West’s criticism of Lankan human rights record concerned India

THE TIMES OF INDIA    TNN | Sep 4, 2011
NEW DELHI: In what might prove to be a political embarrassment for Congress in Tamil Nadu, aWikileaks cable has revealed that India viewed Western criticism of Sri Lanka's human rights record with concern as it felt shunning the island nation would drive it towards China.

An Indian official in the external affairs ministry told US diplomats that the West - by shunning a victorious Sri Lanka (after its defeat of the LTTE) over human rights issues - "pushed Sri Lanka into China's arms", and opened the region to the influence of both China and Iran.   Full Story>>>
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Revised Galle Face deal offered to Chinese firm

Sunday September 04, 2011

Outright purchase changed to 99-year lease, but questions over CATIC’s acceptance

The Cabinet has now given approval for a 99-year lease of seven acres of prime land near Galle Face Green to China National Aero Technology and Export Corporation (CATIC). This is after reversing an earlier decision for the outright sale of the land for around US dollars 125 million (or about Rs 13.7 billion). It is not immediately clear whether CATIC — China’s aircraft manufacturing and marketing firm — would accept the offer or demand that its money be refunded. CATIC is learnt to have already remitted to the Treasury the amount involved.    Full Story>>>