Ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October this year, the foreign powers have ramped up their efforts in the assessment of ground political developments as was in the case of vital elections in the past.

The political situation is likely to heat up after May Day events in which the respective parties will try to show their political might as a launching pad for electioneering.

It is natural for foreign countries having bilateral relations with Sri Lanka to be watchful of political developments with key elections pending. However, countries such as the United States, India, China, Japan, the United Kingdom and other Western countries take particular interest in the possible outcome of elections. They have strategic and competing interests in the country.

Currently, a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is in town for an assessment of the current political situation. The delegation comprising Deputy Minister of the International Affairs Department of the CPC Ms. Sun Haiyan held talks with the political parties.

Earlier, they had talks with a delegation led by the National People’s Power (NPP) including its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake who is slated to contest the presidential elections. An informed source of the party said the CPC was keen to find out the actual standing of the NPP in Sri Lankan politics.

“The CPC delegation was keen to ascertain whether reports about our popularity correspond with ground realities,” the source said. According to the source, the CPC delegation even had an inspection tour of the party headquarters while exchanging pleasantries with the members.

China, like the United States and India, has strategic interests in the country, and as a result is interested in assessing the possible outcome of the presidential elections well in advance.

Besides, the CPC delegation met with the representatives of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) including its founder Basil Rajapaksa and exchanged views on current politics.

The CPC, in its political headquarters in Beijing, has a separate wing for Sri Lanka. It is in touch with all the political parties in Sri Lanka as party to party relations.

Earlier, India also invited a NPP delegation led by its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a familiarization visit.

The heightened vigilance of foreign powers in Sri Lanka's presidential elections reflect the geopolitical significance of the country and its potential impact on regional dynamics. As global players vie for influence in the Indian Ocean region, Sri Lanka's strategic location and evolving political landscape have become focal points of interest.

The engagement of countries like China, India, and the United States reflects their efforts to safeguard their respective interests, ranging from economic investments to geopolitical influence.

Sri Lanka tourism witnessed a drop in momentum in April with the number of international visitors falling below the 200,000 mark for the first time this year.

Uncertainty looms over the relaunch of the Japan -financed light rail project (LRT) even after the country’s debt restructuring process is concluded since Japan has decided not to discuss it , according to an official of the Japanese government.

Around 15 Opposition MPs are ready to support a Bill that would include legislation related to rapid development of the country and the agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Bill is to be presented to Parliament by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 08.

The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated slightly against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (May 06) compared to last week. According to Seylan Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have dropped from Rs. 290.90 to Rs. 290.75 and from Rs. 301.40 to Rs. 301.25, respectively.

Action will be taken against the person who caused a disturbance at the visa issuing section at the Katunayake Airport, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said today. He told a news conference that steps will also be taken against the officers who recorded the incident.

Around 22 persons, including 11 females, have been arrested following a tense situation at a protest in Anuradhapura. The tense situation was reported after a group of unemployed graduates surrounded the North Central Provincial Council building in protest, seeking solutions to their demands.

The Japanese government has finalized a plan to provide Sri Lanka with a vessel equipped with underwater sonar for detecting the location of other vessels in order to improve the country’s oceanographic survey capabilities, according to Japanese Deputy Press Secretary Kaneko Mariko.

The Government of India has decided to bear the cost towards applicable taxes and other charges to the tune of over LKR 25 million per month for a period of one year for the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS).

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is set to make a final decision on its presidential candidate in June, according to Party sources. The SLPP will decide whether to nominate a candidate from within the Party or to support President Ranil Wickremesinghe for re-election. The Party has scheduled a series of electoral summits starting next week to seek public opinion on the presidential candidate.

apanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday. The Japanese Government’s intention to resume the Yen-denominated loans and the stalled Japanese investment initiatives, including the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, were among the topics taken up for discussion. Discussions were also held on the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pertaining to debt restructuring in Sri Lanka.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers who deserted the Sri Lanka Army have received legal discharge as of May 4 during an amnesty period declared by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence.

The Examinations Department issued the rescrutiny results of the 2022 (2023) General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination yesterday. They said a total of 49,312 applicants had applied for rescrutiny and 250,311 answers were rescrutinised.

Tourism Industry veterans cautioned that heightened confusion over the new visa system, along with the abrupt increase in visa fees, could derail 2.3 million tourist arrival target set for the year. This could potentially reduce arrivals below 2 million, while service providers stand to gain $50 million in fees.

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former CID Director SSP Shani Abeysekara challenging the National Police Commission’s decision to interdict him from police service following the Presidential Election 2019.

China assured its fullest support and cooperation to conclude the debt restructuring process in Sri Lanka, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has appeared before the Criminal Investigations Department in order to record a statement yesterday (3). Accordingly, Sirisena recorded a statement for two hours at the CID, regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, in response to allegations about the tender process, said there is no such requirement to call for tenders because these are the only companies involved in e-visa processing in different countries.

The Sri Lankan rupee has now become one of the fastest-growing currencies in the world, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong had called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday (May 02) to discuss ways and means of early implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) reached between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China in March 2024.

In a significant development aimed at revitalising maritime infrastructure, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to obtain a proposed financial grant from India for the renovation of the Karainagar Boat Yard.