One of China’s frontline companies operating in Sri Lanka, the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), is claiming US$ 39.6 million as “cost variation and price escalation” for building the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. The awarded contract value of the project was US$ 209 million of which the Exim Bank of China provided US$ 190 million as a “concessionary loan.” The variations claimed have been reviewed by an independent committee.
The External Resources Division earlier tried to get the Exim Bank of China to provide a loan for the variations costs but this was turned down.
Now, the Government has obtained proposals from five different banks operating in Sri Lanka – the National Savings Bank, the National Development Bank, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the People’s Bank and the Bank of Ceylon. A Government official said a decision on the bank or banks is now being made.
A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
A passenger attempting to smuggle the largest quantity of gold of 35 kilo grams was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today, a senior official said.
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