By Usman Khan

On Monday, 26 September 2022, Sri Lanka President visited Japan last month to meet the Prime Minister of Japan and other high-ranking officials of the Japanese government. Sri Lankan President also attended the state funeral of the former Japanese Prime Minister.  As Japan tightens the noose around and Sri Lanka after being sidelined and Japan took U-turns on infrastructure projects offered to Sri Lanka.

At the same time, going for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package at the outset of the severe financial crisis and defaulting debt repayment was of concern to Japan.

Japan is Sri Lanka’s oldest development partner and the debt amounts to around 10% of Sri Lanka’s total budget. During his official visit, Sri Lanka's President asked Japan to play a primary role in negotiations with Sri Lanka with IMF. As Sri Lanka is "suffering a lot," the country needs to return to normalcy as soon as possible. Sri Lanka and Japan have long been friends and the Sri Lankan president hoped to work together and make the relationship even more durable.

Japan, however, is unwilling to lend money to Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan President paid a visit to japan to convince the Japanese government about the credibility of his Government. As Sri Lanka's relations with Japan had broken down because the former president's regime chose China over Japan and canceled the East Container Terminal (ECT) Development Project at the Port of Colombo, which had been offered to Japan to develop with Sri Lanka Ports Authority. The former President also canceled the Light Rail Transport (LRT) project that had been allocated to Japan.

These projects were canceled on the pretext that Japan’s LRT was costly. There were also talks that China was also one of the competing bidders and the project might shift hands. For Japan, it was not only a major setback in their bilateral relations with Sri Lanka but also a source of national disgrace for Japan.

Even the former Foreign Minister, at the beginning of this year, said and admitted that certain situations could have been handled better, referring to the termination of the Japan-funded Light Rail project in Colombo. The LRT was designed with 16 stations over 15.7 kilometers of track in and around Colombo. The consultancy contract was awarded in March 2019 and the detailed design was at the final stage.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Overseas Coastal Area Development Institute of Japan, Japan Port Consultants Ltd and the Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd jointly submitted their final report on the Preparatory Survey for the Project of Development of the East Container Terminal in the Colombo South Port in Sri Lanka.

Also recently, the Sri Lankan Secretary, of Foreign Affairs, led bilateral consultations with a senior delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan led by the Assistant Minister of Southwest and Southeast Asia Affairs in July 2022. The Sri Lanka delegation included the Governor of the Central Bank, and Secretary to the Treasury, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Sri Lanka Navy.

As Japan remains a major contributor to the IMF. The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP) is one of the IMF’s major regional offices around the world. It was established in 1997 in Tokyo with the help of Japan and now serves as a critical outpost in the Asia-Pacific region of 37 member countries including a few emerging economies. Its presence offers testimony to the substantial and growing importance of the region in the global economy.

Office for Asia and the Pacific (OAP) facilitates coordination between IMF headquarters and those member countries and promotes IMF’s various initiatives in the region through key activities. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral political, economic and defense cooperation as well as strengthening people-to-people ties.

Earlier, during his meeting the Japanese Prime Minister in his congratulatory message to the Sri Lankan President said that he expects political stability in Sri Lanka and indicated his willingness to help Sri Lanka with its bailout package with the IMF.

During their meeting with the Sri Lankan president, the Japanese Prime Minister stated that Japan is willing to further strengthen the bilateral relations with Sri Lanka to implement Japan’s vision of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP). Japanese Prime Minister also mentioned that Japan is willing to provide humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka to address its current humanitarian situation, as Sri Lanka is a long-standing friend of Japan.

