Police will take measures to stregthen the security to prevent any violent move that is likely to happen when there is a debate for 18th constitutional amendment in Parliament on 7th of September.
The discussion was held at Police Head Quarters between DIG Mr. Mahinda Balasooriya and top officers to design relevant measures if such incident takes place.
Army people will be deployed along the roads leading to Parliament to ensure MPs to reach Parliament without any hindrance.
The information has been received that there would be mass agitations and demonstrations which are about to be conducted by some sections of opposition to oppose 18th constitutional amendment.
Parliamentary sessions will commence at 9.30 a.m on next Tuesday to debate for 18th amendment. Subsequently voting will take place at5.30 p.m on the same day. (Lanka Truth)
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Sunday, September 5, 2010
Canada accepts the most Sri Lankan refugees
OTTAWA – Most of the 492 of the passengers and crew aboard the MV Sun Sea have a good shot at being granted refugee status in Canada, according to a review of Canadian acceptance rates for refugee applicants from Sri Lanka and other countries.
Canada is more likely than any other country to grant refugee status to Sri Lankan nationals, and it accepts more refugees from Sri Lanka than from anywhere else.
In the first six months of 2010, the acceptance rate for Sri Lankan
nationals, many of whom are ethnic Tamils, was 85%. In 2009, the acceptance rate was 90.7%. In 2008, it was 93%.
According to statistics from The IGC — an informal body based Geneva,
Switzerland that gathers data on immigration and refugee matters — Canada's acceptance of Sri Lankan refugees is almost 14% higher than the second most accepting country, Australia.
While Canada accepted 90.7% of all refugee applicants from Sri Lanka in 2009, Australia accepted 76.9%.
Other countries with a significant number of applications had much lower acceptance rates.
Britain received an almost identical number of Sri Lankan refugee applications as Canada — 1,099 compared to Canada's 1,082 — yet rejected 86.4% of them.
Out of the 2,636 refugee applications made by Sri Lanka nationals in France, 75.9% were rejected.
After accounting for applications withdrawn or granted a different status, Canada’s rejection rate for Sri Lankan nationals is just 5.5%. Information provided by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) shows Sri Lankan nationals are accepted into Canada at a much higher rate than refugee applicants from other countries.
Mexico was Canada’s top source of refugee applications in 2009, with 9,314 claims made, and a mere 8% accepted.
The acceptance rate of applications from China was 58%, and the rate for Nigeria was 66%. Canada’s total acceptance rate for all countries in 2009 was 42%.
Questions put to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s office were referred to the IRB.
“They make refugee decisions independently, at arm's length from the minister and the government,” said Alykhan Velshi, a spokesman for Kenney.
IRB spokeswoman Melissa Anderson told QMI Agency it's hard to draw conclusions from international numbers or compare them to Canada's, because the criteria for accepting refugees may be different.
Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland told QMI Agency the overall acceptance rates of other countries may be higher than officially stated, because failed refugee claimants are not necessarily kicked-out and are often accepted as a different class of migrant.
Canada also has well-documented trouble removing failed applicants. Auditor General Sheila Fraser reported in 2008 that 42,000 people ordered out of Canada could not be found by federal officials.
The issue of Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka became an issue three weeks ago when the MV Sun Sea arrived on B.C.'s coast.
Reports continue to surface that between one and five other refugee ships are preparing to make their way to Canada.
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said his department, “is leading an integrated Canadian effort abroad, working in close concert with Canadian departments and agencies and other states to combat migrant smuggling.”
“Our Government will not sit back while Canada becomes a target for criminal operations that are trying to take advantage of Canada's generosity,” said Cannon.
A report in the Globe and Mail last week revealed Tamils looking for passage to countries like Canada are being warehoused in apartments around Bangkok.
One man, who fled the civil war in Sri Lanka before it ended, complained that human smugglers were charging tens of thousands of dollars for trips to Canada, a price he said was unaffordable to an ordinary refugee.
Canada is more likely than any other country to grant refugee status to Sri Lankan nationals, and it accepts more refugees from Sri Lanka than from anywhere else.
