WION: Sri Lanka’s Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva spoke to WION on Hambantota and Colombo ports, investments by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani in the country, and more.
“We have excellent relations with India. India is helping and we are reciprocating. We have started flights from India to our airports. We have started ferry services to and from Madras [Chennai]. We have increased connectivity,” de Silva told WION on the sidelines of the sixth international Indian Ocean Conference in Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.
“We have to be mindful about the security of India. We have very friendly relationship,” the minister emphasised, while adding that New Delhi is helping Colombo build its energy sector.
“We have requested India to come to Trincomalee port and do the value addition,” he said, in an invitation for New Delhi to invest in the port, located about 262 km southwest of Sri Lankan capital Colombo.
The Sri Lankan ports minister also expressed confidence on the Indian conglomerate Adani group’s investment in Colombo port.
The minister added that while Colombo had to sell the Hambantota port to China, it has ensured that the port is not used for war or security purposes.
“We had to sell the Hambantota [port]. We asked India to take it over and the US to take it over. Then the Chinese came and took it over. It is a private sector [takeover]. It is not being used for other purposes. Our agreement with the Chinese is very clear that it cannot be used for any war or security purposes but only trade,” he added.
Colombo (LNW): As Sri Lanka is witnessing a week-on-week increase in tourist arrival from China, more flights will be added in the coming months between the two countries.
The flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China, Air China, affirmed this week it would resume operations to Sri Lanka starting July.
According to Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, Air China has committed it would operate three flights to Sri Lanka. Fernando took to twitter to share in brief an update in this regard.He added that the flight frequency would further be increased in the coming months.
The industry stakeholders welcomed the move, stating that the increased number of flights will help lure more travellers from China.
“It is a good move. It is a much-needed move. It augurs well for the industry. We needed that capacity to cater to the demand from China,” said the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators.
At present, national carrier SriLankan Airlines operates a weekly service to Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.
China’s National Health Commission announced in December that the inbound travellers will no longer have to go into quarantine and there will be no official restriction on Chinese people going abroad.
Following the scrapping of the ‘Zero Covid-19’ policy, Sri Lanka welcomed the first group of Chinese tourists in March 2.
Since then, tourist arrivals from that country are on a steady increase. China even ranks among the top 10 key source markets for destination Sri Lanka in April, where it stood in the sixth position, moving from the 11th position in March.
For the January 1 to May 7 period, China stands as the ninth largest tourist traffic generator for Sri Lanka, contributing to 3 percent of the total tourist arrivals (11,553).
Meanwhile Batik Air (formerly known as Malindo Air) has announced that all bookings are open for its new reinstated services between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur. Daily flights to Kuala Lumpur are now in operation.
It will be mounting some of their new flight services on their brand-new Boeing 737-800 aircraft and all their fares are inclusive of 20-kg baggage allowance. Passengers will have the option to pre-purchase and also purchase meals on-board.
Malindo Air, a Malaysian-based regional airline, was officially rebranded as Batik Air when the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) granted a new Air Operators Certificate (AOC) to Malindo Airways Sdn Bhd to do business as Batik Air (dba Batik Air) with effect from 28 April 2022.
The rebranding exercise is in line with the Lion Group’s goal to establish a common identity for the full-service airlines within the group. With the approval in place, it allows Batik Air to conduct improved business for seamless transfers, leveraging Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as a transit hub for the Lion Group of airlines.
Batik Air is a Malaysian-based airline with main hubs at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Subang Skypark, the convenient KL downtown city airport in Selangor, Malaysia.
Batik Air is offering a special all-inclusive Economy Class Return Fare from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur and from Kuala Lumpur to Colombo at Rs. 78,500.
Its scheduled flights from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur daily: (CMB/KUL – 00:35/06:55 & KUL/CMB 17:25/18:25).
Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka government has taken measures to implement new initiatives to further enhance collaboration with Bangladesh in the shipping sector.
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva together with State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya held discussions last week with State Minister of Shipping in Bangladesh holding Cabinet rank, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury focusing on these new initiatives
Minister De Silva emphasised the importance of shipping connectivity as one of the key areas selected for bilateral collaboration, especially in the context that 40% of Bangladesh’s exports, mainly apparel, which are bound to Western Europe and US, are transported from Chattogram using the Port of Colombo.
