IMF cautions Sri Lanka against easing monetary policies further; National Ranaviru Commemorative Month begins; President Rajapaksa makes a four-day official visit to Uganda; Adversary announcement of IUU issued by the European Union to the Sri Lankan fish
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    • Reports noted that the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while commending the authorities for prudent policy implementation, cautioned Sri Lanka against easing monetary policies further in the near term with rising wage and cost pressures. 1

    In another development, according to reports, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a four-day official visit to Uganda to participate in the 2013 Commonwealth Local Government conference to be held in Kampala from May 14 -17. President Rajapaksa met with his Ugandan counterpart, President Yoweri Museveni at the State House in Entebbe on May 12 to hold bilateral discussions. The discussions focused on a number of sectors on which the two countries agreed to collaborate during President Museveni's visit to Sri Lanka last November. Bulk of the talks focused on agriculture, energy and trade sectors. As the incoming Commonwealth Chairperson-in-office, President Rajapaksa will deliver the keynote speech at the closing session of the conference on May 17. 2

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka has been able to get the adversary announcement issued by the European Union to the local fishing industry over the allegation of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU) by Sri Lankan fishermen in international waters, removed. Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic resources Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has told media today that he held discussions with the Director-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of European Union in Brussels, Belgium over the allegations last month. The Minister said following the discussions he was able to get the yellow card withdrawn and get a green card which allows for the country's fishermen to engage in fishing activities without any obstacle. The EU issued Yellow Card warning last year to Sri Lanka following complaints of 11 Sri Lankan vessels intruding into international waters in 2011for fishing and fishermen violating the international maritime boundary laws. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, was on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka. During his visit, Mr. Mammadyarov met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Minister of Petroleum Industries Anura Priyadarshana Yapa discussed opportunities for developing energy cooperation between the two countries. 4

    According to reports, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared the month beginning from May 9, 2013, as the National Ranaviru Commemorative Month at a function held at the Temple Trees to commemorate war heroes of the three armed forces and Police who perished and were injured in the three-decade long civil war that ended in May 2009. Ranaviru commemorations will be held island wide until June 8 and the main national event will be held on May 18 at the Ranaviru Commemorative Statue in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 5

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