Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged aid to Sri Lanka on Tuesday in a meeting with his counterpart, Ranil Wickremsinghe, and reiterated a promise to help Sri Lanka bolster its maritime security and to provide patrol ships. Sri Lanka is moving away from the former government's pro-China stance and has suspended most Chinese-backed infrastructure projects. It is also trying to put more emphasis on ties with Japan, which dovetails with Abe's hope to counter a rising China. Sri Lankan government officials said in July they were seeking sources of cheaper funding to replace about 70 percent of the more than $5 billion in debt from Chinese lenders with loans at cheaper interest and longer durations. Abe pledged about 45.4 billion yen ($377 million) in infrastructure aid, while Wickremsinghe said his government would create a more favorable investment climate by ensuring transparency and good governance. (Reuters) To listen to Ranil Wickremesinghe's speech at the link
The Committee on High Posts has approved the nomination of Former Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal (Retd.)
Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, arrested on allegation of corruption by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been remanded until July 1 by the Colombo Magistrate court.
A Sri Lankan man was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi airport for attempting to smuggle wildlife out of the country after three ball pythons were found hidden in his underwear, the Bangkok post reported.
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