News
13 A, ECT: India steps up pressure
Deputy HC in powwow with Karuna, Pilleyan and Hakeem
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Amidst a simmering dispute over the cancellation of an agreement on the Colombo port’s East Container Terminal (ECT) with India, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has discussed the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution with two former LTTE leaders from the Eastern Province, namely Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan aka Karuna Amman and lawmaker Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan aka Pilleyan.
Chandrakanthan, recently released by the Batticaloa High Court after being remanded for five years over the 2005 killing of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham entered parliament on the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP). Pilleyan supports the ruling SLPP administration.
Karuna made an abortive bid at the last parliamentary election to enter parliament from Digamadulla district. Subsequently, Karuna received an appointment as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaaksa’s coordinator for Ampara and Batticaloa districts.
Political sources said that the timing of the meetings was significant. In spite of the Cabinet deciding to do away with the 2019 Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC), India keeps pressing Sri Lanka to abide by the 2019 Memorandum of Cooperation on the ECT.
The Indian High Commission confirmed the separate meetings the Deputy Indian High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob had with delegations from the Eastern Province led respectively by Pilleyan and Karuna Amman. Jacob has reiterated the commitment of India to a long term development partnership with Sri Lanka.
The IHC stated that Jacob and Pilleyan had also discussed the full implementation of the 13th Amendment as well as Provincial Councils.
The IHC quoted Karuna as having emphasised in particular, the prospects for future development cooperation especially in the areas of livelihood opportunities for war widows, handicapped persons as well as engagement in the education sector including scholarships. Deputy High Commissioner reiterated the position of the government of India that meaningful devolution is the way forward for achieving the aspirations of the Tamil people through full implementation of the 13th amendment and Provincial Council.
Meanwhile, Jacob discussed current developments with SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem. The IHC stated: Hakeem positively evaluated India’s gesture of early supply of Covid vaccines to Sri Lanka. Both sides also discussed matters pertaining to economic, financial and development cooperation opportunities.
Hakeem shared his assessment about the challenges facing the Muslim community in recent times. Hakeem also briefed about the issues involved in the forthcoming UNHRC session beginning later this month. Deputy High Commissioner Jacob recalled the conversations between the Indian and Sri Lankan leadership since November 2019. During the Virtual Bilateral Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in September 2020, the latter had expressed the confidence that Sri Lanka would work towards realizing the expectations of all ethnic groups. Deputy High Commissioner reiterated India’s long standing and principled position on meaningful devolution through full implementation of 13th Amendment.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
PM pays condolence to pope Francis at the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo
President conducts an inspection tour of Kandy city
Sri Lankan delegation meets with US Trade Representative
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