COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to inaugurate a hydropower and irrigation project that was long delayed due to international sanctions on his government and other issues.
Raisi is the first Iranian leader to visit Sri Lanka since former President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad visited the country in 2008.
The project, valued at $514 million, was started in 2010 by Iran’s FARAB engineering group and Iran initially provided $50 million. But in 2013, funding could not be continued because of international sanctions against Iran. The Sri Lankan government then decided to complete the project with its own funds using the same Iranian contractor.
The project was scheduled for completion in 2015 but was delayed by the sanctions, technical issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said.
Athens skies turn an orange hue with dust clouds from North Africa
Upgrades begin on State Highway 6 Frankton intersection
Crews at vegetation fire in Horowhenua
Trump poised for billions as stock market deal passes
Meg Bennett dead at 75 following cancer battle: Emmy
Iniesta says he faced double taxation, asks for a settlement
Colorado crime lab scientist accused of tainting DNA data in hundreds of cases
Up to 300mm more rain forecast for Westland before Thursday night
Kenya to invest 1.9 mln USD to boost EV adoption in 3 years
All Newshub operations to be shut down, 250 jobs to go
Junta attacks in Myanmar’s Bago region kill 8, displace 6,000 — Radio Free Asia
New Plymouth councillor questions cost of new otter enclosure at Brooklands Zoo