Lanka yet to finalise project proposals for 2 bn yuan grant

Sri Lanka is yet to receive a two-billion-yuan (nearly USD 300 mn) grant from China as project proposals have not been finalised.

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President Maithripala Sirisena revealed that the Chinese offer in late July, 2018, at a ceremony to launch construction of a Chinese-funded kidney hospital in Polonnaruwa.

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Turning towards the Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Chang Xueyuan, President Sirisena said that he had received the Chinese offer when the top Chinese envoy visited his official residence to fix the date for the Polonnaruwa ceremony. President Sirisena quoted the Chinese ambassador as having told him the Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent him another gift.

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The Chinese leader has gifted 2 bn yuan to be utilized for any project of my wish. I’m going to hand over a proposal to the Chinese ambassador to build houses in all the electorates in the country,” the President said.

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However, The Island query submitted to Department of External Resources (DER) in accordance with Right to Information (RTI) Law revealed that China offered 2 bn yuan grant in May 2017. The Island initially sought explanation from the Department of Treasury Operations but was told the External Resources was responsible for the release of the required information.

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The Island: Did China officially inform Finance/Foreign Ministry regarding its 2 bn yuan grant offer?

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DER: During the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in May 2017, at a meeting held with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping pledged a grant of RMB 2 billion to Sri Lanka for the period 2018 to 2020.

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The Island: Did Chinese embassy and Finance/Foreign hold talks on the Chinese offer?

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DER: Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka Chang Xueyuan recently held a discussion with the officials of the Department of External Resources regarding this grant. At this discussion, it was said that Government of Sri Lanka should forward suitable project proposals to materialize this grant.

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The Island: Did Sri Lanka receive similar grants previously from China or any other country?

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There had been a similar grant pledge announced in September 2014 during the state visit of President of China to Sri Lanka. This grant pledge was for the implementation of projects that were mutually agreed upon between the two countries for the period of 2015 to 2017.

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The DER is responsible for coordinating foreign funds received for development projects.

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Sashikala Gunasekera, Assistant Director (China & AIIB Division), Department of External Resources, Ministry of National Policies & Economic Affairs on Sept. 18 responded to The Island queries.

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The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe enacted the RTI Law last year and now Sri Lanka ranked third in global RTI rankings.

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President Sirisena’s Office said that President Sirisena on Sept 18 met Chinese delegation headed by Chang Xueyuan at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the progress of ongoing Chinese projects and problems faced in the implementation of projects.

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China ranks the top investor here.

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The President’s Office said that the lengthy discussion covered all projects with the focus on ways and means to tackle problems. President Sirisena has assured the Chinese that tangible measures would be taken soon to overcome problems to ensure the implementation of projects beneficial to the people.

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President Sirisena was assisted by presidential secretary Udaya R. Seneviratne, Secretary General of the National Economic Council Lalith P. Samarakoon and Treasury Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga.

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Ports and Shipping Minister and SLFP spokesman Mahinda Samarasinghe recently told The Island that the government would soon finalise plans for the utilisation of the Chinese grant. The minister pointed out that the Chinese grant underscored the importance of Sri Lanka-China relations.