සංවර්ධන News

[monson]

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Cooperation in Economic Projects

The Government of the Republic of India (hereinafter referred to as GOI) and the Government of the Democratic Socialist of Republic Sri Lanka (hereinafter referred to as GOSL), collectively referred to as ‘the Parties’;Reaffirming the traditionally close and friendly relations between the two countries and their continuing endeavours to enhance bilateral relations through increased economic, investment and development cooperation for the mutual benefit of their people:Have entered into the following understanding in accordance with their national laws:

ARTICLE I
OBJECTIVES
To achieve greater economic, investment and development cooperation in a progressive manner, through joint ventures and other cooperative activities that will ensure the well being of the people of the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

ARTICLE II
AREAS AND SCOPE OF COOPERATION
Both the Governments have agreed to complete the following joint projects in Sri Lanka and have agreed to work out the modalities between them at the earliest:

A regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fired 500 megawatt capacity LNG Power Plant, for which GOSL will issue a Letter of Intent to GOI or to a GOI representative by end May 2017.

An LNG Terminal / Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) in Kerawalapitiya/Colombo; a piped gas distribution system; retail outlets for supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the transportation sector; and conversion of liquid fuel-based power plants to R-LNG fired power plants in Sri Lanka. GOSL will issue a Letter of Intent for the FSRU and the LNG package to GOI by mid May 2017. For the LNG Terminal / Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) in Kerawalapitiya/Colombo, a Joint Venture will be formed among entities of Sri Lanka, India and Japan, for which modalities will be worked out by end July 2017. A Joint Working Group (JWG) will be constituted and will meet in the first half of May 2017. GOI will submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to GOSL by end August 2017 on the piped gas distribution system and retail outlets for supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the transportation sector.

A 50 MW (extendable to 100 MW) Solar Power Plant in Sasmpur, for which GOSL will issue a Letter of Intent to GOI or to a GOI representative by end May 2017.

Upper Tank Farm in Trincomalee will be jointly developed by India (Lanka IOC PLC or LIOC) and Sri Lanka (Ceylon Petroleum corporation or CPC). The Joint Venture (JV) between LIOC and CPC will be set up by end July 2017 and Business Development proposals will be prepared by the JV by September 2017. As part of the Business Development Plans, the JV will prioritize development of 10 tanks in Upper Tank Farm for exclusive use of the Government of Sri Lanka. The land of the Upper Tank Farm, which is currently in possession of Lanka IOC PLC, pursuant to the 2003 Agreement, will be leased to the JV through Lanka IOC PLC. The land of the Lower Tank Farm, which is also in possession of Lanka IOC PLC, pursuant to the 2003 Agreement, will be leased to Lanka IOC directly. The period of all the leases will be 50 years, extendable up to a maximum of 99 years by mutual consent. A Port, Petroleum Refinery and other industries in Trincomalee, for which GOSL and GOI will set up a JWG by end June 2017.Industrial Zones/Special Economic Zones in identified locations in Sri Lanka, details of which will be submitted by GOSL to GOI starting May 2017.Roads in Sri Lanka including Mannar-Jaffna and Mannar-Trincomalee Highways and Dambulla-Trincomalee Expressway under Indian investments, to facilitate which GOSL will submit to GOI by end June 2017 a list of road projects to be considered for joint development. The railway sector development in Sri Lanka including new projects of track upgradation and purchase of rolling stock, for which GOSL will submit to GOI a list of railway projects to be considered by end June 2017. A Container Terminal in Colombo Port as a Joint Venture, which includes Indian investments considering that majority of transshipment in Colombo Port is related to India. GOSL will announce the award of the contract in this regard by end May 2017.Agricultural sector and livestock development in Sri Lanka including through techno-economic cooperation, water management and promotion of agro-based industries, to facilitate which the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare of India and the Ministry of Agriculture & Ministry of Rural Economic Affairs of Sri Lanka will hold discussions and bring out a Concept Paper by end June 2017.Any other areas mutually agreed between the Parties.

ARTICLE III
FOCAL POINTS
The Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India shall act as the focal points for effective implementation of the MoU.

