News & Media

DAILY BRIEF: THURSDAY, 7TH APRIL 2016

April 7, 2016    Reading Time: 2 minutes

Get the latest news roundup here:

OSCE Minsk group and Russia increase diplomatic role in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Image credit - news.lk

Reading Time: 2 min read

LOCAL NEWS

Prime Minister arrives in China

The Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has arrived in China on a four day official visit. Hon. Wickremesinghe was invited by his Chinese counterpart, Li Keqiang.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of The National People’s Congress, Zhang Dejiang.

Sri Lankan business delegation visits Pakistan

A delegation from the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council is visiting Pakistan to explore trade and investment opportunities and the possibility of a MOU.

The two countries hope to increase bilateral trade, which currently lies at USD 350 million, to USD 1 billion by expanding areas of trade and investment.

New shipping lines to Colombo

Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd.(CICT), the only deep water terminal within the Port of Colombo, has secured a contract with Taiwan based Interasia Lines Ltd. to begin servicing the South Asia market by transhipping cargo, via the port of Colombo.

This new service is expected to contribute towards CICT’s objective to make the Colombo port a major common-user transshipment hub.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Dutch reject association agreement with Ukraine

In a non-binding referendum held yesterday, 61% of the Dutch public voted against a trade and association agreement with Ukraine.

According to the Prime minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, this could result in the Dutch government having to reassess the ratification of the agreement.

OSCE Minsk group and Russia increase diplomatic role in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Officials from the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe have met with the President of Azerbaijan, in the wake of the fragile ceasefire. They are also scheduled to meet officials from Armenia over the weekend.

The Russian Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, is also expected to visit the region today. This visit comes amidst Russia’s attempts to increase its diplomatic role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

New role for Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar’s Parliament has established a new position of State Councilor for Ms.  Aung San Suu Kyi.

This position grants Ms Suu Kyi the power to contact ministries, departments, organizations, associations and individuals in an official capacity, while at the same time making her accountable to the parliament.

Untitled Document