August 26, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Jim Yong Kim has been nominated to be President of the World Bank for a second term. Image credit - Qingwa /depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
UN Secretary-General to visit Sri Lanka
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, will arrive in Sri Lanka on an official visit from 31 August-2 September, as part of a five-stop tour of Asia.
While in the country, Secretary-General Ban will meet President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, and other government officials. He will deliver a keynote speech on the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on Goal 16, which promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Sri Lanka seeks Indian support for East Container Terminal
The Minister of Ports and Shipping, Arjuna Ranatunga, has announced that Sri Lanka expects a consortium to bid for USD 400 million contract, to construct the Colombo East port terminal which would include a company with at least a 20% stake from the Indian subcontinent.
Minister Ranatunga stated that 65% of cargo from Sri Lanka goes to India and 72% goes to the rest of the Indian subcontinent. At present, 20 companies, including two Chinese companies, have obtained the bidding documents.
WHO-SEARO conference to be held in Sri Lanka
The South-East Asia Regional Office of the World Health Organisation (WHO), will host the 69th session of the WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO) Regional Committee in Colombo from 6-9 September.
Approximately 250 delegates from more than 15 countries, including the Ministers of Health of the 11 member states, are expected to attend the 69th session . The conference will provide an opportunity to discuss impediments and advancements in the health sector at both a national and regional level.
US Navy fires warning shots at Iranian vessel
The United States Navy has fired three warning shots at an Iranian military vessel which was travelling towards two of their ships, in the Northern Gulf area. The Iranian Defence Minister, Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan, stated that the US vessels were in Iranian waters.
A US Defence official stated that the shots were fired after warning flares were ignored.
Russia agrees to Aleppo truce
Russia has agreed to a weekly 48 hour humanitarian ceasefire in Aleppo, Syria, which has been requested by the UN. The truce will allow aid to be provided to approximately 2 million people.
US State Department spokeswoman, Elizabeth Trudeau, stated that the US supports the UN’s request, but is focused on ending the conflict across Syria. Senior Advisor, Jan Egeland, stated they are waiting for actors on the ground to confirm the humanitarian ceasefire, to implement the Aleppo emergency response plan.
Jim Yong Kim nominated for a second term as president of the World Bank
US President, Barack Obama, has nominated the President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, for a second consecutive term on 25 August. This followed a call for nominations made by the Board of the World Bank.
The deadline to submit nominations is 14 September, and the Board of the World Bank stated that a decision will be taken in the following two to three weeks.
Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Russia, US, UN Secretary- General, Aleppo, WHO, World Bank, WHO-SEARO
24 Horton Place
Colombo 7
Sri Lanka
A think tank engaging in independent research of Sri Lanka’s international relations and strategic interests, to provide insights and recommendations that advance justice, peace, prosperity, and sustainability.