Both Ministers agreed on the necessity of finalising the proposed Agreement on Coastal Shipping between the two countries and also the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to facilitate the Feeder Services between the ports of Colombo and Chattogram.
They decided to form a Working Group of legal experts to finalise the legal issues, if any, relating to pending bilateral instruments and to also form an additional working group to discuss the operational related issues.
The second session of the Joint Working Group and Joint Secretary level talks will be held in Sri Lanka during the course of the year.
Minister De Silva explained the facilities offered through the terminals of Colombo Port and the cost and time efficiency that Bangladeshi exporters can enjoy by using the Port of Colombo.
He further informed about the ongoing development projects related to the shipping sector as well as the port development projects in the northern part of Sri Lanka and invited Bangladesh investors to invest in Sri Lanka’s shipping sector through Public Private Partnerships.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya explained the promising opportunities available for cooperation in the areas of fishing and blue economy between the countries and invited the Bangladesh authorities to collaborate with Sri Lanka for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva and State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya were in Dhaka to attend the sixth Indian Ocean Conference.
Sri Lankan businessmen have invested US$4.5 billion in various sectors of Bangladesh, including the ready-made garment sector, and are keen to invest more due to the country’s stable political situation.
The Sri Lankan private sector is ready to invest in Chattagram and Payra ports, creating a new paradigm of Sri Lankan businessmen investing in Bangladesh,” he said.
“Despite being two small countries in the Indian Ocean region, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka hold significant importance due to their geography.
We are grateful to Bangladesh because many export products go through Colombo port. We want to increase it further. It saves Bangladesh time and money,” said the Sri Lankan minister.
Port City set to boost Sri Lankan economy via Special Economic Zone
Port City Colombo is set to reach its highest level of activity as the region’s first multi-currency, service export Special Economic Zone.
The 5-year roll-out plan envisages $ 5.6 billion in FDI which will fast-track Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, positioning both Port City and Sri Lanka as a leading player in the service export industry.
“Port City Colombo will help drive Sri Lanka’s new phase of growth and will be a significant contributor to the country’s GDP and BOP.
Our focus will be to drive the future economy by attracting more green-field FDIs in key sectors while strengthening the country’s competitiveness within the region,” said CHEC Port City Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare.
Poised to be Sri Lanka’s largest development project since the Mahaweli Development, Port City Colombo is expected to create over 140,000 direct job opportunities and contribute $13.8 billion to the GDP of Sri Lanka annually.
Spanning 269 Ha of ocean reclamation, Port City Colombo is Sri Lanka’s first special economic zone dedicated for exports of services.
Established under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No 11 of 2021, the Special Economic Zone was created to attract businesses engaged in global and regional trade, maritime services, banking and financial services, information technology, professional/ knowledge services, corporate headquarter operations, tourism and other ancillary services.
Since the commencement of the project, a contribution of $ 3 billion was made to the country’s GDP, creating 12,000 direct jobs and training for 4,000 Sri Lankan workers across over 20 Sri Lankan sub-contractors.
Land reclamation alone resulted in Sri Lankan companies providing over 5 million tons of stone, 12 million litres of fuel, 80,000 tons of cement and 1,200 tons of steel.
With Sri Lanka›s economic crisis prompting a mass exodus of skilled workers to relocate, Port City Colombo as a Service Export hub will open doors for global brands to set up within the zone with over 70% of employment created in modern services (PwC Economic Impact, November 2021).
The GoSL will see a significant increase in economic activity spurred by Businesses of Strategic Importance inducing multiple sources of fiscal revenue.
An estimated fiscal revenue of $ 1.7 billion is expected at the construction stage while a recurring revenue of approximately $ 700 million per annum is expected at the operational stage of the project.
Port City Colombo’s strategy will see it become a global centre for business and innovation, with a significant positive impact on Sri Lanka’s economy.
