Beijing imposing sanctions against Sri Lanka after Columbo rejected the fertilizer consignment of a Chinese firm underscores the souring relations between the two countries, said a think tank, Policy Research Group (POREG).

China weaved its way into Sri Lanka through its cunning policy of lending shoulder to countries shunned by international communities for poor human rights records.Similarly, Beijing warmed up to Colombo when Sri Lanka became an outcast state with allegations of state-sponsored human rights abuses during Tamil Tigers-led insurgency in the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-battles-fuel-shortage-amid-foreign-exchange-crisis-455292">Sri Lanka battles fuel shortage amid foreign exchange crisis</a>

In 2007, when the USA ended its military aid to Sri Lanka and India refused to sell offensive weapons, China along with military equipment provided aid of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka, the think tank reported. With its habitual policy of promising economic assistance to a pariah state, Beijing has now Colombo enmeshed in a debt trap, luring it with the bait called the 'Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)'.

In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced massive loans and investments for Colombo including the development of the Hambantota port. However, China gained control of Hambantota on a 99-year lease in a debt-swapping deal to the tune of USD 1.2 billion, POREG reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-getting-closer-to-india-to-deal-with-chinese-debt-trap-454776">Sri Lanka getting closer to India to deal with Chinese 'debt trap'</a>

Another Chinese venture, Colombo Port City development project, worth USD 1.4 billion, is also being criticised for Beijing trying to turn a key section of the capital city into a Chinese colony under the garb of transforming Colombo's waterfront.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Sri Lanka in January 2022 also did not offer any respite to the island nation that immediately needs to repay nearly USD 2 billion to Beijing.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka faces economic crisis, India ready to make investment in island-nation

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-faces-economic-crisis-india-ready-to-make-investment-in-island-nation-455746/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Notably, Sri Lanka's foreign debt obligations are to the tune of over USD 7 billion, according to the think tank.Sri Lanka's dynamic relations with China demonstrate that Beijing stops at nothing when it comes to the promotion of its own strategic interests.

"The Bamboo Capitalist has proved to be worst than the Shakespearian Shylock with no concern whatsoever for the Lankan plight," the think tank quoted a Lankan diplomat as saying.

Beijing imposing sanctions against Sri Lanka after Columbo rejected the fertilizer consignment of a Chinese firm underscores the souring relations between the two countries, said a think tank, Policy Research Group (POREG).

Beijing imposing sanctions against Sri Lanka after Columbo rejected the fertilizer consignment of a Chinese firm underscores the souring relations between the two countries, said a think tank, Policy Research Group (POREG). China weaved its way into Sri Lanka through its cunning policy of lending shoulder to countries shunned by international communities for poor human rights records.Similarly, Beijing warmed up to Colombo when Sri Lanka became an outcast state with allegations of state-sponsored human rights abuses during Tamil Tigers-led insurgency in the country. Also read | Sri Lanka battles fuel shortage amid foreign exchange crisis In 2007, when the USA ended its military aid to Sri Lanka and India refused to sell offensive weapons, China along with military equipment provided aid of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka, the think tank reported. With its habitual policy of promising economic assistance to a pariah state, Beijing has now Colombo enmeshed in a debt trap, luring it with the bait called the 'Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)'. In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced massive loans and investments for Colombo including the development of the Hambantota port. However, China gained control of Hambantota on a 99-year lease in a debt-swapping deal to the tune of USD 1.2 billion, POREG reported. Also read | Sri Lanka getting closer to India to deal with Chinese 'debt trap' Another Chinese venture, Colombo Port City development project, worth USD 1.4 billion, is also being criticised for Beijing trying to turn a key section of the capital city into a Chinese colony under the garb of transforming Colombo's waterfront. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Sri Lanka in January 2022 also did not offer any respite to the island nation that immediately needs to repay nearly USD 2 billion to Beijing. Watch | Sri Lanka faces economic crisis, India ready to make investment in island-nation Notably, Sri Lanka's foreign debt obligations are to the tune of over USD 7 billion, according to the think tank.Sri Lanka's dynamic relations with China demonstrate that Beijing stops at nothing when it comes to the promotion of its own strategic interests. "The Bamboo Capitalist has proved to be worst than the Shakespearian Shylock with no concern whatsoever for the Lankan plight," the think tank quoted a Lankan diplomat as saying.

