May 18, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
President Maithripala Sirisena to attend G7 summit in Japan. Image credit - news.lk
Reading Time: 2 min read
Italian Deputy Foreign Minister visits Sri Lanka
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, Senator Benedetto Della Vedova, is currently in Sri Lanka on an official visit. The visit will contribute towards renewing bilateral relations with a focus on establishing new avenues for increasing trade cooperation.
Senator Benedetto Della Vedova is scheduled to meet various Sri Lankan Ministers, and will be accompanied by a business delegation that specialises in the apparel and renewable energy sectors.
US Ambassador speaks on RTI bill
The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Atul Keshap, has stated that the proposed citizens’ Right to Information (RTI) bill will give Sri Lankans the tools to make ‘the country a better place’ and will ‘prevent a return to an era of secrecy and a lack of accountability’.
Ambassador Keshap reiterated the statements made by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, in support of Sri Lanka’s progress on governance reforms and human rights commitments.
Sri Lanka to attend G7 Summit
The Acting Director General of the East Asia and Pacific Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ameer Ajwad, has stated that a Sri Lankan delegation will accompany the President to Japan for the G7 Summit.
Mr. Ameer Ajwad, also stated that this would be an opportunity to present Sri Lanka’s growth strategy. President Sirisena and the Japanese Foreign Minister will conduct bilateral meetings following the summit.
Illegal fishing accord to enter into force
The Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) is scheduled to come into force on the 5th of June 2016, having reached the required threshold of 30 signatories, including Sri Lanka.
The PSMA is the first international treaty that specially targets the combating of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.
US eases economic sanctions on Myanmar
The US has removed 10 Burmese state-owned companies in the banking, timber, and mining industries from its blacklist, in support of ongoing political reforms in Myanmar.
In addition, the US is easing restrictions on Americans living in Myanmar, and is loosening regulations on US companies operating in the country.
Australian elections scheduled
The Australian federal election has been scheduled for 2 July 2016.
The Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, announced that both houses of Parliament will be dissolved and every Member of Parliament, including senators, will need to run for re-election.
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