In the first six months of 2010, the acceptance rate for Sri Lankan
nationals, many of whom are ethnic Tamils, was 85%. In 2009, the acceptance rate was 90.7%. In 2008, it was 93%.
According to statistics from The IGC — an informal body based Geneva,
Switzerland that gathers data on immigration and refugee matters — Canada's acceptance of Sri Lankan refugees is almost 14% higher than the second most accepting country, Australia.
While Canada accepted 90.7% of all refugee applicants from Sri Lanka in 2009, Australia accepted 76.9%.
Other countries with a significant number of applications had much lower acceptance rates.
Britain received an almost identical number of Sri Lankan refugee applications as Canada — 1,099 compared to Canada's 1,082 — yet rejected 86.4% of them.
Out of the 2,636 refugee applications made by Sri Lanka nationals in France, 75.9% were rejected.
After accounting for applications withdrawn or granted a different status, Canada’s rejection rate for Sri Lankan nationals is just 5.5%. Information provided by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) shows Sri Lankan nationals are accepted into Canada at a much higher rate than refugee applicants from other countries.
Mexico was Canada’s top source of refugee applications in 2009, with 9,314 claims made, and a mere 8% accepted.
The acceptance rate of applications from China was 58%, and the rate for Nigeria was 66%. Canada’s total acceptance rate for all countries in 2009 was 42%.
Questions put to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s office were referred to the IRB.
“They make refugee decisions independently, at arm's length from the minister and the government,” said Alykhan Velshi, a spokesman for Kenney.
IRB spokeswoman Melissa Anderson told QMI Agency it's hard to draw conclusions from international numbers or compare them to Canada's, because the criteria for accepting refugees may be different.
Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland told QMI Agency the overall acceptance rates of other countries may be higher than officially stated, because failed refugee claimants are not necessarily kicked-out and are often accepted as a different class of migrant.
Canada also has well-documented trouble removing failed applicants. Auditor General Sheila Fraser reported in 2008 that 42,000 people ordered out of Canada could not be found by federal officials.
The issue of Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka became an issue three weeks ago when the MV Sun Sea arrived on B.C.'s coast.
Reports continue to surface that between one and five other refugee ships are preparing to make their way to Canada.
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said his department, “is leading an integrated Canadian effort abroad, working in close concert with Canadian departments and agencies and other states to combat migrant smuggling.”
“Our Government will not sit back while Canada becomes a target for criminal operations that are trying to take advantage of Canada's generosity,” said Cannon.
A report in the Globe and Mail last week revealed Tamils looking for passage to countries like Canada are being warehoused in apartments around Bangkok.
One man, who fled the civil war in Sri Lanka before it ended, complained that human smugglers were charging tens of thousands of dollars for trips to Canada, a price he said was unaffordable to an ordinary refugee.
People’s verdict will reign supreme
But it is entirely up to the people to decide whether they re-elect the incumbent President or not,” Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told the Sunday Observer.
The Government is well poised to secure the two-third majority needed to pass the 18th Amendment in the House, with more UNP MPs expressing their support, in addition to the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) which earlier pledged support.
“The right of the executive incumbent to recontest is not restricted to person A or person B. This is for anyone who holds that office. Just because this clause is there, it is not mandatory for the incumbent to recontest,” Minister Gunawardena said.
According to new Constitutional Amendments, the Executive President has to visit Parliament at least once every three months.
“This is indirectly a form of being answerable to Parliament and participating in the affairs of the elected representatives.
The President as a people’s leader elected with an overwhelming majority would work more closely with the elected representatives in Parliament,” the Minister said.
Minister Gunawardena noted that the clause on two terms of the President was not decided by the country’s people. It was a model copied by the late President J.R. Jayewardene (from Constitutions in certain countries) and “we have been asked to follow it”.
Responding to the decision taken by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to oppose the Constitutional amendments, the Minister said Wickremesinghe has been voting against every good move for the people and the Motherland.
“It is better for the UNP and its alliance to think of a fresh approach for working with the Government, contributing towards its efforts to achieve fast economic growth,” the Minister said. He said the decision to conduct a full-day debate in Parliament on Wednesday on the Constitutional Amendment Bill was a unanimous decision reached at the Party Leaders’ meeting chaired by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. The Bill will be debated in Parliament during the whole day on September 8 from 9.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. The vote on the Bill will take place at 7.00 p.m, the Minister said.
