News
Norwegian Shipowners’ Assoc. evinces interest in entering into agreement with Sri Lanka
“Ambassador, Godfrey Cooray (left) with Harald Solberg (Pic courtesy Sri Lanka embassy in Oslo)
Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Shipowners’ Association Harald Solberg has expressed interest in entering into an agreement with Sri Lanka in the area of ship crew operations. Norway already has agreements with Asian countries, including the Philippines in the field, the Sri Lankan embassy in Oslo said in a statement issued recently.
The following is the text of statement issued by the Lankan embassy in Norway: “Ambassador, Godfrey Cooray had a meeting with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association on the 10.08.2020. The Second Secretary Ms. Samanmali Atalugama and Business Development Officer Ms. Rosie Jones attended the meeting. This meeting was held at the Chamber of the Shipowners Association.
Harald Solberg, Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Helene Tofte, Director, International Cooperation and Climate have represented the Norwegian Ship Owners’ Association.
Harald Solberg had given a brief introduction on the Ship Owners’ Association and stated that it is a trade and employment organization for Norwegian controlled companies within the shipping and offshore industry established in 1909. The primary fields are national and international industry policies, employer issues, competence and recruitment, environmental issues and innovation in addition to safety at sea.
Cooray has highlighted that Sri Lanka has a huge potential on the Ship and Boat Industry. Further he conveyed that there are many people and Private sector companies who can afford maintaining Ships in Sri Lanka as “ABC Shipping, Ceyline Group, COSCO Shipping Line Lanka, Sri Lanka Shipping Company, Sea Horse Shipping, etc.
Ambassador also stated that the trade is the engine of economic growth for any country. Therefore, countries around the world strive to improve cross border efficiencies and enable international trade to happen immaculately. The Government of Sri Lanka identified the need to reform its trade policies and practices to support a business-friendly environment, promote private sector growth and use the strategic position of Sri Lanka with the new concept of “Saubhagye Dakma” of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Cooray had emphasized the potential of Sri Lankan Shipping companies to involve in crew operations, supplying fuel, and other logistics during trans shipments.
He also stated that Sri Lanka encourages the international maritime organizations to get the advantage of the strategic location of international airports. Further, Sri Lanka was able to come to the aid of the international shipping community by being a safe location for facilitating the change of ships’ crew, which is critical for the safe operation of ships.
Harald Solberg expressed the interest of entering into an agreement in the area of crew operations of ships. Norway already has agreements with Asian countries as Philippines in this field.
Further Solberg explained that Norwegian shipowners, offshore enterprises and supplier companies are well positioned to take a larger role in the renewables market, including offshore wind and Battery Power.”
In line with the forthcoming 75th Army Anniversary (10 October) a solemn ceremony was held on 7th October 2024 at the Battaramulla War Heroes’ Monument (Ranaviru Smarakaya) to pay tribute to the heroic sacrifices of the nation’s fallen War Heroes.
The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, presided over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, lending a significant sense of respect and prominence to the occasion. The event commenced with singing the National Anthem, followed by a two-minute silence observed in honour of the nation’s fallen patriots.
Thereafter, the Chief Guest, accompanied by several Senior Officers and Colonels of all regiments of the Sri Lanka Army laid floral wreaths and saluted paying a solemn tribute to the fallen War Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sovereignty of the nation.
Former MPs not entitled to police protection
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There are laws and regualations stipulating the level of security to be provided to Presidents, former Presidents, Ministers, and MPs, but in the past they were given more security, Cabinet spokesman, Minister Vijitha Herath has said.
“According to the law, a person is not entitled to police protection after ceasing to be an MP. But previous governments allowed former MPs to retain their security in violation of laws and regulations,” Minister Herath said yesterday.
“In the future, intelligence services will conduct a threat assessment, and special security will be provided only to those facing security threats, Minister Herath said, stressing that elected representatives should be treated equally.
“The Ministry of Defence has also requested VIPs to return the weapons and ammunition issued to them. This does not mean the Ministry will retain these weapons indefinitely; they will be returned after a thorough assessment of threats and proper documentation,” he added .
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka had authorised a Chinese military training vessel to arrive, Cabinet Spokesman, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday.
Herath said the Chinese vessel was no threat to anyone’s national security and Indian, German and US warships had docked in Sri Lankan ports.
Asked by a journalist whether there would be a change in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, Herath said that the NPP treated every country equally.
“We will not treat anyone more favourably than others. This is the basis of the non-aligned policy,” he said, noting that they had no problem with any country supporting Sri Lanka in a way that does not harm the country’s national interests.
Herath said that a senior US military official would visit Sri Lanka on Thursday (10) and the US was to present a naval vessel to the Sri Lanka Navy.
“National interest is our priority and based on that we will engage with everyone,” he said.
Herath added that they had prepared a list of relatives, and associates of politicians who had been appointed to various Sri Lankan missions. The list would be published soon, he said.
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