April 19, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Global oil prices continue to fall. Image credit - solarseven/depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
Sri Lanka signs MOU with Japan and India
The University of Sri Jayawardanapura is scheduled to sign a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science (AIST) and the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) of Japan as well as the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Ministry of Science & Technology of India.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for further collaboration in the field of science and technology between the three nations.
Sri Lanka invited to attend G7 summit
President Maithripala Sirisena has been invited to attend an outreach meeting during the G7 Ise-Shima Summit to be held in May.
World leaders from Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Papua New Guinea, as well as chairpersons of the UN Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development, Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have also been invited to attend the summit.
Sri Lanka to attend UN Special Session on the World Drug Problem
The Chairman of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Professor Ravindra Fernando, and Minister Sagala Ratnayaka will attend the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem.
The session is expected to be an important milestone towards achieving the goals set in the 2009 Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem.
Syrian opposition postpones participation in Geneva talks
The Syrian opposition has requested that the UN suspend peace talks until President Assad’s government shows further commitment to the peace process.
The move comes amidst allegations that President Assad’s forces targeted displaced persons and residential neighbourhoods in the north of the country.
Global oil prices continue to fall
Saudi Arabia has refused to back an agreement on temporarily freezing oil outputs at the joint meeting between OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers.
Saudi Arabia stated that it would comply only if Iran, who has been increasing its output following the lifting of sanctions, were to also become party to the agreement.
South Korea’s ruling party loses parliamentary majority
The Saenuri party which held South Korea’s parliamentary majority for 16 years has lost the general election.
The Saenuri party has won 122 out of 300 seats while the opposition Minjoo party won 123 seats.
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