“India Defense Forces offer around 1500 training slots to SL each year”
Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka – Vinod K Jacob has noted that Indian Defence Forces offer about 1500 training slots every year to Sri Lanka which are financed through a special programme with an annual allocation of USD 7 million.
He has said this while addressing the Indian Navy-trained Sri Lanka Defence Forces personnel on board Indian Naval Ship Sukanya in Colombo on 28 February 2023.
He said that training is the strongest and most enduring pillar of bilateral Defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
Training is imparted for cadets at premier Defence Institutes in India like National Defence College, Indian Military Academy, Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy. In addition, various service-specific training modules and staff courses are also offered. Sri Lanka receives the maximum number of billets in Higher Defence Management and National Defence College Courses. Deputy High Commissioner noted that it is a matter of immense satisfaction for India that some of these alumni have risen to the ranks of Service Chiefs of Sri Lanka.
Deputy High Commissioner Jacob remarked that India-Sri Lanka relations are excellent and form the highlight of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. While both countries are working to deepen engagement across the board, five areas are of particular significance in the immediate short and medium term. First is the potential for economic and financial cooperation by building on the Indian support to the people of Sri Lanka in 2022 to the tune of USD 4 billion. He emphasized that focus could be laid on areas such as trade in national currencies, ease of investments and strengthening financial cooperation. Second, the two sides are working towards increasing air, ferry, digital and energy connectivity. Third, a new type of development cooperation partnership building on the existing multi-billion portfolio with special emphasis on vulnerable communities is required. Fourth, both sides need to enhance people to people exchanges, particularly in tourist movements. Fifth, it is essential to strengthen the cultural, religious, music, movie and sporting links for mutual benefit.
YOU MAY LIKE
-
State institutions allowed to open accounts in private banks for emergencies
-
IRD urged to expedite identification of tax evaders
-
Vistara to resume Colombo – Mumbai flights
-
China willing to continue helping SL to ease debt burden
-
President released from 108 lawsuits
-
Appeal filed by Maithri dismissed with costs
A decision has been taken during a special Cabinet meeting held today (March 01) to permit state institutions, ministries, departments and statuary boards to open accounts at private banks, if trade union actions are hindering the opening of letters of credit to import medicines and other essential goods, says the Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Bandula Gunawardene.
During the meeting, the ministers have pointed out to the President that as a result of the state bank staff resorting to trade union actions, the continuation of public services may become problematic.
They have also highlighted that it will affect the lives of the people, if a situation emerges, where it is not possible to issue letters of credit on time, especially for the most essential services such as purchasing fuel, gas and medicines.
Accordingly, drawing attention towards this situation, the Cabinet of Ministers has proposed to permit public institutions to open and maintain accounts at private banks to be useful in case of an emergency.
Thus, the President has instructed to grant approval for the matter with prior approval of the Ministry of Finance, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.
(adaderana.lk)
The Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has been instructed to take prompt measures to identify those persons who have evaded paying their respective taxes.
State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has directed thus during a meeting held earlier today (March 01) with IRD officials.
Siyambalpitiya had instructed to take all required measures to promptly identify those who evade taxes by not disclosing their salaries, or who have failed settle their due amounts thus far.
China has said that they will jointly play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the situation, ease its debt burden and achieve sustainable development.
Speaking at the regular media briefing in Beijing yesterday (28) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson – Ms. Mao Ning has said this while responding to Bloomberg.
Bloomberg: Is China willing to make any adjustments to fall in line with the assurances required to finalize Sri Lanka’s IMF program? If not, are there other steps that have been taken to overcome Chinese concerns on Sri Lanka’s recast and the overall debt restructuring landscape?
Mao Ning: “We have shared with you the information on multiple occasions. The Export-Import Bank of China provided a financing support document to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies of Sri Lanka, saying the Bank is going to provide an extension on the debt service due in 2022 and 2023 to help relieve Sri Lanka’s short-term debt repayment pressure. The Bank also noted that it will support Sri Lanka in its loan application to the IMF and continuously call on commercial creditors (including the International Sovereign Bondholders) to provide debt treatment in an equally comparable manner, and encourage multilateral creditors to do their utmost to make corresponding contributions.”
“What China did is first based on China’s existing policy and position on debt issue. At the same time, as a special arrangement, it also reflects the traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka. China’s action fully demonstrates its sincerity and efforts to support Sri Lanka in achieving debt sustainability. China will continue to support relevant financial institutions in actively working out the debt treatment. We will work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to jointly play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate the situation, ease its debt burden and achieve sustainable development.”
ADVERTISEMENT