The Opposition wanted more time to debate this Bill in Parliament. Therefore, the Government agreed to start the debate at 9.30 a.m. and continue until 7.00 p.m. Normally, Parliament sits at 1.00 p.m.
“We have accommodated all requests of different parties in Parliament. Therefore, it was a unanimous decision reached at the Party Leaders’ meeting chaired by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to summon Parliament at 9.30 a.m. and continue until 7.00 p.m,” the Minister said. (Sunday Observer)
The Government is well poised to secure the two-third majority needed to pass the 18th Amendment in the House, with more UNP MPs expressing their support, in addition to the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) which earlier pledged support.
“The right of the executive incumbent to recontest is not restricted to person A or person B. This is for anyone who holds that office. Just because this clause is there, it is not mandatory for the incumbent to recontest,” Minister Gunawardena said.
According to new Constitutional Amendments, the Executive President has to visit Parliament at least once every three months.
“This is indirectly a form of being answerable to Parliament and participating in the affairs of the elected representatives.
The President as a people’s leader elected with an overwhelming majority would work more closely with the elected representatives in Parliament,” the Minister said.
Minister Gunawardena noted that the clause on two terms of the President was not decided by the country’s people. It was a model copied by the late President J.R. Jayewardene (from Constitutions in certain countries) and “we have been asked to follow it”.
Responding to the decision taken by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to oppose the Constitutional amendments, the Minister said Wickremesinghe has been voting against every good move for the people and the Motherland.
“It is better for the UNP and its alliance to think of a fresh approach for working with the Government, contributing towards its efforts to achieve fast economic growth,” the Minister said. He said the decision to conduct a full-day debate in Parliament on Wednesday on the Constitutional Amendment Bill was a unanimous decision reached at the Party Leaders’ meeting chaired by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. The Bill will be debated in Parliament during the whole day on September 8 from 9.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. The vote on the Bill will take place at 7.00 p.m, the Minister said.
The Opposition wanted more time to debate this Bill in Parliament. Therefore, the Government agreed to start the debate at 9.30 a.m. and continue until 7.00 p.m. Normally, Parliament sits at 1.00 p.m.
“We have accommodated all requests of different parties in Parliament. Therefore, it was a unanimous decision reached at the Party Leaders’ meeting chaired by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to summon Parliament at 9.30 a.m. and continue until 7.00 p.m,” the Minister said. (Sunday Observer)
Pakistan betting scandal: Sri Lanka player under ICC spotlight
The International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit has been monitoring the activities of a leading Sri Lanka player since the World Twenty20 in England last year after team-mates became increasingly unsettled by his late-night fraternising with a man they believed to be an illegal bookmaker. They passed on their concerns to the captain, Kumar Sangakkara, who followed ICC protocol by contacting the anti-corruption unit.
The player has since been investigated by Sri Lankan police, although no charges have been laid; officials from the ICC's anti-corruption unit are said to be dismayed at the lack of progress. Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive, has admitted to a general sense of frustration, saying: "The [anti-corruption unit's] working is not that of a policing agency or a newspaper. They have no power to arrest or seize, or carry out a sting operation."
Getting international players to question the honesty of one of their own team‑mates is a considerable challenge, but it is essential if the ICC is to root out corruption. England's one-day captain, Paul Collingwood, admitted ahead of today's Twenty20 international in Cardiff the difficulty faced by players in casting aside dressing‑room loyalties by reporting a team‑mate suspected of involvement with a betting scam.
As England and Pakistan prepared for the start of the one-day series, in a lingering atmosphere of despondency and mistrust, Collingwood said: "I love this game fondly. It's very hard to say whether you would blag on someone or whatever but I would like to think I would take every decision in the best interests of the game of cricket."
No England player, as far as Collingwood is aware, has ever felt the need to phone the ICC's anti-corruption hotline. "In my experience, I would probably say never, but I don't know for certain. You don't know whether players have done it individually and not told anybody else. This is probably stuff that will be done confidentially and kept kind of under the carpet."