As the Japanese Prime Minister pointed out the importance of transparent and fair development finance in compliance with international rules and standards, both the Japanese Prime Minister and Sri Lankan President shared a common understanding of the importance of debt restructuring in Sri Lanka in a fair and transparent manner with the contribution of all creditor countries

By S. Sultan

The US, India, Japan, and Australia have all pushed for an IMF bailout for Sri Lanka around the amount of USD 3 billion. Moreover, the IMF has urged all creditors to rearrange their debt repayments to Sri Lanka. The most important aspect of this move is that, as the IMF has stated, China, one of the main Sri Lanka’s creditors, must also restructure its debt to Sri Lanka, but China is hesitant. Already, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka stated that all creditors of Sri Lanka must restructure their debts to the country on an equal playing field.

China’s reluctance has been based on an IMF bailout that came from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad countries), which is pushing Sri Lanka strategically. China’s geopolitical rivalry with the Quad is hindering China’s investment projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Quad members have come under fire heavily from China for in the Asia-Pacific region for its “anti-china policy”.

Although, there is a criticism that Sri Lanka facing its debt increase due to large development programs mainly carried out by Chinese companies under former Sri Lankan President.  However, the incumbent president said that at the moment, his country's relationship with China "has not had many major glitches."

In April 2022, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, who met senior journalists in Colombo   expressed China’s concerns about the Sri Lankan Government’s approach to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As the Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister, now Foreign Minister and his delegation are having negotiations with IMF officials at this moment. The bailout will always be based on terms. As china is closely watching the Sri Lanka developments to get an IMF bailout.

Chinese ambassador said that under the current economic difficulties Sri Lanka has the urgent need for assistance and China will continue its support including investments and get Sri Lanka out of the crisis and Sri Lanka at the same time should be “self-sustainable”. He further said that foreign debt, including domestic debt, must be sustainable. As the Sri Lanka will be unable to achieve long-term development goals. The current situation did not occur overnight. It has a long history of economic blunders from its previous governments.

In order to attract foreign investment and fulfil development goals, Sri Lanka infrastructure projects must be extensively funded. Chinese ambassador said that China would do everything possible to help Sri Lanka not only overcome the current crisis but also accomplish future development goals.

Sri Lankan government is stuck amidst the IMF bailout after the last discussions held in June 2022. The IMF said they had constructive and productive discussions with the authorities on economic policies and reform to be supported by an IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement and also, significant progress was made, and discussions will continue virtually to reach a staff-level agreement on the EFF arrangement in the near term.

The objectives of the new IMF-supported programme would be to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, while protecting the poor and vulnerable, safeguarding financial stability, and stepping up structural reforms to address corruption vulnerabilities and unlock Sri Lanka’s growth potential.

The final phase of the IMF agreement requires constructive discussions and creditors must comply with IMF demands. The geopolitical concerns of creditors have waned with the IMF, which is critical for the President. The recent geopolitical upheaval was the invitation of a Chinese surveillance ship, which is now docked at the Hambantota Port. The Government is attempting to ‘have the cake and eat it,’ and making it difficult for Sri Lanka to establish credibility in the first place. Sri Lankan President is also hoping to visit China in the near future to mend its ways with china.

By Naffin Nasriya, TON Sri Lanka

According to the Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Sri Lanka is in the process of implementing a foster parent concept in order to feed extremely malnourished children. This is in response to the fact that more than 20,000 children on the island nation are on the verge of starvation as a result of the unprecedented financial crisis.

According to a report that was issued last month by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations, an estimated 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka are dealing with moderate to severe acute food insecurity, and their situation is expected to worsen if adequate assistance for life-saving measures and support for livelihoods is not provided.

According to a report that was released by UNICEF a month ago, more than 5.7 million people in Sri Lanka, including 2.3 million children, are in need of humanitarian assistance. This places Sri Lanka among the top ten countries with the highest number of malnourished children, and it is anticipated that these numbers will continue to rise.

Health Minister Rambukwella stated that efforts are currently being made by the government to acquire some funding from donors in order to address the severe malnutrition that is prevalent among children who have not yet begun attending school. He further stated that malnutrition has increased by 2 percent, and agreed that it is not surprising, but warned to be watchful.

