India to set up nine language labs in the nine provinces of Sri Lanka; U.S. designs through USAID a new, US$4.5 million dollar "Increased Responsiveness in the Legal System Program” for Sri Lanka; Agreements signed between Sri Lanka and the UAE; China to
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  • Reports noted that the Government of India is undertaking a project to set up nine language labs in the nine provinces of Sri Lanka. The project is implemented under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Sri Lanka on 13 September 2011 to set up a "Three-Tier English Language Training System" in the island. The project will be implemented under full grant assistance of the Indian government and will be completed in three months. 1

    In another development, the U.S. has designed through USAID a new, US$4.5 million dollar "Increased Responsiveness in the Legal System Program" to train Sri Lanka's judges, court administrators and staff to improve their skills with the increased use of information technology, and to promote the use of all three official languages in the legal system. According to the U.S. Ambassador to Colombo Michele Sison, the project will train Ministry of Justice and Judicial Services Commission officials to improve the planning, administration, and oversight of the legal system. 2

    Reports noted that an agreement to establish a Joint Commission for the purpose of promoting co-operation in various fields and strengthening existing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This agreement was signed by the Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sri Lanka's Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris following a meeting between the two in Abu Dhabi on January 17. The two countries also signed an agreement to avoid double taxation of income derived from international air transport, an air service agreement and an agreement for the avoidance of fiscal evasion with regard to taxes levied on income. 3

    According to reports, the Chinese government has agreed to grant a consignment of sports gear worth Sri Lankan Rs. 50 million to the Sri Lankan government to be distributed among the children in Northern Sri Lanka. An official agreement to donate the sports equipment was signed on January 18 with the participation of China's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao and External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at a function held in Temple Trees. The sports equipment is to be distributed among schools and sports clubs within the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts. 4

    In other developments, according to reports, 36 Indian companies participated in the 4th Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF), held on January 18-20, 2013 at the Duraiyappa Stadium in Jaffna. 5

    The World Bank has projected that Sri Lanka's economy will grow at 6.8 percent in 2013 after slowing to a 6.1 percent in 2012 and to strengthen to 7.2 percent in 2015. 6

    Indian Coast Guard has arrested 21 Sri Lankan fishermen for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and entering Indian waters. 7

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