England also seem to have stopped short of reporting suspicions about opponents. They are regularly implored, as are players from all countries, to pass on all suspicions and leave the anti-corruption unit to investigate, but pointing the finger of suspicion without evidence is not easily done. "From a players' point of view, we pretty much just want to focus on the game in hand and let the authorities deal with it and make strong decisions," Collingwood said. "It may be up to the players to tell the authorities if they think something is going on."
Pakistan's new captain, Shahid Afridi, who took over from the suspended Salman Butt, made a remarkable public apology before his side's net session in Cardiff yesterday on behalf of the three players – Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – whose alleged involvement in betting scams is being investigated by the Metropolitan police and who have already been charged under the ICC's code of conduct. Afridi made no attempt to proclaim their innocence. "I think it is very bad news," he said. "On behalf of these players – I know they are not in this series – but on behalf of these boys, I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations."
The News of the World, which published its exposé into cricket corruption a week ago after a sting operation against the Pakistan players' agent, Mazhar Majeed, provides further evidence over 19 pages today to support its allegations. The newspaper has been praised by the head of the anti-corruption unit, Ronnie Flanagan. The newspaper claims that the Pakistan players face 23 ICC charges between them and that the Metropolitan Police have recovered between £10-15,000 of bills marked by the News of the World from Butt's room.
It also states Butt was warned five times that he must report any irregular dealings. It also derides as "rantings" the suggestion by the Pakistan high commissioner in London, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, that the evidence had been faked.
Yasir Hameed, who was recalled for the final Test at The Oval – the Test that was the subject of the News of the World sting – is quoted as saying: "They were doing it [fixing] in almost every match. God knows what they were up to." Hameed last night denied he had made the allegations and said he was "deeply disturbed" by them.
(Gardian.co.uk)
The player has since been investigated by Sri Lankan police, although no charges have been laid; officials from the ICC's anti-corruption unit are said to be dismayed at the lack of progress. Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive, has admitted to a general sense of frustration, saying: "The [anti-corruption unit's] working is not that of a policing agency or a newspaper. They have no power to arrest or seize, or carry out a sting operation."
Getting international players to question the honesty of one of their own team‑mates is a considerable challenge, but it is essential if the ICC is to root out corruption. England's one-day captain, Paul Collingwood, admitted ahead of today's Twenty20 international in Cardiff the difficulty faced by players in casting aside dressing‑room loyalties by reporting a team‑mate suspected of involvement with a betting scam.
As England and Pakistan prepared for the start of the one-day series, in a lingering atmosphere of despondency and mistrust, Collingwood said: "I love this game fondly. It's very hard to say whether you would blag on someone or whatever but I would like to think I would take every decision in the best interests of the game of cricket."
No England player, as far as Collingwood is aware, has ever felt the need to phone the ICC's anti-corruption hotline. "In my experience, I would probably say never, but I don't know for certain. You don't know whether players have done it individually and not told anybody else. This is probably stuff that will be done confidentially and kept kind of under the carpet."
England also seem to have stopped short of reporting suspicions about opponents. They are regularly implored, as are players from all countries, to pass on all suspicions and leave the anti-corruption unit to investigate, but pointing the finger of suspicion without evidence is not easily done. "From a players' point of view, we pretty much just want to focus on the game in hand and let the authorities deal with it and make strong decisions," Collingwood said. "It may be up to the players to tell the authorities if they think something is going on."
Pakistan's new captain, Shahid Afridi, who took over from the suspended Salman Butt, made a remarkable public apology before his side's net session in Cardiff yesterday on behalf of the three players – Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – whose alleged involvement in betting scams is being investigated by the Metropolitan police and who have already been charged under the ICC's code of conduct. Afridi made no attempt to proclaim their innocence. "I think it is very bad news," he said. "On behalf of these players – I know they are not in this series – but on behalf of these boys, I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations."
The News of the World, which published its exposé into cricket corruption a week ago after a sting operation against the Pakistan players' agent, Mazhar Majeed, provides further evidence over 19 pages today to support its allegations. The newspaper has been praised by the head of the anti-corruption unit, Ronnie Flanagan. The newspaper claims that the Pakistan players face 23 ICC charges between them and that the Metropolitan Police have recovered between £10-15,000 of bills marked by the News of the World from Butt's room.