Beijing's strategic interests outweigh Sri Lanka-China relations

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pardoned 16 men linked to the Tamil Tiger rebel group. A total of 94 prisoners were granted the special presidential pardon on the occasion of the Buddhist festival Poson Poya.

Sri Lanka: Prez Rajapaksa pardons 16 men linked to Tamil Tigers rebel group

Sri Lanka's president pardoned 16 men linked to the Tamil Tiger rebels on Thursday, as the country faced renewed pressure from the UN over detentions without charge under an anti-terrorism law.

The pardon is a first for people linked to the Tigers since Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to power in 2019 on a nationalist agenda, which included a promise that troops who crushed the rebels would not be prosecuted.

The men were convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) that gives security forces sweeping powers to arrest and detain suspects.&nbsp;

The UN Human Rights Council and other international rights groups have called for it to be repealed.&nbsp;

"The 16 Tamil detainees are among 94 prisoners who received a presidential pardon," prison superintendent Chandana Ekanayake said about the release that came on the Buddhist festival of Poson.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/almost-2000-venezuelan-refugees-murdered-in-colombia-in-five-years-ngo-says-393564">Also Read |&nbsp;Almost 2,000 Venezuelan refugees murdered in Colombia in five years, NGO says</a>

The men had been behind bars for at least a decade, he added.

Government officials said the release was the first phase of a plan to free all those held or charged under the PTA.

Another 78 people arrested under the law on suspicion of supporting the separatist Tamil Tigers have been in custody for decades, political sources from the Tamil community told AFP.

Lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa, the president's nephew and son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, told parliament this week that some of those detained had been in jail since before he was born in&nbsp;1986.

He added that his government is working to free them. The law allows suspects to be held without charge for long periods of time.&nbsp;

The UN Human Rights Council last week&nbsp;urged the government to either charge or release those detained under the PTA, including human rights activists who were recently arrested.&nbsp;

Critics warn the law is being used as a weapon targeting dissidents and minorities in the fractured country.

The Tigers were crushed in a no-holds-barred military campaign that ended in May 2009.

International rights groups, including the UN, have called on Sri Lanka to ensure accountability for atrocities allegedly committed when thousands of civilians were killed in the final stages of the 37-year separatist war.

The military has denied the allegations and the Rajapaksa government has slammed the criticism as politically motivated.

Sri Lanka's president pardoned 16 men linked to the Tamil Tiger rebels on Thursday, as the country faced renewed pressure from the UN over detentions without charge under an anti-terrorism law.

Sri Lanka's president pardoned 16 men linked to the Tamil Tiger rebels on Thursday, as the country faced renewed pressure from the UN over detentions without charge under an anti-terrorism law. The pardon is a first for people linked to the Tigers since Gotabaya Rajapaksa came to power in 2019 on a nationalist agenda, which included a promise that troops who crushed the rebels would not be prosecuted. The men were convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) that gives security forces sweeping powers to arrest and detain suspects. The UN Human Rights Council and other international rights groups have called for it to be repealed. "The 16 Tamil detainees are among 94 prisoners who received a presidential pardon," prison superintendent Chandana Ekanayake said about the release that came on the Buddhist festival of Poson. Also Read | Almost 2,000 Venezuelan refugees murdered in Colombia in five years, NGO says The men had been behind bars for at least a decade, he added. Government officials said the release was the first phase of a plan to free all those held or charged under the PTA. Another 78 people arrested under the law on suspicion of supporting the separatist Tamil Tigers have been in custody for decades, political sources from the Tamil community told AFP. Lawmaker Namal Rajapaksa, the president's nephew and son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, told parliament this week that some of those detained had been in jail since before he was born in 1986. He added that his government is working to free them. The law allows suspects to be held without charge for long periods of time. The UN Human Rights Council last week urged the government to either charge or release those detained under the PTA, including human rights activists who were recently arrested. Critics warn the law is being used as a weapon targeting dissidents and minorities in the fractured country. The Tigers were crushed in a no-holds-barred military campaign that ended in May 2009. International rights groups, including the UN, have called on Sri Lanka to ensure accountability for atrocities allegedly committed when thousands of civilians were killed in the final stages of the 37-year separatist war. The military has denied the allegations and the Rajapaksa government has slammed the criticism as politically motivated.

Sri Lanka pardons suspected Tamil Tigers convicted under terrorism law

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who spearheaded the brutal crushing of Tamil Tigers a decade ago, stormed to power Sunday but promised to be a president for all Sri Lanka's races and religions after a divisive election.

