Sri Lanka issues travel warning against those visiting Tamil Nadu; Defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and Pakistan discussed; 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Annual Conference 2012 opened in Sri Lanka; Commonwealth could offer partner
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    • Reports noted that the Sri Lankan government has issued a travel warning against those visiting Tamil Nadu in India, in the wake of recent events of intimidation towards Sri Lankan nationals visiting the Southern Indian state for religious and tourist purposes. However, the Ministry said travel to all other states in India was safe for Sri Lankans. 1 Meanwhile, reacting to the travel warning, the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) in Madurai has urged the Indian government to check the attack on visiting Sri Lankan pilgrims since the travel advisory issued by Sri Lanka will seriously affect the tourism and trade to the state. Business, trade and tourism between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu will suffer, the TNCCI warned. The Chamber said it is taking a 50-member trade delegation "on the first flight to Colombo to meet our counterparts to improve bilateral trade and investment. 2

    According to reports, the government of India will continue to take measures to ensure the safety of all Sri Lankans visiting that country, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on September 4, 2012 in response to the travel warning issued by Sri Lanka against its nationals visiting the state of Tamil Nadu. 3 On the other hand, speaking to the state-run radio government spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the friendship between Sri Lanka and India will not be affected as a result of the activities of state governments and India has already taken measures to safeguard the cordial relations. 4 In the mean time, Sri Lanka police have taken measures to provide special security to the Indian Deputy High Commission office in Kandy in view of possible repercussions to the attack on Sri Lankan pilgrims in Tamil Nadu. 5

    According to reports, during a meeting between Pakistan's Secretary Defence Production, Lieutenant General Shahid Iqbal and the visiting Sri Lankan Brigadier TN Jayasooriya in Islamabad, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have underscored the need for maintaining and promoting closer cooperation particularly in the area of defence production. The meeting also emphasized the need for developing military to military cooperation at all levels and agreed to enhance cooperation in the area of military training exercises and intelligence sharing so as to contain and counter the growing threat of terrorism. 6

    Reports noted that the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Annual Conference 2012 opened in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on September 7, 2012. The apex event of the CPA will be held from 7th to 15th September in Colombo with the participation of approximately 800 members of parliament and Speakers representing 179 regions of 54 commonwealth countries. Sri Lanka is hosting the CPA conference for the third time. Colombo has hosted the CPA Conference in 1974 and 1995. 7 Meanwhile, according to reports, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has said that in reference to the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report, the Commonwealth could offer partnership in capacity-building to Sri Lanka. Sharma issued a statement prior to his arrival in Colombo to attend the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference. 8

    Reports noted that a large high-profile South African business delegation arrived in Sri Lanka on September 5, 2012 on a four-day visit to explore investment opportunities. The delegation comprising about 30 members of the Progressive Business Forum of African National Congress (ANC-PBF), the ruling ANC's influential business collective, was led by the South African Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize. 9

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka's gross official reserves increased to US$ 7.099 billion by the end of July 2012, the Central Bank said in a release on September 5. The reserves, rose from US$ 6.045 billion in the previous month, is equivalent to 4.2 months of imports. 10
    According to reports, Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith has labelled the federal opposition's call to deport all Sri Lankan asylum seekers "extraordinary" and "hypocritical". The opposition on September 2, 2012 urged the federal government to reach an agreement with Sri Lanka for the immediate return of people intercepted en route to Australia. The call came after Australian authorities intercepted a boat carrying 81 suspected asylum seekers apparently from Sri Lanka, north-northwest of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. 11
    Meanwhile, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake has told the state-run radio SLBC that under the instruction of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, a defence programme has been organized to minimize outward threats to the country. Under the program the number of navy bases and jetties has been increased and modern technology and radar systems are being used at maximum level. 12

    In other developments, according to reports, following the successful completion of the first phase oil exploration in Sri Lanka's Mannar basin, Cairn India, has announced that it prepares to enter the second phase in the first quarter of 2013. 13

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