Sri Lanka: China to build military housing in North-East

[samv]

China to build military housing in North-East

By Bandula Sirimanna

Aid for Defence Services College in Colombo

China is expanding its economic, trade and military ties with Sri Lanka providing US$ 100 million for army welfare projects initiated by the Ministry of Defence, official sources said.

Plans are afoot to set up accommodation and infrastructure facilities in army camps in the north and east with Chinese assistance.

The maintenance of military camps in strategic locations throughout the country is essential for national security, the Government has long argued despite pressure from some western nations and India to reduce the military presence in the north and east.

The establishment of military camps in locations such as Mannar, Palaly, Elephant Pass, Pooneryn, Thalladi, Karainagar, and Mullaitivu began in the 1950s with a view to enhancing internal security. Infrastructure and accommodation facilities in these camps will be built for the benefit of security forces personnel, a senior Finance Ministry official said.

The Chinese financial assistance to the military in the north and east comes ahead of a five-day visit starting next Wednesday (August 29) by Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie together with a high-powered defence delegation. The high ranking minister was Chief of Staff of the People’s Liberation Army from 2002-2007 and later a State Councillor and member of the Central Military Commission of China.

The official said the role of the military in the North and East was to maintain national security and ensure that any remnants of pro-LTTE elements among the resettled population or who were based in other countries did not have the opportunity to destabilise peace and harm Sri Lanka,.

China has also announced a grant of US $1.5 million for modernisation of the Defence Services College in Colombo for children of security forces personnel and the police.

The college has classes from Grade 6 to 12. This modernization project was part of the army welfare initiative of the Ministry of Defence, he said.

Meanwhile, the government recently signed an agreement with China to buy six MA-60 aircraft at US$ 105.4 million, he revealed, in a deal that is yet to be made public.

Chinese assistance to Sri Lanka is divided into buyer’s credit, preferential buyer’s credit and loans. These are offered via the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China. China also provides limited grant aid under the Chinese government’s economic and technical cooperation programme, the senior Finance Ministry official said.

The Chinese Defence Minister will visit the Sapugaskande Defence Staff College, the Panagoda army cantonment, Galle and possibly Hambantota, during his stay in the country.

China is financing the Hambantota port development project as well.


Another high-powered delegation here next month

The Chinese People’s Congress’ Vice President U. Bango will arrive in Sri Lanka next month, leading a 96-member delegation, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said. The delegation will arrive on September 15 and visit Hambantota and the Northern and Eastern provinces.

They will also visit Chinese-funded ventures including road construction projects.

China to build military housing in North-East | The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

 

[Sasquatch]

Good to see Sri Lanka-China Cooperation.

 

[samv]

Meanwhile in India....


Tamil Nadu Chief Minister opposes Indian training for Lankan troops
http://www.indian defence.com/tamil-nadu-chief-minister-opposes-indian-training-lankan-troops-1536/

Defence Ministry Examining Jaya's Demand to Send Back Sri Lankan Officers
Def Min Examining Jaya's Demand to Send Back SL Officers | news.outlookindia.com

 

[Srinivas]

Chinese always encourage Military Dictators since they will suit their CCP designs. They will never care for opinion of the people.

 

[anarchy 99]

Chinese always encourage Military Dictators since they will suit their CCP designs. They will never care for opinion of the people.

keep crying and crying and crying.
all the while sri lanka moves closer and closer to china.
the indian regime is powerless.

 

[Skyline]

Chinese always encourage Military Dictators since they will suit their CCP designs. They will never care for opinion of the people.

Who are Military Dictators in SL? All our leaders are selected by people's vote.

 

[INDIC]

keep crying and crying and crying.
all the while sri lanka moves closer and closer to china.
the indian regime is powerless.

We don't cry. Just few words "South China Sea."

 

[KRAIT]

It will push India to strengthen its ties with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam etc. not to forget more cooperation between Indian and US navy.

I think China did something good for us coz our ministers need such incidents to wake up and work towards more cooperation towards other nations.

If China get more cooperation with Srilanka and India gets more closer to SCS and few ASEAN countries, I will say its the best thing China did above the economic ties.

 

[Srinivas]

No need Srilanka knows what pakistan and China are doing. They are trying to make Srilankan armed forces anti India and are trying to make the Srilankan military a major player in Srilankan policies just like Pakistan.
This move will always fail, it is upto Srilankans to decide whether they want a democratic regime or a democratic regime who plays for its military just like pakistan.
India is not worried about the recent developments in Srilanka, as India can negate the Chinese hegemonic and War mongering designs in south Asia.
Chinese after failing in ASEAN are trying to persuade Srilanka to do a cuba of US.

It will push India to strengthen its ties with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam etc. not to forget more cooperation between Indian and US navy.

I think China did something good for us coz our ministers need such incidents to wake up and work towards more cooperation towards other nations.

If China get more cooperation with Srilanka and India gets more closer to SCS and few ASEAN countries, I will say its the best thing China did above the economic ties.

No worries mate as far as SCS is concerned there are four major players against China. India,US,Japan and recently Russia. All we have to do is export some Nuclear reactors and some Missile technologies to Vietnam.
This Dragon will become a lizard if we work closely with the above mentioned countries.