ARTICLE IV
AMENDMENTS
This MoU may be amended, or supplemented in writing by mutual agreement of the Parties. In witness, whereof, the following representatives duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this MoU.Done at New Delhi, on this 26th day of April 2017, in two originals in the English and Hindi languages, both texts been equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

- http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170430/co...with-india-in-mou-signed-in-delhi-238869.html

 

[monson]

India, Japan to build LNG terminal, 500MW power plant in Sri Lanka

Apr 30, 2017 07:38 AM GMT+0530

ECONOMYNEXT - India and Japan will build a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, a 500 MegaWatt power plant and a gas distribution pipeline in Sri Lanka, a media report said.

Sri Lanka will issue the Government of India a letter of intent by end May to a build an LNG floating regasification and storage unit in Kerawalapitiya, The Sunday Times newspaper said, citing a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries this week.

India will also be issued a letter of intent for a 500MW LNG fired power plant by end May.

A compressed LNG retail distribution pipeline network

A joint venture between India, Japan and Sri Lanka will be formed to build the infrastructure.

A Sri Lanka, India and Japan joint venture is to be formed by end July 2017 to carry out the project.

Sri Lanka cancelled a 500MW coal fired power plant to be built by India in Trincomalee in favour of more expensive (but cleaner) LNG, just before construction was due to begin.

Critics alleged corruption in the deal and a desire to award a thermal plant to a favoured party quickly.

Sector analysts also pointed out that the most suitable location for an LNG plant was Kerawalapitiya, near Colombo, where a terminal could be used for powering other users in the Western province and also modifying existing diesel plants to run on natural gas.

Japan had been involved in planning LNG facilities in Colombo for several years and had already helped state-run Ceylon Electricity Board conduct feasibility studies. (Colombo/Apr30/2017)

- http://www.economynext.com/India,_J..._500MW_power_plant_in_Sri_Lanka-3-7847-8.html

 

[monson]

Sri Lanka military to prepare emergency garbage disposal site

Apr 29, 2017 08:04 AM GMT+0530

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka's military is expected to help prepare a short term sanitary landfill in Muturagawela under the guidance of experts, as a short-term solution to disposing garbage in the capital Colombo.

Sri Lanka Army Engineers and the Civil Defence Department will provide men and machinery to build the under advised by the Waste Management Research unit of the University of Peradeniya.

The Cabinet of Ministers had given approval for the proposal.

At the moment about 750 metric tonnes of garbage a day is collected by the Colombo Municipal Council. About 350 metric tonnes used to be dumped in Karadiyane and 90 tonnes in Dompe.

The government believes that the waste could be reduced to 400 metric tonnes if the garbage was separated and domestic waste was composted.

The government has already awarded to companies contracts to process garbage and produce electricity and fertilizer.

However it may take up to two years for the projects to come on stream.

The short term sanitary disposal site is expected to be ready in 40 days. (Colombo/Apr29/2017)

- http://www.economynext.com/Sri_Lank...mergency_garbage_disposal_site-3-7845-13.html

 

[monson]

Sri Lanka expedites long-delayed ‘TV Digitalisation Project’

By Bandula Sirimanna


The Sri Lankan government is expediting the long-delayed ‘Digitalisation of Television Broadcasting’ project with Japanese funding although the project has not made sufficient progress last year.

Japan and Sri Lanka discussed ways and means of accelerating the project during Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent tour of Japan and talks with Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Yoshihide Suga.

Earlier the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) decided in March 2016 to revive this project which was introduced in 2014 by the previous Rajapaksa regime. Advisor to the Ministry of National Policy and Economic Affairs R. Paskaralingam has brought to the notice of the committee that Japan has agreed to provide a sum of Rs. 2.5 billion for the project implementation as a loan on extremely favourable terms and conditions for Sri Lanka.

At a recent CCEM meeting, it was revealed that the cabinet approval has been given to proceed with the project and the loan agreement has also been signed. Officials informed the CCEM that a decoder is required to be fixed to every single TV set and the funds required for this purpose will be provided by the Japanese government.

Instructions were issued by the CCEM to submit a report on additional requirement of funds for this purpose.

A steering committee has been appointed to expedite the implementation of the project suggesting a mechanism towards this end. The acting Director General of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has agreed to conduct a meeting with the steering committee and submit a report soon, the CCEM has noted.

