Formal diplomatic relations established between Sri Lanka and the Dominican Republic; Dr. Palitha Kohona has been reappointed as Co-Chair of the UN Ad-hoc Working Group; CIS countries tops the list of main importers of Sri Lankan Tea; First Islamic Commer
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  • Reports noted that Sri Lanka and the Dominican Republic have established formal Diplomatic Relations.1 Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona has been reappointed as Co-Chair of the UN Ad-hoc Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. Professor Liesbeth Lijnzaad, Legal Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been appointed as the other Co-Chair.2

    According to reports, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) continued to remain the largest importer of Sri Lankan tea in 2010, accounting for 77.2 m/kgs of the total exports of 314.2 m/kgs. According to officials, the UAE (30.2 m/kgs down from 31.1 m/kgs in 2009) and Iran (28.69 m/kgs, compared to a slightly lower 28.62 m/kgs in 2009) were in second and third positions. Syria (27.1 m/kgs), Turkey (19 m/kgs) and Jordan (17.6 m/kgs) were the other main importers.3

    In other developments, the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has taken a 10-percent stake in the first commercial Islamic bank in Sri Lanka, the Amana Bank Limited which is to be opened shortly in the country. Amana Bank will be Sri Lanka’s first licensed commercial Islamic bank to conduct all its business operations in complete harmony with the principles of Islamic banking.4

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