Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is set to depart for New Delhi, India, on October 17th and 18th to attend the NDTV World Summit. This marks her first official visit to India during her tenure, and it holds significant importance as she is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both Prime Ministers Modi and Amarasuriya are special guests at this year’s summit. Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott are also slated to address the event, which will bring together influential policymakers, business magnates, scientists, and cultural experts from the region. Prime Minister Amarasuriya is expected to deliver a speech on the theme “Steering Change in Uncertain Times.”
China Visit and Geopolitical Backdrop
Following her visit to India, Prime Minister Amarasuriya is also scheduled to undertake a tour of China, where she will hold bilateral discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This suddenly planned meeting with the Chinese President is particularly noteworthy given the intensified American activities within Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Julie Chung is in the final stages of her official term and is expected to conclude her duties and depart Sri Lanka in December or the first weeks of January. During this concluding phase, she has been actively engaging with Washington to expedite matters concerning Sri Lanka.
US Pressure on Sinopec Project
Reports indicate that the American Ambassador has been working strenuously behind the scenes to halt the commencement of the USD 3.7 billion oil refinery project by the Chinese Sinopec company in the Hambantota Port. This project is considered the largest foreign investment Sri Lanka has received in recent times.
Initially, the project faced delays as Sinopec stated that the 20% fuel quota offered by Sri Lanka was insufficient and requested an increase to 40%. However, the government has now decided to increase Sinopec’s fuel distribution quota to 40% as per their request, paving the way for the company to commence construction of the Hambantota oil refinery in the near future.
Nevertheless, further reports suggest that a high-ranking US official is behind the American Ambassador’s efforts to halt the Chinese refinery project, viewing it as an attempt to re-establish American influence in Sri Lanka on a conceptual level. Against this backdrop of geopolitical tension, many are closely watching the outcomes of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s visits to India and China.