It also states Butt was warned five times that he must report any irregular dealings. It also derides as "rantings" the suggestion by the Pakistan high commissioner in London, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, that the evidence had been faked.
Yasir Hameed, who was recalled for the final Test at The Oval – the Test that was the subject of the News of the World sting – is quoted as saying: "They were doing it [fixing] in almost every match. God knows what they were up to." Hameed last night denied he had made the allegations and said he was "deeply disturbed" by them.
(Gardian.co.uk)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Sri Lanka's left parties in ruling alliance still undecided on constitutional amendments
The left parties in the ruling coalition of Sri Lankan government are still undecided regarding the proposed 18th amendment to the constitution.
The Socialist People's Front, a common front in the ruling coalition formed by the Sri Lanka Communist Party, Lanka Samasamaja Party, and the Democratic Left Front, has held several rounds of talks but with no agreement. The dialogue held yesterday also has ended without a conclusion.
The left parties are to meet again on September 06 to reach a final decision, says the government MP representing the Democratic Left Front and President's Adviser Vasudeva Nanayakkara.
The debate on the Draft Bill will be held on September 08th, the same day it is tabled in the parliament. The vote on the bill will be held following the debate.
Left parties earlier vowed not to support moves that strengthen the executive Presidency. However, no Left Front Minister registered protest to the constitutional amendments at the cabinet meeting when the draft proposals were unanimously approved.
The amendments propose deletion of clause 2 of article 31 which specifies term limits on Executive Presidency, changes to the Constitutional Council, changes to appointment of Commissions, delegation of powers to Secretaries of Ministries to institute public service transfers, and making mandatory for the holder of the office of the President to attend Parliament every three months.
The ruling alliance is confident of passing the Bill with a two-third majority in the 225-member parliament with at least 160 votes in favor.
The Socialist People's Front, a common front in the ruling coalition formed by the Sri Lanka Communist Party, Lanka Samasamaja Party, and the Democratic Left Front, has held several rounds of talks but with no agreement. The dialogue held yesterday also has ended without a conclusion.
The left parties are to meet again on September 06 to reach a final decision, says the government MP representing the Democratic Left Front and President's Adviser Vasudeva Nanayakkara.
The debate on the Draft Bill will be held on September 08th, the same day it is tabled in the parliament. The vote on the bill will be held following the debate.
Left parties earlier vowed not to support moves that strengthen the executive Presidency. However, no Left Front Minister registered protest to the constitutional amendments at the cabinet meeting when the draft proposals were unanimously approved.
The amendments propose deletion of clause 2 of article 31 which specifies term limits on Executive Presidency, changes to the Constitutional Council, changes to appointment of Commissions, delegation of powers to Secretaries of Ministries to institute public service transfers, and making mandatory for the holder of the office of the President to attend Parliament every three months.
The ruling alliance is confident of passing the Bill with a two-third majority in the 225-member parliament with at least 160 votes in favor.
UNP moves no-faith motion against G.L. Peiris
The UNP today (Sept. 03) moved a no-confidence motion against external affairs minister Prof. G.L. Peiris over his "failure to handle international affairs."
The party handed over the proposal to speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, reports said.
It has been signed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga and Wijedasa Rajapaksa.
The motion alleges Prof. Peiris had made false statements to the country and to the world and failed to secure continuation of the GSP Plus export concession and did not act in the case of the Sri Lankan housemaid who had been tortured by her Saudi employers. (Colombo Today)
The party handed over the proposal to speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, reports said.
It has been signed by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Ravi Karunanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga and Wijedasa Rajapaksa.