The Project is now seeing heightened interest from investors and businesses looking to establish a presence within Port City Colombo to access opportunities particularly in South-Asia as one of the world’s fastest growing regions.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s almost ten month-old government, led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and has grand plans for a redevelopment of the country’s capital and its surrounding districts under the existing Surbana Jurong plan for the development of the Western province.
But while the project may look good on paper prepared in 1997 and revised ot 2004 and thereafter reintroduced as a fresh proposal in 2011, officials face significant obstacles in realizing the 15-year vision at that time.
The Western Region Megapolis Planning Project devised by Surbana Jurong Company in Singapore comprises 150 smaller projects, including the controversial Chinese-funded Colombo Port City development.
Progress on this $1.4 billion project has stalled, but is expected to restart within the next few months.
Under the WRMPP, there would also be a trade hub, a high-rise central business district including at least 60 new towers, a science and technology city, and a rapid transit system aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Sri Lanka’s most populous region, which is home to almost 6 million people.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced that a Cabinet sub-committee would be appointed to implement the Surbana Jurong plan for the development of the Western Province and a new agency would be established for this purpose.
During a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on May 14, the President stressed the need for comprehensive development in the Western Province through a formal city development plan, stating that informal development could become uncontrollable.
The Western Province contributes about 50 per cent to the country’s economy, making its development crucial, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.
President Wickremesinghe instructed officials to present the development plan for the Eastern Province to the Cabinet. He also reminded everyone that the first plan related to the development of the Western Province was presented by Minister Indika Gunawardena in 1997 but was never implemented, the PMD said.
The plan presented by Surbana Jurong Company in Singapore in 2004 also suffered a similar fate.
The President urged officials to discuss the revised plan proposed by the company in 2015 and come to an urgent decision on the basic development plan needed for the Western Province, with further amendments if necessary.
The President was presented with the main development plan proposed to be implemented in the Western Province through the Urban Development Authority, and officials also discussed the release of land and land acquisition for the implementation of development works. President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to speed up the work, it added,
Progress on these projects has been stalled due to the COVID-19 crisis, financial constraints and policy issues and is expected to be revised considering case by case basis based on the availability of funds, he disclosed.
The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have initially given its consent to provide partial funding for the implementation of the plan under certain conditions, senior official said.
The project, initiated in May 2015, had been in operation for more than two years by the end of September 2017 and a sum of Rs. 330.23 million had been incurred for the project, a recent Auditor General’s report revealed.
Colombo (LNW): Chairman of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), former Minister of the Uva Province and former acting Chief Minister of the Uva Province Muththuvinayagam Senthil Thondaman is to be appointed as the new Governor of the Eastern Province, reports confirmed.
Three new governors are to be appointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe tomorrow (17), and all arrangements for the appointment of Mr. Thondaman as the Eastern Province’s new Governor have now been completed, sources closer to the President divulged.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports claimed that a Tamil lady in the public administration service is to be appointed as the new Governor of the Northern Province, and a former minister as the Governor of the Uva Province.
Colombo (LNW): Given a weak external environment and domestic policy tightening, aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, the economy is expected to contract by 3 percent in 2023, before registering a modest growth of 1.5 percent in 2024.
Prospects hinge quite critically on the implementation of the economic reform program says Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Krishna Srinivasan.
He noted that Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to contract by 3 percent in 2023, before registering a modest growth of 1.5 percent in 2024.
Mr. Srinivasan made this remark during a special press briefing in Colombo on Monday (15) with the IMF staff team visiting Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is currently negotiating with both bilateral and private creditors in good faith and that the debt restructuring process is expected to be completed before the first review of the EFF program in September or October this year.
He stated that Sri Lanka has been facing a severe crisis because of past policy missteps and back-to-back economic shocks.
“We have been deeply concerned about the impact of the crisis on the Sri Lankan people, particularly the poor and vulnerable groups, and about the economic costs of the delay in the country’s access to external financing.”
On March 20, the IMF Executive Board approved a 48-month Extended Fund Facility of about 3 billion U.S. dollars to support Sri Lanka’s economic policies and reforms.
