Business

‘India committed to SL’s peace, prosperity and security’

Published

3 years ago

2020/07/25

India and Sri Lanka recently conducted constructive and cordial discussions on rescheduling bilateral debt repayments by Sri Lanka. It is of note that during a recent discussion High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay had with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the former re-iterated ‘India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Sri Lanka for peace, prosperity and security of the two peoples, an Indian High Commission press release said.

The release:

‘On 22 July 2020, India and Sri Lanka held a technical discussion on rescheduling of bilateral debt repayment by Sri Lanka. The Indian delegation comprising of senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and the EXIM Bank interacted with representatives from the Department of External Resources of Sri Lanka through a video conference. The constructive discussion between both sides took place in a cordial and positive atmosphere.

‘It may be recalled that both sides had discussed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its likely health and economic impacts in the region during Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s telephone conversations with the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 23 May 2020 and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa on 27 May 2020. During these conversations, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had assured that India would continue to provide all possible support to Sri Lanka for mitigating the effects of the pandemic.

‘During the courtesy call on the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the High Commissioner of India, H.E. Gopal Baglay on 29 May 2020, it was agreed to accelerate India’s participation in Sri Lanka’s post COVID economic recovery. High Commissioner Gopal Baglay also reiterated India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with Sri Lanka for peace, prosperity and security of the two peoples during his conversation with the President of Sri Lanka.

‘Building on the mutual priorities identified during the telephone conversations between the leaders of India and Sri Lanka in May 2020 and High Commissioner’s courtesy call on the President of Sri Lanka, the High Commission of India engaged with the Government of Sri Lanka to facilitate the initiation of discussions between the two sides on this matter. The next round of technical discussions between the two sides on rescheduling of debt repayment is expected to be held soon.

‘The High Commission of India will continue to work towards coordinating and facilitating such engagement as a part of India’s overall commitment to work with Sri Lanka to counter and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.’

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Business

Oil prices rise as Saudi Arabia pledges output cuts – Opec+

Published

16 hours ago

2023/06/5

Priyan

(picture BBC)

Oil-producing countries have agreed to continued cuts in production in a bid to shore up flagging prices.

Saudi Arabia said it would make cuts of a million barrels per day (bpd) in July and Opec+ said targets would drop by a further 1.4 million bpd from 2024.

Opec+ accounts for around 40% of the world’s crude oil and its decisions can have a major impact on oil prices.

In Asia trade on Monday, Brent crude oil rose by as much as 2.4% before settling at around $77 a barrel.

The seven hour-long meeting on Sunday of the oil-rich nations, led by Russia, came against a backdrop of falling energy prices.

Total production cuts, which Opec+ has undertaken since October 2022, reached 3.66 million bpd, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Opec+, a formulation which refers to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, had already agreed to cut production by two million bpd, about 2% of global demand.

(BBC)

Business

Manpower services agency wins accolades for its contribution to foreign employment sector

Published

20 hours ago

2023/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Siraj Cafoor, Managing Director of Siraj Manpower Services receives the award

Its MD says. ‘go abroad only if you can work hard’

Siraj Manpower Services, one of Sri Lanka’s leading foreign employment agencies, was honoured with the Three-Star Award at the ‘Golden Awards’ 2023, organised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). This award ceremony was organised to honour foreign employment agencies that have made a significant contribution to the development of the foreign employment sector, which is a major source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. Siraj Cafoor, Managing Director of Siraj Manpower Services, was presented with the award at the award ceremony which was held at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Employment and Labour Manusha Nanayakkara.

Having been established in 2002, Siraj Manpower Services (www.sirajmanpower.lk) has earned a reputation in the field of foreign employment by winning the trust of customers for more than 20 years. It has been offering job opportunities in the Middle East countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia as housekeepers, drivers, sanitation workers, labourers and also jobs related to the apparel industry. All these workers are entitled to approved salary scales certified by the SLBFE.

“We always stand for the safety of workers who go abroad through our organisation. We work to solve the problems that arise in relation to the contracts that the workers have entered into. I must mention something special to those who go abroad for employment. That is, you should keep in mind that you go abroad only to work. Go abroad only if you can work hard. You have to remember that you are going abroad to earn some more money and achieve the advancement of your family.” said Siraj Cafoor.

Business

Direct flights between Istanbul and Katunayake to commence from August

Published

20 hours ago

2023/06/5

Thilina Walpola

A special discussion between Turkish Ambassador – Demet Sekercioglu and Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation – Nimal Siripala de Silva took place last week at the ministry office. The aim of the discussion was to seek authorization to commence direct flights from the Turkish Capital Istanbul to Katunayake, Sri Lanka. The Chief of Turkish Airlines’ South Asia Office Fathi Bozkurt was also present during the discussion.

Currently, Turkish Airlines connects with Sri Lanka through a route that includes a stopover in the Maldives, resulting in an additional travel time of one and a half hours. The delay caused by this routing is not favored by travelers, as emphasized by the Ambassador.

The Chief of Turkish Airlines requested for time and space to be allocated in order to initiate direct flights between Istanbul and Katunaike, thus providing convenience for Turkish tourists and travelers who prefer visit Sri Lanka.

The Minister announced that the request would be forwarded to the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited. The aim is to establish direct flights between Istanbul and Katunayake starting from August this year.

Turkish Airlines, a renowned airline with a fleet of over 100 aircraft, offers flights connecting Europe’s Vancouver and New York. The Chief of Turkish Airlines said that the new service would not only benefit European travelers but also encourage them to travel to Sri Lanka.