Chinese firm to carry out three energy projects in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News1st): The Hindu newspaper has reported that Sri Lanka has granted approval for an energy project on three islands located off Sri Lanka's coast. The report noted that Sri Lanka’s recent decision to pull out of the East Container Terminal deal with India and Japan is not the only challenge to New Delhi’s interests emerging this year. It added that Sri Lanka had cleared a Chinese energy project in three islands off the Jaffna peninsula, barely 50 km from the Tamil Nadu coast, a week before reneging on the 2019 East Container terminal agreement. According to the report, hybrid renewable energy systems are to be installed in the Nainativu, Delft, and Analaitivu islands based on cabinet approval received on the 18th of January. The tender for these projects had been handed over to the Sinosoar-Etechwin joint venture in China upon receiving the approval of the cabinet. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tea Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Fujian Star China International Trade Company Ltd., to promote Pure Ceylon Tea in the Chinese market. Under the 15-year agreement, Fujian Star China International Trade Company will purchase more than 4 million kilos of tea from Sri Lanka annually. Although the Sri Lankan Embassy in China said that the Chinese company will purchase tea on a pre-agreed price, the Sri Lanka Tea Board said that tea would be exported under the existing market rates in Sri Lanka. As reports emerge on trade and investment ties between China and Sri Lanka, Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan that is a close ally of China, is due to visit Sri Lanka this month. The Pakistani Prime Minister will visit Sri Lanka on February 22 of this month and will deliver a special address in Parliament at 2 pm on February 24. Against such a backdrop, cabinet spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella has said that Sri Lanka will hold talks on the UN human rights chief's report before the 46th UNHRC sessions begin on February 22.