“This marked an important step towards the resolution of the crisis,” he said. Sri Lanka immediately received an initial disbursement of about $330 from the EFF arrangement, which is expected to catalyze new external financial including from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
He further said: “As you know well by now, the reform program supported under the EFF arrangement is built on strong policy measures and prioritizes five key pillars.
He added that, commendably, Sri Lanka has already started implementing many of the challenging policy actions in these five areas. “
First, an ambitious revenue-based fiscal consolidation, which is accompanied by stronger social safety nets, fiscal institutional reforms, and cost recovery-based energy pricing to ensure the state’s ability to support all its essential expenditures.
Second, restoration of public debt sustainability including through a debt restructuring to ensure stable financing of the government’s operations.
Third, a multi-pronged strategy to restore price stability and rebuild reserves under greater exchange rate flexibility to alleviate the burden of inflation, particularly on the poor, to foster an environment of investment and growth, and to ensure Sri Lanka’s ability to purchase essential goods from abroad.
Fourth, policies to safeguard financial sector stability, to ensure that the financial sector can play its key role in supporting economic growth.
And fifth, structural reforms to address corruption vulnerabilities and enhance growth. Anti-corruption and governance reforms are imperative to ensure the hard-won gains from the reforms benefit the Sri Lankan people.
Sri Lanka is the first country in Asia that has undergone the IMF governance diagnostic exercise.The IMF governance diagnostic report is expected to be published by September this year.
01. President Ranil Wickremesinghe removes three governors: Jeevan Thiagarajah (Northern), Anuradha Yahampath (Eastern) and Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda (North-Western) removed from their positions: New appointments to take place on May 17.
02. The Unit 3 of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant to be shut down from June 3 for a period of 100 days due to scheduled major overhaul maintenance: Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says power generation will be managed without any power cuts through other thermal power plants.
03. Chairman of the Public Health Inspectors’ Association Upul Rohana says the Dengue situation in the Gampaha district is getting out of control; alleges the situation has occurred due to the failure of the National Dengue Control Unit and provincial officers to analyse data and take appropriate action at the correct time.
04. The Ceylon Teachers’ Union says a sum of Rs. 2.5 billion due to those performing GCE OL and AL examination invigilating duties has not been paid so far: Union Secretary Joseph Stalin laments the Dept of Exams despite the promise that the teachers involved in the evaluation of GCE AL answer scripts will be issued advance payment has failed to do so; adds in the backdrop, the teachers have not taken part in the paper marking process.
05. President Ranil Wickremesinghe informs the CID to launch an immediate probe into Pastor Jerome Fernando, a leading advocate for the Glorious Church in Colombo who calls himself ‘the Prophet of God’, over a public statement he had allegedly made insulting Lord Buddha; asserts he would not allow any individual to destabilise the country by instigating religious disharmony.
06. President Ranil Wickremesinghe issues a directive to the legal departments, instructing them to prepare a stringent legislation aimed at preventing child abuse; stresses the urgency of addressing the on-going issue of child abuse perpetrated by teachers, elders, and various segments of society; adds to combat such acts effectively, implementing a legal framework that imposes severe punishments on offenders would be necessary.
07. IMF Asia Pacific Director Krishna Srinivasan says Sri Lanka is expected to resume an economic growth in 2024 after contracting 3% this year; adds the expected economic growth of 1.5% next year hinges critically on the economic reform programme Sri Lanka has agreed to undertake, including challenging reforms in five identified areas.
08. Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says Sri Lanka requested ‘Indiana Ophthalmics’, the Indian company that manufactured ophthalmic medicine leading to complications among patients at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital, to grant compensation; adds Sri Lanka is yet to receive a response; reveals the company in question has been supplying medicines for the last seven years and is registered under the NMRA and the EU.
09. The Meteorology Department issues ‘caution’ level heat index advisory for Eastern and Northern provinces and Moneragala and Polonnaruwa districts after days of heavy weather; urges public to stay hydrated.
10. Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva says Sri Lanka has excellent relations with India; expresses confidence on the Indian conglomerate Adani group’s investment in Colombo Port; stresses that although Sri Lanka had to sell the Hambantota Port to China, it has ensured that the Port is not used for war or security purposes.
