News

Lanka’s top envoy in Japan confident of early resumption of Japanese funding

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/31

Thilina Walpola

Ambassador in Tokyo Rodney Perera

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Tokyo Rodney Perera has said that in the wake of the IMF finalizing the latest loan facility, the country received an assurance from Japan that infrastructure development projects here would be provided Japanese funding.Rodney Perera quoted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as having declared that such projects were a Japanese priority.

The retired career diplomat who previously served as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Washington presented his credentials to Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on 19 January 2023.Perera succeeded the US-based Sanjiv Gunasekara, a close associate of ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Gunasekara gave up the ambassadorial post just a few weeks after SLPP goon attack on protesters on May 09, 2022 and counter violence led to the resignation of Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Making a special statement to Sri Lankan media, Ambassador Perera essentially dealt with five issues at hand namely explicit pledge received from the government of Japan regarding funding for infrastructure projects, ongoing talks with the Japanese leadership to regain required funding, making an environment conducive for resumption of Japanese funding, pivotal importance of the IMF releasing the funds in terms of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the measures taken by the Finance Ministry as well as the Central Bank to guarantee the implementation of the agreed programme.

The IMF provides EFF to those economies facing serious medium-term balance of payments problems caused by the failure on the part of the recipients to address structural weaknesses.Ambassador Perera expressed confidence that the ongoing talks with Japan could be brought to a successful conclusion soon. Japan, a member of ‘Quad’ consisting of the US, Australia and India in Oct 2015 entered into a Comprehensive Partnership with Sri Lanka. Since then, there was an increase in Japanese warships visiting the country.

Abrupt cancellation of a Japanese funded light rail project for Colombo meant to ease congestion in the City in Sept. 2020 caused irreparable damage to relations between the two countries.No person less than Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as Prime Minister, in the second week of June last year called for a parliamentary probe into the cancellation of Japanese projects.

Former Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP and their mayoral candidate for Colombo Mujibur Rahuman said that unfortunately, the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa hadn’t initiated an inquiry yet.Rahuman said that though Wickremesinghe alleged in parliament that the unjustifiable SLPP government action deprived the country of much needed foreign investment, he hadn’t taken action in that regard.

The Prime Minister’s Office quoted the UNP leader as having told Parliament: “Japan is our longtime friend, a nation that has helped our country greatly. But they are now unhappy with us due to the unfortunate events of the past. Our country had failed to formally notify Japan of the suspension of certain projects. Sometimes the reasons for these suspensions were not even stated.”

Premier Wickremesinghe asked the COPF (Committee on Public Finance) to investigate cancellation of the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) projects, undertaken by India and Japan. The Premier has alleged that the CEB halted both projects at least giving justifiable reasons.

Then COPF Chairman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa told The Island that Wickremesinghe’s allegation pertaining to putting on hold, projects funded by Japan, to the tune of USD 3 bn, by 2019, was quite serious.

Legal sources said that cancellation of several high profile foreign funded projects, including the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project had been cited in a fundamental rights petition, filed against the former Finance Ministers, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa and Ali Sabry, other members of the Cabinet, the Monetary Board of the CBSL, former Governors of the CBSL, Prof. W.D. Lakshman and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, former Finance Secretary S.R. Attygalle, Monetary Board member S.S.W. Kumarasinghe, former Presidential Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and three Commissioners of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The petition, filed by Dr. Athulasiri Kumara Samarakoon of the Open University of Sri Lanka, Soosaiappu Neavis Morais and Dr. Mahim Mendis, in terms of Articles 17 and 126 of the Constitution, alleged that after the last presidential election several projects, that had been finalized and would have generated substantial revenue in foreign exchange, were stopped. The petition named the cancelled projects as the Light Rail Project, East Container Terminal (ECT) involving India, and Japan, the Central Highway Phase 3 and 4 with Japan and India, and the MCC Agreement with the US.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

Latest News

Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.