May 23, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Turkey elects new Prime Minister. Image credit - miklyxa13 /depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
International community assists flood relief efforts
India, Pakistan, Australia, and the US are supporting Sri Lanka’s flood relief efforts. India has sent two naval ships and C-17 aircraft, to provide priority relief materials. Pakistan has sent a 30-bed field hospital staffed with doctors, and equipped with x-ray machines, medicines, and operation theatres.
In addition, Australia has provided USD 50,000 to the UN to provide clean water and sanitation facilities for displaced children. The US has also provided USD 50,000 worth of non-food emergency relief, including blankets, mattresses, and hygiene kits.
Japanese PM’s envoy discusses G7 summit
The Japanese Prime Minister’s Special Representative, Hiroto Izumi, has met with President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss the forthcoming G7 summit. The President is a special invitee to the Outreach Programme on Stability and Prosperity in Asia.
During the summit, President Sirisena will brief leaders on the processes undertaken to strengthen democratic institutions, judicial independence, freedom of expression and human rights, following the 2015 parliamentary elections.
Diplomatic Community briefed on flood situation
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera, the Minister of Disaster Management, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, and the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Rajitha Senaratna, have briefed the heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations on the flood and landslide situation.
The Ministers highlighted the shortages of equipment and material, and provided information on action taken to mitigate adverse health risks following the flooding.
US lifts arms embargo on Vietnam
President Barack Obama, while on an official visit to Vietnam, has announced the lifting of the US embargo on the sale of weapons to Vietnam.
The President is expected to hold discussions on pursuing stronger defence and economic ties, and will recommend the strengthening of Vietnam’s human rights mechanisms.
Cypriots vote in parliamentary elections
Cyprus’s right-wing Democratic Rally party gained 30.6% of the seats, in the 56 member House of Representatives. They were followed by Communist AKEL with 25.6% of the seats.
The polls, with a turnout of 67%, were the first since Cyprus received an economic bailout in 2013 from the International Monetary Fund and the EU.
New PM elected in Turkey
Turkey’s Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communication, Binali Yildirim, has been unanimously elected on Sunday as the Prime Minister and the leader of the ruling AK Party.
In a speech following his election, the Prime Minister called for a new constitution and the creation of an executive presidency.
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