PMD: During a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on May 14, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that a Cabinet sub-committee would be appointed to implement the Surbana Jurong plan for the development of the Western Province and a new agency would be established for this purpose.
The President stressed the need for comprehensive development in the Western Province through a formal city development plan, stating that informal development could become uncontrollable. The Western Province contributes about 50 per cent to the country’s economy, making its development crucial.
President Wickremesinghe instructed officials to present the development plan for the Eastern Province to the Cabinet. He also reminded everyone that the first plan related to the development of the Western Province was presented by Minister Indika Gunawardena in 1997 but was never implemented.
The plan presented by Surbana Jurong Company in Singapore in 2004 also suffered a similar fate. The President urged officials to discuss the revised plan proposed by the company in 2015 and come to an urgent decision on the basic development plan needed for the Western Province, with further amendments if necessary.
The President was presented with the main development plan proposed to be implemented in the Western Province through the Urban Development Authority, and officials also discussed the release of land and land acquisition for the implementation of development works. President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials to speed up the work.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Prasanna Ranatunga, Bandula Gunawardena, Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, Nalin Fernando, Member of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena, Presidential Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, Presidential Senior Adviser on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardena, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake and a group of government officials including ministry secretaries attended the discussion.
PMD: President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a directive to the legal departments, instructing them to prepare a stringent legislation aimed at preventing child abuse.
The President has stressed the urgency of addressing the on-going issue of child abuse perpetrated by teachers, elders, and various segments of society. To combat such acts effectively, he has emphasized the necessity of implementing a legal framework that imposes severe punishments on offenders.
The President’s decision to take action was prompted by recent incidents, including the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl who jumped from a hotel in Kalutara, as well as the abuse of 16 children by a tuition teacher in the same region. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has specifically highlighted the need to introduce a separate set of laws dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of the nation’s children. To achieve this, he has called for amendments to be made to existing legislation, underscoring the importance of careful consideration during the process.
Significant adjustments are needed in the field of education. The President also highlights the importance of initiating a new discussion and raising awareness about the economic and social implications of parent-child interactions and mental health within households.
In addition to the enactment of strict laws for child protection, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has also directed his attention toward implementing a separate program in both public and private institutions. This program aims to foster an understanding of a child’s mind set and cultivate a society that embraces a broader perspective. The President believes that developing such attitudes within the community will contribute to the well-being of children.
The 25th Session of the Joint Commission between Sri Lanka and the European Union was convened in Colombo on 09 May 2023, in a constructive and cordial atmosphere. It reviewed bilateral relations ranging from reconciliation, human rights, trade, development cooperation, climate change & environment, sectoral cooperation, international security cooperation and cooperation in multilateral fora. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Aruni Wijewardane, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, and Ms Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service of the EU.
The Joint Commission met at an important juncture for Sri Lanka in its 75th anniversary of independence. Sri Lanka briefed the EU side regarding the important social and economic stabilization process over the past year. The EU side commended Sri Lanka on the resilience of its democratic institutions, and the government’s progress in stabilizing the economy. The Sri Lanka side updated on the cases before the Supreme Court in response to a question made by the EU regarding the conduct of local government elections.
With regard to economic recovery, the Sri Lanka side updated the EU on the recent approval of the Extended Fund Facility by the IMF, and expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the EU and Member States for the support extended. It was noted that Sri Lanka has already initiated fiscal, monetary and governance reforms, as well as measures to mitigate the economic impact of these reforms on the poor and vulnerable. The EU agreed on the significance of efficient targeted social safety nets, welcomed that the planned reforms include stronger measures against corruption, and emphasized the importance of independent institutions.
The EU welcomed the 21st Amendment, which would further enhance democratic governance.
The meeting took note of the outcome of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights on 28 October 2022 and the importance of following up on its conclusions.
On the new Anti-Terrorism Bill, Sri Lanka informed that the Ministry of Justice was seeking the observations of the public and other stakeholders with a view to amending the Gazetted Bill before submitting it to Parliament. Sri Lanka’s ongoing consultation process with all relevant stakeholders is aimed at adopting a legislation in line with international standards, which could soon replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The EU appreciated the commitment of Sri Lanka to further release PTA detainees and urged Sri Lanka to refrain from using the PTA.
