News
China dismisses Wijeyadasa’s concerns and pushes for FTA
Chinese investment in Sri Lanka
‘Jaffna is not situated south of any country … there is no hidden agenda’
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chinese Ambassador to Colombo Qi Zhenhong said yesterday Beijing wanted to have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka and emphasised the pivotal importance of concluding the FTA soon.
The Ambassador discussed the issue at a meeting with a selected group of journalists at the Galle Face Hotel yesterday (9) evening. The Chinese Ambassador addressed the print media soon after the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi left the country after meeting the top Sri Lankan political leadership.
Responding to media queries, the top Chinese envoy assured that China wouldn’t take advantage of Sri Lanka under any circumstances. The Ambassador described the bilateral relationship between the two countries as a strategic partnership.
The Chinese push for FTA gathers momentum in the wake of controversial agreements the incumbent dispensation had finalised with US-based investor now challenged in the Supreme Court, as well as fundamental rights plea against the recently inked agreements on the Trincomalee oil tank farm.
The Chinese Ambassador explained the short and long term measures jointly taken by China and Sri Lanka to address the growing financial crises experienced by Sri Lanka. Reference was made to the recent currency swap worth Yuan10 bn (approximately USD 1.5 bn).
The Ambassador did not answer repeated specific questions whether China would consider restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt.
Acknowledging the crises including debt servicing experienced by Sri Lanka, the ambassador asserted that the country would overcome the daunting challenges. Claiming that Sri Lanka had faced far bigger challenges in the past, the envoy described the current situation as temporary.
The Ambassador underscored how the FTA could help Sri Lanka in the long run. The Chinese diplomat dismissed assertions that the proposed FTA would be disadvantageous to Sri Lanka and that Beijing sought the instrument at the expense of the smaller economy.
Ambassador alleged that some countries had taken advantage of Sri Lanka by way of FTAs. The Ambassador stressed the need to finalize the FTA without further delay. When asked to explain the delay, the Chinese Ambassador suggested that the media should raise the issue with the Sri Lankan side.
There have been six rounds of talks between the two sides.
Declaring the Chinese were flexible on the matter, the Ambassador said they were prepared to discuss Sri Lanka’s concerns.
The Island raised several matters of concern, including the controversy over the allegedly contaminated carbonic fertiliser consignment and ruling party lawmaker Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, accusing China of taking advantage of an utterly corrupt system here to its advantage. Asked whether China has taken up the former Justice Minister’s allegations with the government, the Ambassador said such statements were normal as the country was open to different opinions. The Ambassador said that there was no basis for such accusations. He pointed out that the current status of bilateral relations proved such criticism couldn’t be taken seriously. The Ambassador said that there was no basis for such accusations. He pointed out that the current status of bilateral relations proved such criticism couldn’t be taken seriously.
Recently, MP Rajapakse in a letter to the Chinese President, questioned the integrity of Chinese endeavours. One-time President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka vowed that a future government would take over Chinese investments in Selendiva.
He described the Colombo Port City project on glowing terms on the basis of investments already received, forthcoming investments and the parliamentary approval received by the Colombo Port City Commission. Reference was made to the huge parliamentary majority received for the Bill with the Ambassador comparing the parliamentary approval with that of public support.
The Ambassador also commented on his recent visit to the Jaffna peninsula as well as the power projects based on Jaffna islands. Having explained his Jaffna visit being delayed due to the situation caused by Covid-19, the Ambassador emphasized Jaffna was the northernmost part of Sri Lanka and not positioned south of any other country. He said that China was keen to see how it could help Northern Sri Lanka after the successful conclusion of three decades long war over a decade ago.
China provided much required firepower and training at a time many countries balked at backing Sri Lanka’s war against separatist terrorism.
Beijing’s Ambassador denied having a hidden agenda. He warned cancellation of Northern Power projects could be of serious detriment to Sri Lanka as the Chinese private sector secured the ADB funded project through an international bidding process. He denied embassy involvement in the power projects.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
