Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris visits India; Sri Lanka and Pakistan hold discussions on strengthening the cooperation in water and power sectors; Sri Lanka and Belarus hold discussions on reaching an agreement to avoid double tax
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    • According to reports, Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris came to New Delhi on August 18, 2013 with an invitation for the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that will be held in Colombo from November 15th to 17th. 1

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka and Pakistan have held discussions on strengthening the cooperation in water and power sectors and agreed to utilize the expertise of both countries jointly to address pressing issues in the sectors. The discussions were held between the Pakistan's Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, who is visiting Sri Lanka to participate in the 2nd International Water Cooperation Conference, organized by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Water Supply and Drainage in Anuradhapura from 15th to 19th August, 2013, and the relevant Sri Lankan ministers. 2

    In another development, reports noted that Sri Lanka and Belarus have recently held discussions on reaching an agreement to avoid double taxation on income. The negotiations between the two countries were held at the Ministry of Taxes and Duties in Minsk, Belarus from 5th to 9th August 2013. The Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Senior Deputy Commissioner General of the Inland Revenue Department H.B.A. Senevirathne, and the Belarusian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Taxes and Duties Ms. Ella Selitskaya. 3

    Reportedly, representatives of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have met with officials from the United States Department of State in Washington DC on August 12, 2103. Details of the meetings in Washington have however not been reported. There was no official announcement from the State Department and it is not known which officials the delegation met in Washington. 4

    In other developments, according to reports, more than 70 representatives from 15 Commonwealth countries have arrived in Sri Lanka to make preparations for their delegations to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 ahead of summit to be held in Colombo in November. 5

    Reports noted that two Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, Ariake DD- 109 and Setogiri DD- 156, arrived at the Port of Colombo for logistics requirements on August 12, 2013. The ships are en route for Counter Piracy Operations off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. 6

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