Seven months after Islamist extremist attacks that killed 269 people, Rajapaksa was elected on Saturday on the back of a nationalist campaign promising security and to crush religious extremism in the Buddhist-majority country.

However, Rajapaksa's triumph will alarm Sri Lanka's Tamil and Muslim minorities as well as activists, journalists and possibly some in the international community following the 2005-15 presidency of his older brother Mahinda Rajapaksa.

On Sunday Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 70, thanked all voters in an election that heightened ethnic and religious tensions in a country that only a decade ago emerged from a brutal civil war that cost 100,000 lives.

"I am conscious that I am also the president of those who used the vote against me," he said as he was formally declared the hands-down winner with 52.25 per cent of the vote.

"It is my duty to serve all Sri Lankans without race or religious discrimination," he said. "I promise to discharge my duties in a fair manner."

Election results showed minority Tamil and Muslim communities voting overwhelmingly for the ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa who came a distant second with 41.99 per cent.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, with Gotabaya -- nicknamed "Terminator" by his own family -- effectively running the security forces, ended a 37-year civil war with Tamil separatists.

His decade in power was also marked by alleged rights abuses, murky extra-judicial killings and closer ties with China.

"I didn't sleep all night," said student Devni, 22, one of around 30 people who gathered outside Rajapaksa's Colombo residence. "I am so excited, he is the president we need."

Premadasa, 52, of the ruling party, conceded the race and congratulated Rajapaksa and urged him to implement his manifesto promising tax cuts, free food rations and subsidies to farmers.

Rajapaksa is due to be sworn in on Monday at the ancient north-central Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura. Turnout in Saturday's vote was 83.7 per cent.

Intelligence failure

Saturday's poll was the first popularity test of the United National Party (UNP) government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is under pressure from his cabinet colleagues to step down.

Wickremesinghe's administration failed to prevent the April attacks despite prior and detailed intelligence warnings from India, according to a parliamentary investigation.

On Sunday three cabinet members resigned -- including Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Premadasa is the son of assassinated ex-president Ranasinghe Premadasa who fell victim to a Tamil rebel suicide bomber in May 1993.

But Gotabaya is adored by the Sinhalese majority and the powerful Buddhist clergy for how he and Mahinda ended the war in 2009 when 40,000 Tamil civilians allegedly perished at the hands of the army.

Under his brother, Gotabaya was defence secretary and effectively ran the security forces, allegedly overseeing "death squads" that bumped off rivals, journalists and others. He denies the allegations.

This makes the brothers detested and feared among many Tamils, who make up 15 per cent of the population. Some in the Muslim community -- who make up 10 per cent -- are also fearful of Gotabaya, having faced days of mob violence in the wake of the April attacks.

Under Mahinda, Sri Lanka also borrowed heavily from China for infrastructure projects and even allowed two Chinese submarines to dock in Colombo in 2014, alarming Western countries as well as India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Sunday that India looked forward to "deepening the close and fraternal ties... and for peace, prosperity as well as security in our region".

The projects ballooned Sri Lanka's debts and many turned into white elephants -- such as an airport in the south devoid of airlines -- mired in corruption allegations.

Unlike in 2015 when there were bomb attacks and shootings, this election was relatively peaceful by the standards of Sri Lanka's fiery politics.

The only major incident was on Saturday when gunmen fired at two vehicles in a convoy of at least 100 buses taking Muslim voters to cast ballots. Two people were injured.

