Srilanka

Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga and World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives Ms. Idah Z Pswarayi & Riddihough exchanging the Loan Agreement at the Ministry of Finance yesterday. The International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank has provided a loan facility of USD 70 million to strengthen the service provided by 134 Local Government Authorities in the Northern, Eastern, North Central and Uva Provinces under the Local Development Support Project (LDSP).

President of China Xi Jinping has assured President Maithripala Sirisena that China is ready to render its support to Sri Lanka to eradicate terrorism and to ensure the countrysecurity.During the bilateral discussions held between President Sirisena and the Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday (May 14), the steps taken by the government to ensure the national security following the April 21 terrorist attack as well as the steps taken to protect the countrypeople were discussed in detail.Chinese President has agreed to provide modern technical equipment and knowledge required to curtail terrorism and cyber crimes. The Chinese government will also grant a financial donation of Rs 2.6 billion for the activities of the security forces in the aftermath of the emergency situation resulted by Easter attacks. As per the special request made by President Sirisena, the Chinese government has agreed to provide 100 SUVs to the Sri Lanka Police Department.

Sri Lankan business community requests the government to introduce quick measures to revive key economic sectors, in particular the Small and Medium sized industries (SME&s) which were badly affected since the Easter Sunday attacks. SMEs are considered as the backbone of the economy as it accounts for almost 70% of countryGDP and provide more than 40% of all jobs. And also, SMEs play a significant role in income distribution and regional development.

The academic activities of all schools in the North Western Province have recommenced today (15), says Governor Peshala Jayaratne. He added that the government institutes in the province will also reopen today.