September 27, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to visit New Zealand. Image Credit - muha04 / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
US to introduce Public-Private Partnership mechanism
The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Atul Keshap, has expressed US support for Sri Lanka’s efforts in building Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Ambassador Keshap stated that the US will assist the the adoption of an innovative PPP model in Sri Lanka.
The PPP model is expected to attract FDI, primarily for economic infrastructure development. The Minister of Finance, Ravi Karunanayake, stated that the efficiency and transparency of PPPs make them the most suitable mechanism for infrastructure development.
Indian Commerce Minister visits Sri Lanka
The Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Nirmala Sitharaman has arrived in Sri Lanka, for a three day visit.
Minister Sitharaman is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, Malik Samarawickrama. Minister Sitharaman is expected to discuss the proposed Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement and power and energy agreements with Sri Lankan officials.
Prime Minister to visit New Zealand
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will travel to New Zealand from 1-3 October. He will be the first Sri Lankan leader to visit New Zealand in an official capacity. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, stated that his previous visit to Sri Lanka in February revealed new opportunities to support Sri Lanka’s post-conflict development.
While in New Zealand, the Prime Minister and his delegation will engage in discussions related to agriculture, education, urban development trade, and tourism.
Colombia signs historic peace pact to end long-standing conflict
The President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), have signed a peace deal to end the longest conflict in Latin-America which lasted for 52 years. A referendum will be held on 2 October to ratify the peace deal.
FARC is expected to hand their weapons over to the UN in the coming months, and the government of Colombia will begin the process of transitional justice.
EU launches financial programme to support refugees in Turkey
The EU has launched a USD 392 million programme called Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) to distribute cash grants to one million refugees in Turkey in the form of pre-paid debit cards. Every month the cards will be automatically topped up with USD 33.50 to cover daily expenses or to be withdrawn from ATMs in Turkey.
The World Food Programme and the Turkish Red Crescent, in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Family and Social Policy, and the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency will implement this programme.
India suspends meetings of Indus Water Commission with Pakistan
In response to the attacks in Uri, Prime Minister Modi announced that India will suspend the meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission which are crucial to the implementation of the Indus Water Treaty.
The Indian government alleged that the attack in Uri was perpetrated by Pakistani terror groups in the Indian administered area of Jammu and Kashmir on 18 September.
Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, EU, US, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, Turkey, New Zealand, Colombia
24 Horton Place
Colombo 7
Sri Lanka
A think tank engaging in independent research of Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests, to provide insights and recommendations that advance justice, peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
