Sri Lanka clarifies its stand on South China Sea dispute, reiterates that the disputes concerning the South China Sea need to be settled bilaterally through negotiations by the concerned parties; PM visits Vietnam; Indian coast guard arrested Sri Lankan f
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  • (MAY 5-11)

    According to reports, Sri Lanka responded to the comments made in the international media regarding the position of Sri Lanka on the South China Sea dispute. Reportedly, Vietnam Prime Minister's office on May 9, 2014 said Sri Lanka supported Vietnam's standpoint on East Sea. Issuing a statement the Ministry of External Affairs said that its attention had been drawn to comments in the international media on Sri Lanka's position regarding the disputed South China Sea. The Ministry reiterated that the disputes concerning the South China Sea need to be settled bilaterally through negotiations by the concerned parties. "This has been Sri Lanka's consistent position on the said issue," the Ministry statement said. 1 Meanwhile, according to reports, the Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and Vietnam have agreed to support each other to strengthen the relations between the two countries during the visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne to Vietnam. 2

    Reports noted that the Indian Coast Guard has apprehended 31 Sri Lankan fishermen at Nagayalanka in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh for trespassing into Indian waters on May 7 and 11 Sri Lankan fishermen on two trawlers, who were found fishing inside the Indian Maritime Boundary on May 10. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Seiji Kihara made an official visit to Sri Lanka on May 9. During his visit, the minister met President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Makoto Matsuda, Director, South West Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nobuhito Hobo, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka accompanied the Japanese parliamentary official. 4

    Reports noted that New Zealand has signed an air services agreement with Sri Lanka on May 8, 2014 enabling the New Zealanders to travel to and do business with Sri Lanka easily. The agreement will enable airlines to offer flights from New Zealand to Sri Lanka and then on to other destinations, with tickets able to be sold for either or both sectors. 5

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