According to the Election Commission, the contest was, however, the worst ever for hate speech and misinformation.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who spearheaded the brutal crushing of Tamil Tigers a decade ago, stormed to power Sunday but promised to be a president for all Sri Lanka's races and religions after a divisive election.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who spearheaded the brutal crushing of Tamil Tigers a decade ago, stormed to power Sunday but promised to be a president for all Sri Lanka's races and religions after a divisive election. Seven months after Islamist extremist attacks that killed 269 people, Rajapaksa was elected on Saturday on the back of a nationalist campaign promising security and to crush religious extremism in the Buddhist-majority country. However, Rajapaksa's triumph will alarm Sri Lanka's Tamil and Muslim minorities as well as activists, journalists and possibly some in the international community following the 2005-15 presidency of his older brother Mahinda Rajapaksa. On Sunday Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 70, thanked all voters in an election that heightened ethnic and religious tensions in a country that only a decade ago emerged from a brutal civil war that cost 100,000 lives. "I am conscious that I am also the president of those who used the vote against me," he said as he was formally declared the hands-down winner with 52.25 per cent of the vote. "It is my duty to serve all Sri Lankans without race or religious discrimination," he said. "I promise to discharge my duties in a fair manner." Election results showed minority Tamil and Muslim communities voting overwhelmingly for the ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa who came a distant second with 41.99 per cent. Mahinda Rajapaksa, with Gotabaya -- nicknamed "Terminator" by his own family -- effectively running the security forces, ended a 37-year civil war with Tamil separatists. His decade in power was also marked by alleged rights abuses, murky extra-judicial killings and closer ties with China. "I didn't sleep all night," said student Devni, 22, one of around 30 people who gathered outside Rajapaksa's Colombo residence. "I am so excited, he is the president we need." Premadasa, 52, of the ruling party, conceded the race and congratulated Rajapaksa and urged him to implement his manifesto promising tax cuts, free food rations and subsidies to farmers. Rajapaksa is due to be sworn in on Monday at the ancient north-central Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura. Turnout in Saturday's vote was 83.7 per cent. Intelligence failure Saturday's poll was the first popularity test of the United National Party (UNP) government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is under pressure from his cabinet colleagues to step down. Wickremesinghe's administration failed to prevent the April attacks despite prior and detailed intelligence warnings from India, according to a parliamentary investigation. On Sunday three cabinet members resigned -- including Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Premadasa is the son of assassinated ex-president Ranasinghe Premadasa who fell victim to a Tamil rebel suicide bomber in May 1993. But Gotabaya is adored by the Sinhalese majority and the powerful Buddhist clergy for how he and Mahinda ended the war in 2009 when 40,000 Tamil civilians allegedly perished at the hands of the army. Under his brother, Gotabaya was defence secretary and effectively ran the security forces, allegedly overseeing "death squads" that bumped off rivals, journalists and others. He denies the allegations. This makes the brothers detested and feared among many Tamils, who make up 15 per cent of the population. Some in the Muslim community -- who make up 10 per cent -- are also fearful of Gotabaya, having faced days of mob violence in the wake of the April attacks. Under Mahinda, Sri Lanka also borrowed heavily from China for infrastructure projects and even allowed two Chinese submarines to dock in Colombo in 2014, alarming Western countries as well as India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Sunday that India looked forward to "deepening the close and fraternal ties... and for peace, prosperity as well as security in our region". The projects ballooned Sri Lanka's debts and many turned into white elephants -- such as an airport in the south devoid of airlines -- mired in corruption allegations. Unlike in 2015 when there were bomb attacks and shootings, this election was relatively peaceful by the standards of Sri Lanka's fiery politics. The only major incident was on Saturday when gunmen fired at two vehicles in a convoy of at least 100 buses taking Muslim voters to cast ballots. Two people were injured. According to the Election Commission, the contest was, however, the worst ever for hate speech and misinformation.

'It's my duty to serve all Sri Lankans without race, religious discrimination: Newly elected President Rajapaksa

Sri Lankan police on Saturday hunted a former navy chief linked to the kidnap and murder of 11 people in an extortion case that has attracted international condemnation.

Wasantha Karannagoda, 66, was added to a list of 14 men accused of abducting children from wealthy families in 2008-2009 and later killing them.

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake on Friday impounded the retired admiral's passport as police feared he would attempt to flee the country.

The four allegations against Karannagoda include conspiracy to murder, which carries the death penalty.

"We have launched a search for him," a police official told AFP. "We have alerted all ports of exit."&nbsp;

One of Karannagoda's successors, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the current head of Sri Lanka's military, has been on bail since December after being accused of helping one of the suspects to avoid arrest.

Police told the court that the 11 victims were killed while in the illegal custody of the navy, although their bodies have never found.

Investigators believe the number of victims to be at least three times higher.

Police said that the victims were not linked to Tamil rebels and had been kidnapped purely to extort money from their families.

The killings of the young men have been widely condemned and international rights organisations have repeatedly demanded accountability.

The case was reopened only after President Mahinda Rajapakse lost his reelection bid in January 2015 elections.

Several intelligence officers also face prosecution over the murder of journalists critical of Rajapakse, whose decade in power was marred by allegations of war crimes and grave rights abuses.

Military figures have been accused of extrajudicial killings during the 37-year war against the Tamil Tiger separatist movement.

