June 6, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
International agreement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing enters into force. Image credit - cboswell /depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
IMF approves monetary support to Sri Lanka
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an External Fund Facility of USD 1.5 billion to Sri Lanka, under a three year programme aimed at reviving the Sri Lankan economy.
The proposed IMF-supported programme aims to provide a policy anchor for macroeconomic stability and structural reforms, while strengthening external resiliency.
MoU signed to develop Trincomalee port city
The government of Sri Lanka and the Singaporean infrastructure consultancy, Surbana Jurong Private Limited, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the eastern port city of Trincomalee.
Under the MoU, Surbana Jurong will develop a long-term strategic plan for the Trincomalee metropolitan area and surrounding cities in the Eastern Province.
Sri Lankan President to make a second official visit to China
President Sirisena has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit China in the near future.
The Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Mahinda Samarasinghe, stated that the proposed visit will further boost relations between the two countries.
New fishing agreement enters into force
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing has entered into force.
The agreement is now legally binding for the EU and 29 countries, including Sri Lanka.
Asian defence summit concluded
The 15th Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s largest defence summit, was held in Singapore from the 3-5 June. Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Defence, Karunasena Hettiarachchi, attended the event.
The summit brought together defense and military chiefs, academics, diplomats, and corporate executives from over 20 countries, for a series of open and closed-door talks on Asian security issues.
Indian PM on five-nation visit
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has arrived in Switzerland, following visits to Afghanistan and Qatar as a part of his official five-nation tour.
In Afghanistan, Prime Minister Modi and President Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the USD 290 million Salma Dam hydroelectric power project in Herat province. The Prime Minister also signed a number of agreements with the Qatari government, including memorandums on tourism, financial cooperation, and health care cooperation.
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