The TV digitalisation deal between Sri Lanka and Japan came under wide criticism and accusation of corruption and commission-taking when the previous government entered into a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in September 2014.

Official sources said the present government suspended the project as the Japanese system is not widely used in countries worldwide and Sri Lanka will have to import Japanese television sets as it is very unlikely that the TV sets available in the Lankan market are compatible with the Japanese system.

Sri Lanka’s television industry has been preparing to digitalise itself for more than half a decade. But policy uncertainties have confused broadcasters and caused many delays. A recommendation was made that Sri Lanka adopt the European originated DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation) as the standard for digital terrestrial television broadcasting, or DTTB.

The original timeline was for the digital transition to begin in 2011 and culminate in 2017 with the complete analogue switch off. During that interim period, no new licences were to be issued for analogue TV broadcasting.

The sub-committee appointed by the previous regime has recommended import tax concessions to help broadcasters acquire new equipment and some subsidy to help households buy new TV receivers.

- http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170430/bu...delayed-tv-digitalisation-project-238288.html

 

[monson]

Japanese Belluna replaces James Packer in Colombo Crown

A Japanese firm will be taking over a prime block of land at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha in Fort earlier earmarked for a mixed development project for Australian gaming tycoon James Packer’s US$ 400 Crown Colombo project, officials said.

Asia Capital CEO Stephan Abeysinghe, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Marine Drive Hotel in Colombo this week, said that Asia Capital has joined hands with Japanese firm Belluna to invest around US$350-450 million in this mixed development project at the 500 perch land opposite Lake House Colombo,

However since this land had been previously leased by the Urban Development Authority to Rank Holdings company headed by Ravi Wijeratne, a local casino owner, a fresh lease has to be entered into any other party.

Earlier the BOI has reached an agreement with Wijeratne’s company to build $400 million 36-storied mixed development complex ‘Colombo Crown’ comprising a super luxury resort coupled with a mega hotel with investments from James Packer.

Although the project was suspended in 2015 by the present government, the previous lease agreement for the project with Wijeratne’s Rank Holdings is still valid, Chairman of the authority Dr. Nandana Munasinghe told the Business Times.

He added that the UDA is assessing the capability of the Japanese investor both financially and technically before giving its nod to go ahead with their project.

- http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170430/bu...ces-james-packer-in-colombo-crown-238483.html

 

[monson]

Airport Aviation agency goes ‘bananas’ turning around Ratmalana

By Sunimalee Dias

Sri Lanka’s first airport is set to get busy again with more commercial operations set to take hold as state plans get underway to develop the hub for the Colombo Airport Ratmalana as an international facility with required certification with no more “bananas” to hamper the progress.

The Ratmalana airport is set to become the next biggest development as it gears to be upgraded to entertain charter and scheduled commercial international and domestic flights.

The airport is set to become a 3C certified facility that could cater to A319, ATR, DH08 and other similar aircraft once the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) carries out an audit and ensure compliance with international standards to obtain aerodrome certification, Airport and Aviation Services Airport Manager for Colombo Airport, Ratmalana Aruna Rajapaksha said in an interview with the Business Times at his office last week.

Read more:http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170430/bu...-bananas-turning-around-ratmalana-238438.html

 

[akilar25]

India, Japan to build LNG terminal, 500MW power plant in Sri Lanka

Apr 30, 2017 07:38 AM GMT+0530

ECONOMYNEXT - India and Japan will build a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, a 500 MegaWatt power plant and a gas distribution pipeline in Sri Lanka, a media report said.

Sri Lanka will issue the Government of India a letter of intent by end May to a build an LNG floating regasification and storage unit in Kerawalapitiya, The Sunday Times newspaper said, citing a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries this week.

India will also be issued a letter of intent for a 500MW LNG fired power plant by end May.

A compressed LNG retail distribution pipeline network

A joint venture between India, Japan and Sri Lanka will be formed to build the infrastructure.

A Sri Lanka, India and Japan joint venture is to be formed by end July 2017 to carry out the project.

Sri Lanka cancelled a 500MW coal fired power plant to be built by India in Trincomalee in favour of more expensive (but cleaner) LNG, just before construction was due to begin.