The final days of the offensive that eventually crushed the rebels were marked by major abuses, according to rights groups. A UN panel said 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final stages of the war that ended in May 2009.&nbsp;

Sri Lankan police on Saturday hunted a former navy chief linked to the kidnap and murder of 11 people in an extortion case that has attracted international condemnation.

Sri Lankan police on Saturday hunted a former navy chief linked to the kidnap and murder of 11 people in an extortion case that has attracted international condemnation. Wasantha Karannagoda, 66, was added to a list of 14 men accused of abducting children from wealthy families in 2008-2009 and later killing them. Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake on Friday impounded the retired admiral's passport as police feared he would attempt to flee the country. The four allegations against Karannagoda include conspiracy to murder, which carries the death penalty. "We have launched a search for him," a police official told AFP. "We have alerted all ports of exit." One of Karannagoda's successors, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the current head of Sri Lanka's military, has been on bail since December after being accused of helping one of the suspects to avoid arrest. Police told the court that the 11 victims were killed while in the illegal custody of the navy, although their bodies have never found. Investigators believe the number of victims to be at least three times higher. Police said that the victims were not linked to Tamil rebels and had been kidnapped purely to extort money from their families. The killings of the young men have been widely condemned and international rights organisations have repeatedly demanded accountability. The case was reopened only after President Mahinda Rajapakse lost his reelection bid in January 2015 elections. Several intelligence officers also face prosecution over the murder of journalists critical of Rajapakse, whose decade in power was marred by allegations of war crimes and grave rights abuses. Military figures have been accused of extrajudicial killings during the 37-year war against the Tamil Tiger separatist movement. The final days of the offensive that eventually crushed the rebels were marked by major abuses, according to rights groups. A UN panel said 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final stages of the war that ended in May 2009.

Sri Lanka in manhunt for ex-admiral linked to extortion killings

Sri Lanka&#39;s President Maithripala Sirisena has asked US President-elect Donald trump to urge the&nbsp;UN Human Rights Council to war crime charges against its military.

The Sinhalese-majority Sri Lankan army has been accused of of killing almost 40,000 Tamils during the final fight against Tamil Tigers in 2009.

The UNHRC has since asked the Lankan government to probe the war crimes, pay compensation to families of victims in an ethnic war that spanned 37 years and killed around 100,000 lives.

Sirisena&#39;s office on Sunday said they had sent a message to Trump, asking him to intervene in the matter. &nbsp;

&quot;I sent a special message to Donald Trump asking him to support us at the (council),&quot; the President said. &quot;I am asking him to help completely clear my country (of war crimes allegations) and allow us to start afresh.&quot;

The Sri Lankan president said he had made a similar request to the incoming&nbsp;UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.&nbsp;

The country&#39;s military had waged a decades-long war against cessationists Tamil Tigers because the latter wanted to carve out a Tamil state in the north and &nbsp;east of the country.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Lankan government was asked by UNHRC to probe war crimes, pay compensation to families of victims in an ethnic war spanning 37 years

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena has asked US President-elect Donald trump to urge the UN Human Rights Council to war crime charges against its military. The Sinhalese-majority Sri Lankan army has been accused of of killing almost 40,000 Tamils during the final fight against Tamil Tigers in 2009. The UNHRC has since asked the Lankan government to probe the war crimes, pay compensation to families of victims in an ethnic war that spanned 37 years and killed around 100,000 lives. Sirisena's office on Sunday said they had sent a message to Trump, asking him to intervene in the matter. "I sent a special message to Donald Trump asking him to support us at the (council)," the President said. "I am asking him to help completely clear my country (of war crimes allegations) and allow us to start afresh." The Sri Lankan president said he had made a similar request to the incoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The country's military had waged a decades-long war against cessationists Tamil Tigers because the latter wanted to carve out a Tamil state in the north and east of the country. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Sri Lanka asks Donald Trump to help drop war crime charges at UN

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Beijing's strategic interests outweigh Sri Lanka-China relations

Sri Lanka: Prez Rajapaksa pardons 16 men linked to Tamil Tigers rebel group

Sri Lanka pardons suspected Tamil Tigers convicted under terrorism law

'It's my duty to serve all Sri Lankans without race, religious discrimination: Newly elected President Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka in manhunt for ex-admiral linked to extortion killings

Sri Lanka asks Donald Trump to help drop war crime charges at UN