News
Iranian Central Bank Governor takes up outstanding payments with Gammanpila

New Lankan Ambassador in Tehran
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Sri Lanka owes Iran USD 251 mn for crude oil purchased way back during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency. In spite of talks between the two countries over the years, they haven’t been able to settle the issue over the outstanding debt.
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila confirmed outstanding payment when The Island raised the issue with him on his return from Iran following a four-day visit, commencing Sept. 24.
Asked whether Iran wants interest on the delayed payment, Minister Gammanpila said that was not so.
Minister Gammanpila led a delegation to Iran at the invitation of the Minister of Petroleum of Iran Dr. Javad Owji. The delegation held talks with Iranian officials, including the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Dr. Akbar Komijani.
The Foreign Ministry said that Minister Gammanpila discussed modalities to establish a mechanism for the settlement of outstanding payments with Dr. Akbar Komijani. The Sri Lankan delegation also met Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy of Iran Mahdi Safari.
During the meeting, the two sides underscored the importance of convening the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) between the two countries at a mutually convenient date.
Minister Gammanpila also discussed ways and means of boosting relations in the fields of trade, investment, energy and tourism between Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan with the latter’s Teheran-based Ambassador Gurbanov Ahmet Kakabayevich.
The Iranian Petroleum Ministry arranged site visits to the Tehran Oil Refinery and Gas Station Museum. The newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador in Teheran G.M.V. Wishwanath Aponsu joined the delegation in discussions with Iranian officials. The delegation included Energy Secretary K.D.R. Olga and Deputy General Manager of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Mahendra Gurusinghe.
Wishwanath Aponsu presented the Letters of Credence to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi at the Sadabad Complex, Office of the President, in Tehran on 26 September 2021 during Minister Gammanpila’s visit.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry quoted the Iranian President as having appreciated the longstanding and historical ties with Sri Lanka and their readiness to activate all capacities for development of relations between the two countries. While appreciating a close cooperation and mutual support at multilateral fora, he underscored the importance of the JCEC between Sri Lanka and Iran for promoting bilateral relations.
Ambassador Aponsu has reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthen existing bilateral engagement with Iran into a multifaceted and results-oriented partnership. He further placed particular emphasis on the trade in agriculture products, energy, culture and tourism, as areas that could be explored and enhanced for developing the level of bilateral relations.
The President also stated that there is potential for the development of trade relations and transfer of experience, especially in the technical and engineering fields between the two countries. In response, the Ambassador expressed that all proposals and outstanding matters could be discussed at the next JCEC meeting between the two countries.
Prior to the current assignment, Ambassador Wishwanath Aponsu served as first Director General of Overseas Sri Lankan Division and Director General of Consular Affairs at the Foreign Ministry in Colombo.
He is a career diplomat (Sri Lanka Foreign Service-Grade I) with 19 years of service, having served as High Commissioner (Actg.) at the Sri Lanka’s Mission in Singapore and held positions at the Missions in India, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.
News
Voter apathy grows as never before: PAFFREL

Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
News
Many foreign diplomats witness sacred relic exposition on first day

A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
News
Ahungalla shooting ordered from Dubai for failure to carry out contract killing

Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
By Hemantha Randunu
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