Critics alleged corruption in the deal and a desire to award a thermal plant to a favoured party quickly.

Sector analysts also pointed out that the most suitable location for an LNG plant was Kerawalapitiya, near Colombo, where a terminal could be used for powering other users in the Western province and also modifying existing diesel plants to run on natural gas.

Japan had been involved in planning LNG facilities in Colombo for several years and had already helped state-run Ceylon Electricity Board conduct feasibility studies. (Colombo/Apr30/2017)

- http://www.economynext.com/India,_J..._500MW_power_plant_in_Sri_Lanka-3-7847-8.html

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[monson]

China Heavy Machinery Corp to carry out water, sewerage feasiblity

Apr 27, 2017 (LBO) – China Heavy Machinery Corporation is to carry out a feasibility study to identify and implement a reliable water and sewerage sector implementation plan in Hambantota covering the harbor and proposed special industrial zone.

Minister of Water Supply Rauff Hakeem said the water supply demand of the Hambantota area will increase in the next five to 20 years with forecast development in the area.

Hakeem said an MoU between the Chinese firm, National Water Supply and Drainage Board will be signed on the basis that the Chinese firm conducts the feasibility study at their own cost.

Sewerage disposal and treatment facilities in the area are also to be improved under this project to cater for future development.

The government has proposed to follow the Swiss Challenge procurement procedure for the implementation of identified projects under the feasibility study.

The government has recommended the Chinese firm to carry out the study and evaluate the possibility of going for EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), PPP or BOT.

Sri Lanka seeks to set up a special industrial zone under the Hambantota port development project.

- http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/...-corp-to-carry-out-water-sewerage-feasiblity/

 

[monson]

Sri Lanka's Colombo container terminal tender winner by end May

May 01, 2017 11:41 AM GMT+0530 | 0 Comment(s)

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka has promised India that the winner of a competitive tender to build a container terminal in Colombo port will be announced by end May, a media report said.

The process of selecting a build-operate-transfer (BOT) operator for Colomobo Ports, East Terminal which were called last year, has been stalled amid shifting goal posts and fears of corruption.

Sri Lanka's The Sunday Times newspaper said in a memorandum of understanding signed during a visit by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the port terminal winner would be announced by end May 2017.

Sri Lanka changed the original bidding conditions asking each consortium to include an Indian partner.

The largest shipping lines in the world including Maersk bid with Sri Lanka's John Keels and India's Concor.

Mitsui Corporation, Misubishi Logistics, Malaysia's Westport, NYK, Tata Realty and Infrastructure Limited have bid with Sri Lanka's Hayleys group.

Port of Singapore Authority, Pacific International Lines and India's Shapporji Pallonji have bid with Sri Lanka's Aitken Spence group.

However the bidding process was then put on ice, amid fears that a powerful economic committee was again asking for changes, spurring fears of corruption. (Colombo/May01/2017)

- http://www.economynext.com/Sri_Lank...rminal_tender_winner_by_end_May-3-7850-6.html

 

[monson]

යළි ඇරඹුණු ගම් උදාව තුළින් ජනතා අයිතියට පත් කෙරුණු 25 වන ආදර්ශ ගම්මානය, මොණරාගල දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ මොණරාගල - සෙවනගල ඉදි කරන ලද “දිනුජයගම” ආදර්ශ ගම්මානය සජිත් ප්‍රේමදාස මහතාගේ ප්‍රධානත්වයෙන් ජනතා අයිතියට පත් විය.

- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154714792655186.1073742588.194713160185&type=3

 

[monson]

Belluna to invest dollar millions more in Lanka

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - 01:00

Shirajiv Sirimane

Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan Managing Director Hiroshi Yasuno, President, Kiyoshi Yasuno, Special Assignments Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Asia Capital Group CEO and Director Stefan Abeyesinhe at the Marine Drive ground breaking held on Tuesday.

Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan will make more multi million dollar investments in Sri Lanka especially in the South, Kandy and the Eastern coast, Belluna Co. Ltd Japan President and CEO, Kiyoshi Yasuno said.

In an exclusive interview with Daily News Business Yasuno said they need more infrastructure improvement in Sri Lanka especially in the transportation sector.

“You see it takes over six hours to go to the East and if there is a highway or a luxury train we are ready to invest.”

