News
Discussions with China underway to resolve economic crisis
USD 2.5 bn funding:
Amb Zhenhong silent on IMF intervention
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The cash-strapped Sri Lankan government is negotiating with China for funds amounting to USD 2.5 bn in addition to USD 2.8 bn obtained since the global epidemic Covid-19 eruption in early 2020.
Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong disclosed Sri Lanka’s request at the onset of a media briefing held at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo yesterday (21).
The disclosure was made close on the heels of the finalisation of USD 1 bn loan facility provided by India and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s declaration of his readiness to seek IMF assistance. Amb. Zhenhong declined to comment on Sri Lanka’s decision to resume negotiations with the IMF.
Sri Lanka announced plans for talks with the IMF in the wake of an increase in prices of all essential items and services following the floating of the Rupee in the first week of March.
Amb. Zhenhong said that China recently received requests for USD 1 billion financing facility and USD 1.5 bn buyer’s credit. The Chinese envoy declared: “We understand the urgency in Sri Lanka’s need. Relevant authorities are studying the request.”
In spite of repeated questions, Amb Zhenhong refrained from going into details, including Sri Lanka’s specific needs while reiterating their commitment to help a friendly country.
Zhenhong presented his credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in mid Nov 2020 at the height of the first Covid-19 wave.
At the commencement of the briefing attended by local and Colombo based international media, Amb. Zhenhong said a range of events and activities conducted so far this year to mark 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice pact.
Responding to a query raised by Reuters, Amb Zhenhong said that USD 1 bn term financing facility had been provided on March 18, 2020 and April 12, 2020 (USD 500 mn each) with maturity period of 10 years. That was followed by CNY 2 bn (approximately USD 300 mn) term financing facility provided on Aug. 17, 2021, Amb Zhenhong said, adding CNY 10 bn (approximately USD1.5 bn) bilateral currency SWAP agreement was finalized in March 2021.
The Chinese envoy sidestepped a specific query on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s request to restructure debt repayments to overcome the financial crisis.
President Rajapaksa made the request during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in early January this year.
New requests for USD 2.5 bn (USD 1 bn financing facility and USD 1.5 bn buyer’s credit) are believed to have been made following the Chinese Foreign Minister’s high profile visit.
Asked whether India has overtaken China in providing assistance and investments here, Amb Zhenhong listed Chinese loans and investments while asserting consistency, scale and comprehensiveness in their role. The Chinese envoy didn’t respond to the query on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa being too close to India and pursuing an agenda at the expense of Beijing.
Amb Zhenhong dismissed assertions that the failure on the part of the Colombo Port City to attract investments and concerns over proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between China and Sri Lanka. Amb Zhenhong assured: “We’ll never take advantage of FTA with Sri Lanka.” The Chinese envoy said so when the media queried the absence of a draft of FTA and serious concerns over its content against the backdrop of the previous Sri Lanka administration finalizing FTA with Singapore under controversial circumstances.
Amb Zhenhong said that the experts of both sides could handle the issues at hand.
Amb Zhenhong said that in spite of Covid-19 eruption China sustained its projects here with over 11,000 locals hired. Referring to major Chinese projects underway here namely Colombo Port City, Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) and Hambantota International Port (HIP), Amb Zhenhong emphasized their ventures were on track.
The envoy questioned the unexplained suspension of ADB funded power projects in the North while declining to respond to questions regarding the status of them. The Chinese envoy advised that such an attitude on Sri Lanka’s part would be inimical to ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment.
The Chinese envoy avoided responding to queries regarding growing Indian presence in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka and instances of India objecting to Chinese taking up projects. However, Amb Zhenhong explained the projects undertaken by China in Tamil dominated region, investments and grants made in support of the civilian community there.
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
