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H’tota Port agreement to be signed tomorrow: PM

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28 July 2017 12:59 pm - 26     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today announced that the government would sign the agreement on the US$1.1 billion Hambantota Port Project tomorrow.

Flanked by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy, the Premier told a news briefing held at its auditorium that the country had lost a staggering Rs.46 billion from the Port since 2011.

“Had we saved this amount, we could have provided medicine and medical treatment for 2.5 million Sri Lankans free of charge,” he said.

The Premier said members of the Opposition were given the opportunity to debate the port project agreement on Friday but they had not availed themselves of the opportunity because they had no grounds to oppose the agreement.

Addressing the concerns of the security related to the Port, he said its commercial, civil and naval activities would be managed as a joint venture but land and security matters would be handled by Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the Mattala Airport, the Premier expressed optimism that the government would be able to enter into an agreement by the end of this year.

“However, we have bad news with regard to the Sooriyawewa Cricket Stadium. There are no takers for this stadium. We will have to pay from our taxes for this project,” he said. (By Lahiru Pothmulla)


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  Comments - 26

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  • Banda Friday, 28 July 2017 01:45 PM

    At Last, This has been dragging on. A sin from Rajapakse government who made money in and the others have to pay. And china is only interested in their pocket. Giving loans to countries that cannot pay back and then take over assets. Better than giving it on a free hold as the last government did. beggers have no choice!

    Mr Bada Friday, 28 July 2017 02:41 PM

    Agreed. Sins of the past government, but negligence of this one too.

    max Friday, 28 July 2017 02:21 PM

    Seems Mr PM no cares of public protests when selling public assets!

    Killa Friday, 28 July 2017 04:45 PM

    First this not sale but lease ,second this is not a public asset but commercial infrastructure. Vast majority of commercial ports are private

    Killa Friday, 28 July 2017 05:34 PM

    What public protests? Since when did Namal became the Public?

    Sam Samarasinghe Friday, 28 July 2017 02:38 PM

    People elected this Government to govern the country.

    BV Friday, 28 July 2017 03:10 PM

    Some people expose their stupidity by not knowing the difference between selling and leasing.

    shantahpriya Friday, 28 July 2017 03:15 PM

    Reminds me of the way he signed an agreement with Eric solheim

    maricar Friday, 28 July 2017 03:26 PM

    VAT increase from 12 - 15% saying to settle loans taken by MR, then why are you selling H. Port, use the VAT money to settle the loans instead of proving luxury vehicles and pocket monies to .....

    Dee Friday, 28 July 2017 04:10 PM

    Are you sure they will sign to takeover this place? Ensure good exit clauses are there. In case they realize it that it aint worth it.

    Sharon Friday, 28 July 2017 04:29 PM

    He will sell the whole country within next two years (if manage to stay in power)

    lion Saturday, 29 July 2017 02:21 PM

    KOLLO mODAYEK WAGE KATHA KARANNA EPA

    Sharon Friday, 28 July 2017 04:30 PM

    The biggest sin of the yahapalakas

    Sharon Friday, 28 July 2017 04:30 PM

    SAITM was staged to cover this....... Well done PM for the super strategy

    Sharon Friday, 28 July 2017 04:34 PM

    He will sign ETCA also when we are watching SAITM. Good support from GMOA.

    H A K Hemantha Friday, 28 July 2017 04:54 PM

    At last very good decision. do immediately

    Gayan Friday, 28 July 2017 04:56 PM

    Ladies

    premila60 Friday, 28 July 2017 06:23 PM

    Excellent, I think now the PM have wake up from the sleep , not too late. and remove the Ravi from his post :-)

    chandrs Friday, 28 July 2017 07:11 PM

    If China can manage port in profitable manner why Sri Lanka cannot manage Government is finding money to coverup loss of bond scam. Very sorry SL. via DM Android App

    lion Saturday, 29 July 2017 10:40 AM

    bond scam is being investigated. Can you ever imagine these things under mara the god father who never took any notice when Cabba is went to the town to conmmon wealth gem. We saw how cabba was dancing with Namal the rouge who steal his black court from Law college,.

    Louis Friday, 28 July 2017 07:37 PM

    Another hangover from Rajapakse, another debt he left. SL will be in debt for generations I am sorry to say, people deserve better.

    Mewan Friday, 28 July 2017 08:53 PM

    I do not think the last government built these things for cosmetic purposes. Had they been in power they would have pulled businesses to the port by hook or by crook. After coming to power this government did not actively look for businesses or a way to get the maximum usage of this port. They wanted to show it as a failure. So here we are now..

    mama Saturday, 29 July 2017 10:42 AM

    boy you are wrong. These were built to put the name of Raja( gon Raja)

    Ben Saturday, 29 July 2017 09:51 AM

    To The PM,Sir Hope you will do this agreement only for 70 years validity,Even in China the Chinese cannot own property for more than 70 years.Also no title deeds should be given, Because in the years to come there will be Chinese Lawyers educated and will even have law degrees for Sri lanka to fight bfor their rights,No clear tiles

    Ramza Saturday, 29 July 2017 10:25 AM

    Courage at last shows on PM's shoulder which was laying on his back, hope he does other matters too in the same vigor and vitality...

    lion Saturday, 29 July 2017 10:32 AM

    signed it fast as you can. this what we got from Rajapaksha. A legacy to put his already defame name. Airport is a real crime he committed against humanity. Money of this poor country is spend in billions to pay interest for theses worth less expenditure. He should pay for all these crime and we are waiting to see it.


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