Both parties agreed on the importance of empowering civil society while providing necessary space for their functioning in all its diversity. Further, EU reiterated its continued commitment to support Sri Lanka in justice reform and reconciliation, and welcomed Sri Lanka’s update on the country’s cooperation in international fora including its recent participation in the UPR Review under the 4th Cycle in February 2023 and 6th Periodic Review under the ICCPR in March 2023. The EU noted Sri Lanka’s continued cooperation and constructive engagement with the UN on the Universal Periodic Review. The EU encouraged Sri Lanka to continue its engagement with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
Sri Lanka further updated on its reconciliation efforts, such as the new initiative of a domestic Truth and Reconciliation commission, release of land and resettlement of IDPs and the functioning of the independent offices: the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), the Office for Reparations (OR) and Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR). While acknowledging the efforts made, the EU encouraged the continued consultation with victims and all stakeholders, and underlined the importance of independence and effective functioning of these Offices.
The Joint Commission took stock of the conclusions of the Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation held virtually on 25th April 2023. The EU and Sri Lanka noted the significance of bilateral trade relations. In this regard, the EU urged Sri Lanka to lift the import restrictions preventing many European products from entering its market. The EU welcomed Sri Lanka’s intention to present a plan for the lifting of the import restrictions by June 2023. Sri Lanka expressed its intention towards a gradual phasing out of these restrictions, factoring in the current economic situation. The EU and Sri Lanka agreed that the EU-Sri Lanka Investor Dialogue may take place at an early date, in Sri Lanka. The EU presented the new EU GSP Regulation, which is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2024, for the next 10-year cycle. The EU informed that the report of the last EU GSP+ monitoring cycle 2020-2022 is expected to be released in the coming months.
The Joint Commission was also informed of the proceedings of the 6th meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Working Group on Development Cooperation held in Colombo on 08 May 2023. The EU and Sri Lanka discussed joint priorities under the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) of the EU. Both parties reviewed progress in thematic areas undertaken in support of Sri Lanka’s development priorities such as rural development, agriculture, green circular economy, good governance, and a peaceful and inclusive society. The EU stressed the importance of civil society for the country’s development.
Sri Lanka updated the EU on the drafting of its new Fisheries Act to prevent and eliminate the IUU fishing practices. Cooperation in the framework of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) was also discussed.
Discussions also included migration and readmission.
The EU and Sri Lanka exchanged ways to deepen cooperation on higher education, research and technical cooperation under the Erasmus + and Horizon Europe Framework.
Sri Lanka and the EU reviewed ongoing cooperation in the area of international security. Sri Lanka highlighted its progress in the area of cyber security and data protection and sought EU cooperation in this regard, as the country’s move towards a digital economy requires more governance in this area.
The EU referred to the upcoming Ministerial Conference on Indo-Pacific in Stockholm on 13th May 2023 and briefed on programmes under the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The EU expressed its appreciation for Sri Lanka’s active participation in programmes such as “Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO)”. Sri Lanka expressed interest in further areas for possible cooperation. Sri Lanka also highlighted its upcoming Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The EU welcomed Sri Lanka’s ambitious Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP), and the roadmap to attract foreign investment in its transition towards a greener economy, including through cooperation in climate financing and renewable energy, while accelerating climate adaptation and achieving net negative carbon emissions by 2050. The EU briefed on the implementation of the European Green Deal and expressed the desire to work closely with Sri Lanka, bilaterally and in multilateral fora, on climate financing options and climate change actions as well as environmental protection.
On the follow-up to the Conference of the Parties (COP27) of UNFCCC, both sides exchanged views on making the Loss and Damage Fund operational.
Sri Lanka highlighted its commitment and steady progress in achieving the SDGs amidst the economic challenges, and continued efforts taken to strengthen national level coordination, monitoring and progress evaluation of the implementation of SDGs.
In conclusion, both sides agreed to take follow-up action based on the deliberations of the 25th Session, including the identification of a series of action points to make progress on before the next Joint Commission Meeting in 2024 in Brussels.
