Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, on Wednesday (Mar 27) announced that China will help the island nation build its strategic deep sea port and an airport in the capital city of Colombo. The two countries also signed nine new agreements amid Sri Lanka’s efforts to restructure and revive its bankrupt economy.

Gunawardena said China would “assist” Sri Lanka in restructuring its external debt, which is a key condition for the $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout and also offered “assistance to develop” Colombo International Airport and Hambantota port.&nbsp;

<h2>Sri Lanka PM’s visit</h2>

The Sri Lankan PM is in the midst of a crucial six-day visit to China – the island’s biggest bilateral creditor – during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qing.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan: China firm suspend power project after five engineers killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attack

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China has yet to respond to the debt restructuring assistance claim made by Gunawardena’s office since the plans have not been made public, reported news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan PM’s office said that the Chinese premier had promised Beijing would “assist Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process continuously and help Sri Lanka to develop its economy.”

China has offered “assistance to develop” Colombo International Airport and Hambantota port, said a statement from Gunawardena’s office.&nbsp;

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Hambantota, in southern Sri Lanka, was handed to a Chinese state-owned company in 2017 on a 99-year lease for $1.12 billion.&nbsp;

The move has since sparked security concerns in India with New Delhi saying that the port could be used by Chinese research vessels for espionage.&nbsp;

However, Sri Lanka has maintained that their ports will not be used for any military purposes.&nbsp;

<h2>Xi reaffirms ties</h2>

During his meeting with Gunawardena, Xi reportedly called for the consolidation of friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka and said that Beijing is willing to work with Colombo to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact.&nbsp;

He also called on Sri Lanka to join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, according to an official statement.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-strongly-condemns-terrorist-attack-on-chinese-nationals-in-pakistan-704876">China ‘strongly condemns’ terrorist attack on Chinese nationals in Pakistan</a>

China is Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral lender and owned 52 per cent of the $40 billion external debt when Colombo announced its sovereign default in 2022.

The Sri Lankan PM’s visit came days after the IMF concluded its second review of the $2.9 billion bailout.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, on Wednesday (Mar 27) announced that China will help the island nation build its strategic deep sea port and an airport in the capital city of Colombo.

Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, on Wednesday (Mar 27) announced that China will help the island nation build its strategic deep sea port and an airport in the capital city of Colombo. The two countries also signed nine new agreements amid Sri Lanka’s efforts to restructure and revive its bankrupt economy. Gunawardena said China would “assist” Sri Lanka in restructuring its external debt, which is a key condition for the $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout and also offered “assistance to develop” Colombo International Airport and Hambantota port. Sri Lanka PM’s visit The Sri Lankan PM is in the midst of a crucial six-day visit to China – the island’s biggest bilateral creditor – during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qing. WATCH | Pakistan: China firm suspend power project after five engineers killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attack China has yet to respond to the debt restructuring assistance claim made by Gunawardena’s office since the plans have not been made public, reported news agency AFP. The Sri Lankan PM’s office said that the Chinese premier had promised Beijing would “assist Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process continuously and help Sri Lanka to develop its economy.” China has offered “assistance to develop” Colombo International Airport and Hambantota port, said a statement from Gunawardena’s office. Also Read | Baltimore bridge collapse: Joe Biden appreciates quick SOS sent by Indian crew on ship Hambantota, in southern Sri Lanka, was handed to a Chinese state-owned company in 2017 on a 99-year lease for $1.12 billion. The move has since sparked security concerns in India with New Delhi saying that the port could be used by Chinese research vessels for espionage. However, Sri Lanka has maintained that their ports will not be used for any military purposes. Xi reaffirms ties During his meeting with Gunawardena, Xi reportedly called for the consolidation of friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka and said that Beijing is willing to work with Colombo to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact. He also called on Sri Lanka to join hands to advance their strategic cooperative partnership featuring sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship, according to an official statement. Also Read | China ‘strongly condemns’ terrorist attack on Chinese nationals in Pakistan China is Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral lender and owned 52 per cent of the $40 billion external debt when Colombo announced its sovereign default in 2022. The Sri Lankan PM’s visit came days after the IMF concluded its second review of the $2.9 billion bailout. (With inputs from agencies)

China to ‘assist’ in developing strategic deep sea port, says Sri Lanka PM amid visit to Beijing

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Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will offer prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala on Tuesday, a temple official said.

An ardent devotee of the ancient hill temple, Rajapaksa, who is now on a four-day state visit to India on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since yesterday, would arrive at Renigunta airport near here on Monday night, the temple official told PTI.

A 19-member Sri Lankan delegation including two ministers A Thondaman and KN Devananda, would also accompany the PM of neighbouring island nation during his spiritual visit here.

After offering his obeisance to Lord Venkateswara here, Rajapaksa would immediately emplane for Colombo, he added.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will offer prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala on Tuesday, a temple official said.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will offer prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala on Tuesday, a temple official said. An ardent devotee of the ancient hill temple, Rajapaksa, who is now on a four-day state visit to India on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since yesterday, would arrive at Renigunta airport near here on Monday night, the temple official told PTI. A 19-member Sri Lankan delegation including two ministers A Thondaman and KN Devananda, would also accompany the PM of neighbouring island nation during his spiritual visit here. After offering his obeisance to Lord Venkateswara here, Rajapaksa would immediately emplane for Colombo, he added.

Sri Lanka PM to offer prayers at Lord Venkateswara temple on February 11

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-missing-in-ethnic-civil-war-are-dead-sri-lankan-president-rajapaksa-275604">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a> will be on a state <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sri-lankan-president-ajit-doval-discuss-cooperation-on-intelligence-sharing-maritime-security-275297">visit to India</a> from February 8 to 11, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.

"Sri Lankan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-gotabaya-rajapaksas-big-admission-of-sri-lankan-civil-war-275826">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a> will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11. He will arrive on February 7. February 8 will be main engagement day where he will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said while addressing a press conference here.

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He informed that after his official engagement in Delhi, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister will travel to Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodhgaya, and Tirupati.

The MEA spokesperson pointed out that there has been a series of high-level visits between the two countries with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha choosing India as the first destination to visit after he assumed his position as the president immediately after his election victory.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. "Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. "Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will be on a state visit to India from February 8 to 11. He will arrive on February 7. February 8 will be main engagement day where he will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said while addressing a press conference here. Also Read: Sri Lanka imposes visa restriction on Chinese tourists amid coronavirus outbreak He informed that after his official engagement in Delhi, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister will travel to Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodhgaya, and Tirupati. The MEA spokesperson pointed out that there has been a series of high-level visits between the two countries with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksha choosing India as the first destination to visit after he assumed his position as the president immediately after his election victory.

Latest South Asia News - Ministry of External Affairs announces Sri Lanka PM Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit to India from February 8 to 11

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