April 29, 2021
2 mins read

Chinese defence minister meets Gotabaya in Colombo

Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa said that visit will further bolster bilateral ties…reports Asian Lite News

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday met Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe who is in the island nation for a two-day visit.

President Rajapaksa said he had a “fruitful discussion” with Chinese Defence Minister and emphasised that the high-level visit will further strengthen bilateral ties, media reported.

Wei arrived here on Wednesday for bilateral talks with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“Had a fruitful discussion with #china defense minister General Wei Fenghe this morning. This visit will further strengthen the ties between two countries,” the president tweeted along with photographs of their meeting.

This is the second-highest visit by a Chinese official to the island nation following the visit of Yang Jiechi, Vice Chairman, Chinese Communist Party, in October last year.

There have been concerns about Beijing seeking to increase its footprint in the country through contentious infrastructure projects.

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court is currently hearing several petitions against a Bill that will give special powers to govern the China-backed port city in Colombo.

Meanwhile, amid the controversy surrounding the China-backed Port City in Colombo, Sri Lanka Minister of Justice Ali Sabry has said the government owns 100 per cent of the land and the project has been initiated to bring investment in the special financial zone.

Addressing a media briefing, Minister Sabry said the total area of the investment zone is 269 hectares and 91 hectares for public facilities and cannot be given to the project company, The Colombo Page reported. Out of the remaining land of the financial zone, 116 hectares or 43 per cent will be given to the project company which initiated the project in 2013 and spent USD 1.4 billion to develop the Port City.

“But all 100 per cent of the land is owned by the government. It is completely false to say that land was given to someone else,” Sabry said.

This comes as the opposition has alleged that a bill to set up a Commission to govern a Colombo Port City has given it too much discretion, denied equal opportunity to Sri Lankans who did not have black money stashed abroad.

Also read:Ex-Sri Lanka minister, brother to be detained for 90 days

Previous Story

LDF stage protests demanding free Covid vaccine

Next Story

India-Lanka: Time to step up soft diplomacy

Latest from -Top News

India vigilant as Nepal faces political uncertainty

Indian agencies suspect that external elements are making attempts to create a political vacuum in the country. …reports Asian Lite News India is closely monitoring political developments in Nepal, emphasising that stability

India vows stronger maritime ties with ASEAN

Conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm greetings on the 20th anniversary of the East Asia Summit (EAS), he said India deeply values the members’ contributions to regional peace, progress, and prosperity….reports Asian

Piyush Goyal in Brussels as India, EU push FTA talks

Goyal’s visit reflects India’s steadfast commitment to deepening engagement with the European Union…reports Asian Lite News Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday met EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security

India, Canada Deepen Cultural Ties with New Temple

The Indian envoy lauded BAPS, a socio-spiritual Hindu organisation, along with its volunteers, for their efforts in serving the community….reports Asianlite News Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh K. Patnaik attended the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China’s biggest ‘bad bank’ lands in huge debt

Beijing has spent decades bailing out Chinese companies that got

Chinese balloon capable of spying, US confirms

The investigation into recovered balloon is the first of its