The motion alleges Prof. Peiris had made false statements to the country and to the world and failed to secure continuation of the GSP Plus export concession and did not act in the case of the Sri Lankan housemaid who had been tortured by her Saudi employers. (Colombo Today)
China and Japan Our True Friends
In the international arena of foreign relations, it was Sri Lanka that championed the cause of both our friends China and Japan. Immediately after the Second World War at the conference in San Francisco USA, the world was taking stock of how and what it should do, to deal with the both Japan and Germany who were defeated by the allied forces. Ceylon’s representative at this meeting, J. R. Jayewardene, appealed to the world community, that we do not believe in the doctrine of an eye for an eye but that we must pardon our enemies in order that all future enmity would gradually disappear and peace restored in the world. This wise counsel was accepted by the world. Hence when the JR government came to power in 1977, it was Japan and the ADB that came forward to help our development efforts.
Similarly, when the colonial powers were driven out of China by their great leader Mao Tse-tung; about 1949, the world community led by the US and its colonial cohorts ostracized China and made it taboo for any country to have anything to do with China. The old colonials denied China’s entry into the UN until 1971, when it was forced to admit that China was a force to reckon with. As China’s very old friend, Sri Lanka all the while supported China’s entry to the UN. In fact the very mention of China in the US, or UK was a dirty word, up to Henry Kissinger’s visit to China, in the latter part of Nixon’s presidency in 1973. Notwithstanding this embargo on China, Sri Lanka, (then Ceylon) boldly ventured to sign a Rubber for Rice Agreement with its true friend China, as early as 1953, under Sir John Kotelawela. This was subsequent to the US refusing to give Sri Lanka its due price for its rubber. Hence it was Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, which was in fact the first country to boldly engage and trade with China in defiance of a world community boycott. Quite rightly China is beholden to our uprightness in breaking the unofficial trade embargo placed on it. During this period, no country, even in Asia dared to have anything to do with China for fear of reprisals from the old Colonials. This trade pact between China and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) gave China the needed fillip to begin trading with other countries.
Subsequently it was after 1956 that our ties with China were further strengthened and its goodwill towards Sri Lanka is unmatched in aid without any strings. China’s gift of the Bandaranaike Memorial Internationally Conference Hall is well known. There are hundreds of Chinese aided projects in Sri Lanka. In recent times, China’s close co-operation during the final years of the terrorist war is incomparable. Apart from the Noracholai Power plant and Hambantota Harbour and Airport projects, Sri Lankans have no qualms about hooking up with their sincere Chinese friends. Quite unlike others, they have no ulterior motives.
It is a pity that some countries don’t understand our very special relationship with China, which is a good example of the type of relationship that countries must maintain in international affairs. (The Island)
Similarly, when the colonial powers were driven out of China by their great leader Mao Tse-tung; about 1949, the world community led by the US and its colonial cohorts ostracized China and made it taboo for any country to have anything to do with China. The old colonials denied China’s entry into the UN until 1971, when it was forced to admit that China was a force to reckon with. As China’s very old friend, Sri Lanka all the while supported China’s entry to the UN. In fact the very mention of China in the US, or UK was a dirty word, up to Henry Kissinger’s visit to China, in the latter part of Nixon’s presidency in 1973. Notwithstanding this embargo on China, Sri Lanka, (then Ceylon) boldly ventured to sign a Rubber for Rice Agreement with its true friend China, as early as 1953, under Sir John Kotelawela. This was subsequent to the US refusing to give Sri Lanka its due price for its rubber. Hence it was Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, which was in fact the first country to boldly engage and trade with China in defiance of a world community boycott. Quite rightly China is beholden to our uprightness in breaking the unofficial trade embargo placed on it. During this period, no country, even in Asia dared to have anything to do with China for fear of reprisals from the old Colonials. This trade pact between China and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) gave China the needed fillip to begin trading with other countries.
Subsequently it was after 1956 that our ties with China were further strengthened and its goodwill towards Sri Lanka is unmatched in aid without any strings. China’s gift of the Bandaranaike Memorial Internationally Conference Hall is well known. There are hundreds of Chinese aided projects in Sri Lanka. In recent times, China’s close co-operation during the final years of the terrorist war is incomparable. Apart from the Noracholai Power plant and Hambantota Harbour and Airport projects, Sri Lankans have no qualms about hooking up with their sincere Chinese friends. Quite unlike others, they have no ulterior motives.
It is a pity that some countries don’t understand our very special relationship with China, which is a good example of the type of relationship that countries must maintain in international affairs. (The Island)
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