October 20, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
China contributes to facilities at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Image Credit - saman527 / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
UNDP announces USD 38.1 million funding for Sri Lanka
The Resident Coordinator of the UN in Sri Lanka and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Una McCauley, has announced that USD 38.1 million has been approved for Sri Lanka’s Climate Resilient Integrated Water Management Project.
The funds were approved under the Green Climate Fund. The project, prepared by the Ministry of Mahaweli Environment and Development with the assistance of the UNDP, will aim to achieve higher levels of food, livelihood, and water security for communities in the dry zones of Sri Lanka.
Japan and Sri Lanka inaugurate Maha Oya Water Treatment Plant
The Maha Oya Water Treatment Plant, funded by Japan, has been handed over to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board on 19 October. The handover took place under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Kenichi Suganuma.
This initiative aims to provide clean water to approximately 210,000 people in the Ampara District.
China donates facility to Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
China has donated a sanitation facility to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. The Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, Yi Xianliang, stated that Buddhist cultural exchanges between the two countries have existed since Faxian, a Chinese Buddhist monk, traveled to Sri Lanka seeking Buddhist scripts.
The facility, built by the China Hunan Construction Engineering Group, will improve the existing infrastructure for pilgrims and tourists at Kandy’s most prominent site.
Germany and France consider imposing sanctions on Russia
President François Hollande and Chancellor Angela Merkel have stated that Russia will not be excluded from possible sanctions, following Russia’s involvement in the conflict in Aleppo, Syria.
The statements were made before a meeting of the European Council held in Brussels from 20-21 October, during which the situation in Syria is expected to be discussed.
ICC rule on witness and evidence corruption
Former Vice President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba, and four members of his legal team, were convicted for influencing witnesses and falsifying evidence by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 19 October. This is the first time the ICC has convicted suspects of such a charge.
Mr. Bemba was previously convicted for commanding a militia that committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. This conviction recognized rape as a weapon of war and exercised the doctrine of command responsibility.
US and South Korea hold high-level dialogue on North Korea
High-level US and South Korean diplomats and defence officials have met to discuss a response to the growing nuclear and missile threat posed by North Korea.
The discussions held at the US State Department on 19 October included ways of strengthening the ‘extended deterrence’ provided by US nuclear forces. North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and fired 23 ballistic missiles this year.
Tags: China, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Germany, UNDP, International Criminal Court, South Korea, US, Russia, Japan, Sri Lanka
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