He then went on to say that there could be five to ten extremely malnourished children in each division of grama sevaka, and that things are not going to be better anytime soon and the food supply chain is not going to improve as expected. He also said that the reality is people are feeling it.

According to the plan, a parent or a sponsor will be responsible for the care of at least one child and will see to it that the children recover from acute malnutrition.

Up to 30,000 children with severe malnutrition are expected to benefit from the proposed foster parent model, according to the minister. The funds that are raised for the program will be used to improve the children’s nutrition level and keep them healthy until there is an increase in the availability of food.

As a result of the former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to ban imports of agrochemicals overnight without providing any alternatives for farmers to ensure a healthy and abundant harvest, Sri Lanka is currently dealing with a food shortage.

The minister said, “This malnutrition will reflect perhaps when we are not there. There will be weak children when they are becoming 10-12 years old. It will be a huge challenge for us. So this situation has to be arrested,”.

“The harvest in the next cultivation season is going to be good with the fertilizer usage. Basically we have a gap of about three months to manage,” he said referring to the time period the foster parent scheme may be required.

According to the minister, under the program, children will be helped by periodic checks, and an additional food quota will be ensured for malnourished children according to their requirements. This will be part of the program.

“Once we see the success of the trial, we will start with Nuwara Eliya and Monaragala which are the most affected areas,” he said.

This will be a good initiative for those children who are suffering from hunger; however, the question that needs to be answered is how many parents will be willing to do this while the entire country is in the midst of an economic crisis. One of the difficulties that even members of the country’s upper class must contend with is inflation. The costs of goods, transportation, and services have skyrocketed in recent days. Despite all of these challenges will foster parents continue to provide for the needy? Something to think about.

By Naffin Nasriya, TON Sri Lanka

According to the Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Sri Lanka is in the process of implementing a foster parent concept in order to feed extremely malnourished children. This is in response to the fact that more than 20,000 children on the island nation are on the verge of starvation as a result of the unprecedented financial crisis.

According to a report that was issued last month by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations, an estimated 6.3 million people in Sri Lanka are dealing with moderate to severe acute food insecurity, and their situation is expected to worsen if adequate assistance for life-saving measures and support for livelihoods is not provided.

According to a report that was released by UNICEF a month ago, more than 5.7 million people in Sri Lanka, including 2.3 million children, are in need of humanitarian assistance. This places Sri Lanka among the top ten countries with the highest number of malnourished children, and it is anticipated that these numbers will continue to rise.

Health Minister Rambukwella stated that efforts are currently being made by the government to acquire some funding from donors in order to address the severe malnutrition that is prevalent among children who have not yet begun attending school. He further stated that malnutrition has increased by 2 percent, and agreed that it is not surprising, but warned to be watchful.

He then went on to say that there could be five to ten extremely malnourished children in each division of grama sevaka, and that things are not going to be better anytime soon and the food supply chain is not going to improve as expected. He also said that the reality is people are feeling it.

According to the plan, a parent or a sponsor will be responsible for the care of at least one child and will see to it that the children recover from acute malnutrition.

Up to 30,000 children with severe malnutrition are expected to benefit from the proposed foster parent model, according to the minister. The funds that are raised for the program will be used to improve the children’s nutrition level and keep them healthy until there is an increase in the availability of food.

As a result of the former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decision to ban imports of agrochemicals overnight without providing any alternatives for farmers to ensure a healthy and abundant harvest, Sri Lanka is currently dealing with a food shortage.

The minister said, “This malnutrition will reflect perhaps when we are not there. There will be weak children when they are becoming 10-12 years old. It will be a huge challenge for us. So this situation has to be arrested,”.

“The harvest in the next cultivation season is going to be good with the fertilizer usage. Basically we have a gap of about three months to manage,” he said referring to the time period the foster parent scheme may be required.

According to the minister, under the program, children will be helped by periodic checks, and an additional food quota will be ensured for malnourished children according to their requirements. This will be part of the program.