 

[samv]

No need Srilanka knows what pakistan and China are doing. They are trying to make Srilankan armed forces anti India and are trying to make the Srilankan military a major player in Srilankan policies just like Pakistan.
This move will always fail, it is upto Srilankans to decide whether they want a democratic regime or a democratic regime who plays for its military just like pakistan.
India is not worried about the recent developments in Srilanka, as India can negate the Chinese hegemonic and War mongering designs in south Asia.
Chinese after failing in ASEAN are trying to persuade Srilanka to do a cuba of US.

Why blame it on China really?

India refuses to have a full defence relationship with Sri Lanka because of Tamil Nadu. China is quite happy to have a full defence relationship with Sri Lanka.

India doesn't want to invest in Sri Lanka, but has a problem when China does. China is now Sri Lanka's largest investor, the biggest provider of loans.

India also armed, trained and funded the LTTE and did precious little to help defeat them. India has played a completely duplicitous role during the conflict. Not good for trust. China actively helped Sri Lanka defeat the LTTE and end 25+ years of bloodshed

India votes against Sri Lanka at the United Nations - being the only Asian nation to do so. China supported Sri Lanka, even actively canvassing for the country

India's political leaders foster separatism in Sri Lanka, even sponsoring separatist conferences and engage in rampant anti-Sri Lankan behaviour. China supports Sri Lanka.

India does nothing to stop its fishermen from continually poaching in Sri Lankan waters but the sky falls down when their poaching fishermen are arrested.

All of this is supposed to engender good neighbourly ties I suppose?

 

[Ticker]

Threatening and coercing Sri Lanka with petty tactical moves will not make any difference. Now that LTTE is gone for a considerable period, or may not be able to raise their head again, the Sri Lankans can start taking advantage of their strategic location, particularly when an alternative in the shape of China and Pakistan is available to them.

The elimination of LTTE gave the Sri Lankans an ability to look beyond India and its coercive manoeuvres. Over a period of time, if Sri Lanka can develop its naval prowess to a level where it can defend itself against a coercive India, India's ability to use Bay of Bengal as her own backyard pond can be seriously challenged. With the Chinese moving in as they are, this may well become a reality not in too distant a future. India's Western Naval Command may find itself blockaded if required, and Andaman and Nicobar advantage would then be neutralized, a Tri-Service Command or a no Tri-Service Command.

These are real possibilities and Sri Lankans need to realize these facts, if they are not already trying to.

 

[Srinivas]

Why blame it on China really?

India refuses to have a full defence relationship with Sri Lanka because of Tamil Nadu. China is quite happy to have a full defence relationship with Sri Lanka.

India doesn't want to invest in Sri Lanka, but has a problem when China does. China is now Sri Lanka's largest investor, the biggest provider of loans.

India also armed, trained and funded the LTTE and did precious little to help defeat them. India has played a completely duplicitous role during the conflict. Not good for trust. China actively helped Sri Lanka defeat the LTTE and end 25+ years of bloodshed

India votes against Sri Lanka at the United Nations - being the only Asian nation to do so. China supported Sri Lanka, even actively canvassing for the country

India's political leaders foster separatism in Sri Lanka, even sponsoring separatist conferences and engage in rampant anti-Sri Lankan behaviour. China supports Sri Lanka.

India does nothing to stop its fishermen from continually poaching in Sri Lankan waters but the sky falls down when their poaching fishermen are arrested.

All of this is supposed to engender good neighbourly ties I suppose?

There is considerable investment of India in Srilanka, The future investments of India and Japan are bigger than China. Now that LTTE is gone and India played a major role in it and helped to strengthen democracy of Srilanka. Chinese are worried about Indian influence and are sending Defense minister.
India is a major player and it was India's assurance that defeated the violence, Arms you can get from any country, the role India played is the crucial one.
The arrest of Chinese stooge Fonseka is a big blow for Chinese designs. And now Chinese are trying to do everything to get a foot hold and make Srilanka an anti China base which will never succeed. The aid they are giving to the military is nothing but making the military a major player in Srilankan politics.

 

[INDIC]

Threatening and coercing Sri Lanka with petty tactical moves will not make any difference. Now that LTTE is gone for a considerable period, or may not be able to raise their head again, the Sri Lankans can start taking advantage of their strategic location, particularly when an alternative in the shape of China and Pakistan is available to them.

What can Pakistan offer them. I can understand China though.

 

[masoomchichora]

china should get permission from superpower india wheather they can build military housing in north east or not

 

[Jade]

There is considerable investment of India in Srilanka, The future investments of India and Japan are bigger than China. Now that LTTE is gone and India played a major role in it and helped to strengthen democracy of Srilanka. Chinese are worried about Indian influence and are sending Defense minister.
India is a major player and it was India's assurance that defeated the violence, Arms you can get from any country, the role India played is the crucial one.
The arrest of Chinese stooge Fonseka is a big blow for Chinese designs. And now Chinese are trying to do everything to get a foot hold and make Srilanka an anti China base which will never succeed. The aid they are giving to the military is nothing but making the military a major player in Srilankan politics.

China knows its limitations. And certainly Sri Lanka will not befriend China at the expense of India