IANS
|
|
Sri Lanka yesterday said it will not act in any prejudicial manner against India’s interests so that no agreements are needed to maintain its goodwill with its neighbour.
“We will not let our country used by anybody to act against security and safety of India,” External Affairs Minister GL Peiris told the Sri Lankan parliament yesterday.
Peiris was responding to a query raised by main opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He sought explanation over reports that China National Aero-Technology Import-Export Corporation (CATIC) has been permitted to establish an aircraft base maintenance centre in the eastern port district of
Trincomalee.
Wickremesinghe said Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had raised the issue with Peiris in New Delhi.
“Madam Swaraj made inquiries on the issue but they were all friendly queries,” Peiris said.
Peiris accused Wickremesinghe of trying to fish in troubled waters.
“There will not be a problem with India over this,” Peiris said, adding: “Sri Lanka was far from making a firm decision on making Trincomalee the location for the facility which is going to be built at a cost of $40mn.
“We have considered some options but there is no decision about Trincomalee,” Peiris said.
Lanka, Vietnam to work closely in fighting crimes: Vietnam and Sri Lanka have agreed to step up co-operation in fighting transnational crimes involving e-commerce and credit, Sri Lanka’s government said yesterday.
During a meeting between Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Sri Lankan secretary to the ministry of law and order Nanda Mallawarachchi, who is paying a visit to Vietnam, Phuc has asked Sri Lanka to work closely with Vietnam to fight crimes, especially those involving e-commerce and credit, as per their signed agreements.
The Vietnamese deputy prime minister has asked for closer bilateral collaboration to ensure security and safety for high-ranking delegations, as well as for trade, investment, studies and tourism activities in each country.
Phuc thanked Sri Lanka for backing Vietnam’s bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) from 2014 to 2016, UN Economic and Social Council from 2016 to 2018, and on the UN Security Council from 2020 to 2022.
