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Sri Lanka rejects fears on security and media freedom from Chinese deals

23 Jan, 2025

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Sri Lanka dismissed concerns on threats to its security or media freedom from the recent agreements signed with China or the Chinese media.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said that all measures are in place to ensure Sri Lanka’s security and sovereignty.

He also said that agreements signed between the Chinese media and Sri Lanka’s State media was only for training purposes and will not influence the Sri Lankan media.

Sri Lanka and China signed 16 agreements during the recent visit to China by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

Among the agreements was a deal between the Chinese State media and the State media in Sri Lanka.

China and Sri Lanka have agreed on more investment and economic cooperation, after China’s President Xi Jinping met recently elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Beijing.

The countries signed a total of 15 country to country deals while the 16th agreement was between the National Peoples Power (NPP) and the Chinese communist party.

Among the agreements signed was an agreement with Chinese state energy giant Sinopec to fast-track a proposed $3.7 billion oil refinery in Hambantota.

Sinopec and Sri Lanka will work to resolve land, tax and water issues within a month and Colombo expects the refinery to assist the Chinese-built Hambantota Port to function as a hub via bunkering services. (Colombo Gazette)

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