He said similarly they are also very keen to invest in Kandy which is a wonderful location. But we will hold our investment plans till the highway is completed.”

Beyond Tokyo, the company’s investments in real estate span the rest of the globe from Myanmar to the USA, including projects in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and now, Sri Lanka.

He said today Sri Lanka’s investments are almost equally to investments made in USA. “Our focus is strongly on emerging markets and we consider Sri Lanka as a destination with great potential.”

He said they have been investing in Sri Lanka since 2014 and it was peace that inspired them for it. “This is a major plus point for your country.”

Together with Asia Capital they are building a 50 villa ultra-luxurious resort in Galle, for which the foundation was laid in October 2016. This is a US$ 18 million investment. In addition, the ‘447 Luna Tower’ project,a 190 unit exclusive apartment complex is being built at Union Place.

“We will also invest US$ 350 million for the Lake House Mixed Development Project (which is in the planning stages) for which they already invested Rs. 4 billion to acquire the land from Urban Development Authority.”

‘The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort’, a 70-key luxury property focusing on wellness tourism will open next year and the investment there is US$ 55 million.

Our latest investment is for the US$ 54 million (over Sri Lankan Rupees 8.2 billion), four-star hotel project on Marine Drive in Colombo 3, further strengthening the partnership between the two companies. “We know that the positive tourism trend in Sri Lanka would continue and will make investments in the future as well making Belluna Co the biggest Japanese investor for Sri Lanka.”

Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), First Section, with a market capitalization of US$ 800 million.

- http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/05/02/business/114654/belluna-invest-dollar-millions-more-lanka

 

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A special team of Japanese research experts who were recently on a visit to Sri Lanka made an inspection tour of the Colombo Port City Development project. They met with senior engineers and the officials from the project company to exchange views on the prospect of waste management plans for the new city.

The visit was also joined by officials from the Disaster Management Centre.

- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1678484775793373.1073741835.1410680552573798&type=3

 

[monson]

Sri Lanka launches ePolice clearance certificates

May 03, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Police has launched an ePolice certificate system with the help of ICTA for the issuance of Police Clearance Certificates online.

These certificates are a requirement for anyone intending to migrate or apply for work permits.

The clearance branch currently receives about 150 applications per day from locals and nearly 300 weekly from Sri Lankans living abroad.

People can now submit their applications online irrespective of whether they live in Sri Lanka or abroad while paying the administration fee online using either their credit cards or mobile phone.

Citizens can also check the current status of the submitted applications online as well.

The internal systems within the clearance branch have now been fully automated including application processing, monitoring and tracking in order to ensure efficiency and enhanced security.

Communication between 477 police stations located across the country and other agencies has also been automated with no more lags during sharing of information.

With the automation process the processing time has been brought down to 4-5 working days from 15 working days.

The system is also capable of further enhancement to provide digital certificates to the applicants.

The PCC online service is available via Sri Lanka Police Official website and Sri Lanka Government official web portal.

- http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/sri-lanka-launches-epolice-clearance-certificates/

 

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[roki123]

Rs1500 ta wada karala kohomada bn jiwath wenne ubala

 

[monson]

Westports keen to participate in Sri Lankan port project

KUALA LUMPUR: Westports Holdings Bhd has confirmed that it is keen to participate in the Hayleys PLC-led consortium bidding to complete the construction of Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government called for bids to develop the deep-water terminal on a “build, operate and transfer” basis last year. The project at Sri Lanka’s busiest port has been reported to be worth anything from US$400mil (RM1.73bil) up to US$600mil (RM2.59bil).

“Westports had submitted an expression of interest to participate in the consortium bidding for Colombo Port’s new terminal as reported and the consortium bidding is an ongoing process,” the company told Bursa Malaysia.

Westports said it would make the appropriate announcements to Bursa Malaysia Securities as and when there are material developments on the matter.

In the master plan of Colombo Port expansion project, the East Container Terminal will have a 1,200m long quay wall, alongside water depth of 18m and a yard capacity of 2.4 million TEUs (20ft equivalent units).

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has so far completed a 440m single berth in the first phase of the terminal’s development plan.

- http://www.thestar.com.my/business/...en-to-participate-in-sri-lankan-port-project/