“Once we see the success of the trial, we will start with Nuwara Eliya and Monaragala which are the most affected areas,” he said.

This will be a good initiative for those children who are suffering from hunger; however, the question that needs to be answered is how many parents will be willing to do this while the entire country is in the midst of an economic crisis. One of the difficulties that even members of the country’s upper class must contend with is inflation. The costs of goods, transportation, and services have skyrocketed in recent days. Despite all of these challenges will foster parents continue to provide for the needy? Something to think about.

 RABAT, 29 October 2022, (TON): Authorities said “Moroccan police arrested 32 migrants as they tried to set sail for Spain, including six Moroccans and 26 from other African nations to the south.”

The DGSN security service said “the group were arrested on the coast with an inflatable boat near the southern town of Tantan, which lies some 100 kilometer from Spain’s Canary Islands.”

According to Spain “at least 11,500 migrants made their way to the Canary Islands this year.”

Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish group that helps migrant boats in trouble at sea and families searching for missing relatives, says 978 people have died while trying to reach Spain so far this year.

TOKYO, 29 October 2022, (TON): The Russian ambassador to Japan, Mikhail Galuzin, is expected to leave his post in November, without specifying his successor, Japanese media quoted Russian sources as saying.

His departure comes amid strained bilateral relations over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began in February and Japan’s full participation in Western sanctions against Moscow.

Galuzin, 62, assumed the position of ambassador in March 2018. He is known for his expertise in Japanese affairs, having held diplomatic posts in Japan four times since the days of the Soviet Union.

Galuzin joined the Russian Foreign Ministry in 1983, and served as Minister and Counselor of the Russian Embassy in Japan from 2001 to 2008. He also served as Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia from 2012 to 2017, before being appointed to Japan by President Vladimir Putin in January 2018.

KYIV, 29 October 2022, (TON): President Volodymyr Zelensky said “four million people across Ukraine have been hit by power cuts due to Russia’s bombing campaign.”

Zelensky was speaking hours after Russia said it had completed its call-up of 300,000 reservists to fight there.

The United States meanwhile announced fresh military aid to Ukraine in part because of Russia’s attacks on the country’s civilian infrastructure.

In his evening address Friday, Zelensky stressed that the whole country was suffering the consequences of the Russian campaign.

SAN FRANCISCO, 29 October 2022, (TON): Officials said “an intruder demanding to see US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attacked her husband with a hammer during a break-in at the couple’s San Francisco home.”

Paul Pelosi, 82, was taken to a San Francisco hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and severe injuries to his right arm and hands, a spokesperson for the House speaker said in a statement, adding that a full recovery was expected.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said “the man arrested at the scene, David Depape, 42, will be charged with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary, and several other felony charges.”

SAN FRANCISCO, 29 October 2022, (TON): Officials said “an intruder demanding to see US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attacked her husband with a hammer during a break-in at the couple’s San Francisco home.”

Paul Pelosi, 82, was taken to a San Francisco hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a skull fracture and severe injuries to his right arm and hands, a spokesperson for the House speaker said in a statement, adding that a full recovery was expected.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said “the man arrested at the scene, David Depape, 42, will be charged with attempted homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary, and several other felony charges.”

JEDDAH, 29 October 2022, (TON): Thousands of Iranians took to the streets again as a six-week wave of nationwide protests showed no sign of abating.

Security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Zahedan in the southeast, dissidents said the regime had lost control of the northern Kurdish city of Mahabad, and half the members of the notorious Basij militia in Tehran failed to turn up for work enforcing the crackdown on protests.

Rights groups said “unlawful killings by regime police and soldiers had killed at least eight people in four provinces within 24 hours, including two in Baneh near Iran’s western border with Iraq.”

Dissident activists said more than 400 people had now died in the regime’s repression of protests that began after Mahsa Amin, 22, from Kurdistan province, died in morality police custody on Sept. 16.