News
USD 441.42 mn funding: Indian team here to inspect projects
Sri Lanka has received USD 441.42 mn from Exim Bank of India to carry out four projects. Of them, two projects have been completed. A three-member team from the Exim Bank of India visited Sri Lanka recently to review the progress of Polgahawela and Aluthgama Integrated water supply projects, being implemented under the Buyer’s Credit facilities under the National Export Insurance Account (BC-NEIA) Programme. The team, which included Shilpa Waghmare, General Manager; Mitali Pendharkar, Assistant General Manager and Ranjan Roy, Chief Manager, paid a courtesy call on the High Commissioner of India, Shri Gopal Baglay on December 9, 2021 and briefed him about the progress of the projects and their visit.
The following is the text of the statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo: “Exim Bank of India has extended Buyer’s Credit of USD 441.42 million, to support 4 (four) projects in Sri Lanka, of which 2 (two) projects have already been completed. For the 2 (two) ongoing Integrated water supply projects at Polgahawela and Aluthgama, a support of USD 91.80 mn and USD 164.90 mn respectively, has been provided to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Sri Lanka (NWSDB). The project at Polgahawela is being executed by VA Tech Wabag Ltd and the project at Aluthgama by Ion Exchange (India) Ltd. Both the projects have achieved almost 90% physical progress.
“During the visit, the Exim team visited project sites at Aluthgama and Polgahawela to assess the progress of projects and interacted with the Contractors. The Exim Bank team held meetings with senior officials of Department of External Resources, Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka and NWSDB in Colombo, to inter alia, review and discuss way forward for early completion of the 2 projects. They also discussed projects which could be taken up under the BC-NEIA Programme in the future.
“The water supply projects in Sri Lanka are community-centric priority projects. A project for supply, erection and commissioning of a water treatment plant and distribution to 9 reservoirs across Dambulla region has already been successfully executed by VA Tech Wabag Ltd under Buyer’s Credit.
“It may be noted that the BC-NEIA is a concessional loan facility extended by India Exim Bank to sovereign governments and their nominated government-owned entities (parastatal agencies) for execution of projects in certain sectors. Presently, 91 countries are in the positive list under the BC-NEIA Programme.”
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi arrived in the island a short while ago on a three-day state visit.
The Indian Prime Minister was received at the Katunayake International Airport by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath.
PM Modi is accompanied by Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian Foreign Secretary and several senior officials of the Government of India.
The General Manager of Railways has announced that the following special train services will operate during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.
1. From Colombo Fort to Badulla – departing Colombo Fort at 1930 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
2. From Badulla to Colombo Fort – departing Badulla at 1750 hrs on 11th, 12th, 19th and 20th April
3. From Galle to Anuradhapura – departing Galle at 0400 hrs on 12th and 13th April
4. From Anuradhapura to Galle – departing Anuradhapura at 1500 hrs on 12th and 13th April
5. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 120 hrs on 10th, 11th, 15th and 20th April
6. From Galle to Colombo Fort – departing Galle at 0610 hrs on 11th, 12th, 16th and 21st April
7. From Colombo Fort to Galle – departing Colombo Fort at 1330 hrs on 12th and 13th April
8. From Colombo Fort to Kankasanthurai [Intercity Express] – departing Colombo Fort at 0530 hrs on 11th and 18th April
9. From Kankasanthurai to Colombo Fort [Intercity Express] – departing Kankasanthurai at 1350 hrs on 11th and 18th April
10. From Beliatta to Colombo Fort – departing Beliatta at 0825 hrs on 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th and 20th April
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited Hamburg, Germany, focusing on strengthening vocational education and economic partnerships between the two nations. During her visit, she participated in the 102nd East Asia Friendship Dinner, met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and engaged in high-level discussions on investment, education, and economic reforms.
As a Guest of Honour at the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV) annual gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya addressed an audience of business leaders and dignitaries, emphasizing Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its potential as a growing investment destination. She highlighted the contributions of over 160 German companies in Sri Lanka and invited further collaboration in trade and business.
In her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, the Prime Minister delivered a keynote speech at the ’German-Asian Forum on Vocational Education & Training.’ She acknowledged Germany’s decades-long support in Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector and stressed the importance of modernizing vocational training to align with industry demands. Additionally, she visited ITECH vocational school and German research hubs such as NXP Semiconductors and DESY, discussing collaboration in IT and technology-driven industries.
During her discussions with President Steinmeier, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to economic stability, social protection, and national unity. She also attended a business roundtable, where she engaged with German companies and government representatives on economic expansion, digitalization, and sustainable development initiatives.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany, Varuni Muthukumarana, and senior embassy officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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