begins and his son Haakon VIII assumes the throne.
After Harald’s death was announced early on Friday, crowds amassed at the royal palace in Oslo, laying flowers and flags, some mourners visibly in tears.
The 53-year-old new king held an extraordinary council of state meeting with government ministers, saying he was taking on the royal family’s motto “All for Norway”.
Harald – who was on the throne for 35 years – died in hospital at 06:35 local time (04:35 GMT) aged 89, after being treated there for a rare blood condition. His coffin was later taken to the palace in a public procession.
Memorials outside the palace included a candle with the word “thanks” written on it (BBC)
An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets in the capital to see the late king go past, Norway’s public broadcaster reported.
The late monarch has been described as an inclusive, transparent and empathetic “people’s king” who modernised the Norwegian monarchy.
European royals, including King Charles III – whose mother Queen Elizabeth II was Harald’s second cousin – as well as political leaders and ordinary citizens, paid tribute to his service and the stability he brought to the country.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who laid flowers outside the palace and signed a book of condolences after greeting the new king, said the country was “united in grief and gratitude”.
In a televised memorial address – one of multiple eulogies by ministers – he said the late king’s “legacy lives on” and offered condolences to the royal family and Queen Sonja, who would have celebrated her 58th wedding anniversary with Harald on Saturday.
Støre was joined by ministers and a crowd of citizens grieving outside the palace (BBC)
Norway’s superstar footballer Erling Haaland thanked Harald for “everything you meant to Norway” in a post on Instagram, adding that it had been an honour to meet him earlier in the summer at the palace following the Fifa World Cup.
In the country’s capital, Norwegians shared their grief and affection for the late king.
“I personally will say he was everything for us, especially being an immigrant,” Biteya Terfassa, an Oslo resident who was born in Ethiopia, told news agency Reuters outside the palace.
“He made us feel at home and he made us feel loved. So he was like a grandfather that I never had.”
At noon, the Norwegian Armed Forces honoured Harald with a funeral salute of 21 shots from Akershus Fortress in central Oslo.
Later on Friday, a procession left the chapel at Rikshospitalet, where Harald died, taking his coffin in a hearse to the royal palace.
The date of Harald’s funeral is yet to be officially announced. Until then, he will be lying in state in the palace chapel so the public can pay their last respects.
During the national mourning period, flags will be flown at half-mast across the Nordic country, while Harald’s portrait will be displayed, candles lit and moments of silence held at professional events.
All non work-related social events will be cancelled or postponed. Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe, who was due to get married on Friday, even postponed her wedding,
King Haakon, who is Harald’s younger child, is now the monarch and his wife Mette-Marit queen.
He is due to take an oath before the Norwegian parliament on Tuesday and will later participate in a consecration service – a stripped-down version of a coronation, which Norway no longer has.
His daughter, the 22-year-old Ingrid Alexandra, who joined her father to meet ministers at the palace on Friday, is next in line to the throne as crown princess after the rules of succession changed in 1990 to allow firstborn women to inherit the crown.
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, second from right, stood by her father’s side (BBC)
Haakon assumes his new role at a difficult time, as the royal family has faced health challenges and scandals this year.
Now-Queen Mette-Marit came under scrutiny earlier this year when it was revealed that she had a three-year friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, for which she has publicly apologised.
Later in the year, she received a lung transplant, after suffering from pulmonary fibrosis since 2018. Doctors will not declare her stable until next year, meaning her husband must balance his new official duties with her care.
Meanwhile, Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted in June of rape and other offences and sentenced to four years in prison. He is appealing.
Høiby is not a member of the royal family, but was raised with them since he was four years old, when now-King Haakon married his mother.
Although Harald remained popular until his death, a poll for newspaper Aftenposten earlier this year found that support for the monarchy had dropped from 72% in 2024 to 54%.
However, Norwegian royal experts told the BBC that the new king, while facing questions about the turbulence surrounding his family, was respected, hard-working and, they believed, able to move forward despite the challenges.
(BBC)
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Pallawarayankaddu, Akkarayankulam, Ariviyal Nagar, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Ananthapuram at about 12.11 noon today (29)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (29) are Pallawarayankaddu, Akkarayankulam, Ariviyal Nagar, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Ananthapuram about 12.11 noon.
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