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H'tota Port: Can't reject agreement out of hand, Mahanayake

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4 January 2017 09:39 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Stressing the need to ensure transparency when entering into agreements, the Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter, the Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said yesterday that he could not approve or disapprove of the agreement to hand over Hambantota Port without first perusing it.

He expressed these views when Joint Opposition (JO) members, led by former speaker, UPFA MP Chamal Rajapaksa, met him at the Malwatte Maha Viharaya.

The JO members had talks with the chief incumbents of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters in Kandy yesterday (Jan 3) regarding the agreement to lease the Hambantota Port for 99-years.

“We should study the agreement before we proceed. We should not forget that this will provide many job opportunities for the residents of the area," he said.

Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa said that the harbour had been built for the industrial development of the area.“I was the minister when the harbour was built. People of the area are agitating as they do not know what this agreement is about. We request the government not to lease the harbour or the lands in the area on secret agreements. They should reveal the contents of the agreement to the country first,” he said.

He said that the residents of Hambantota were worried about the agreement and angry about their lands being given to the Chinese.(J.A.L. Jayasinghe)


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  Comments - 10

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  • Dellon Wednesday, 04 January 2017 09:56 AM

    Cmon now monks seriously when did we have economist in temple

    Vernon Wednesday, 04 January 2017 10:00 AM

    It is not the mandate and it is not appropriate for Maha Nayake thera to comment about the pros and cons of this kind of complex situations.

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 04 January 2017 10:47 AM

    Another example of Buddhism being used with politics and business in Sri Lanka.

    Chux Wednesday, 04 January 2017 10:55 AM

    When your brother gave 55 acres on permanent basis at port city you never said anything and did you divulge

    Lima Wednesday, 04 January 2017 11:09 AM

    WHAT IS THE USE THE MEMBERS OF ROBBRE REGIME NOW TALKING TO TEMPLES , DID THEY SPEAK TO TEMPLES DURING THEIR ROBBER REGIME , ANYBODY COULD ANSWER.. IF THE ROBBER REGIME COULD DO NOTHING TO THE COUNTRY , LET THE NEW GOOD REGIME DO GOOD TO THE FUTURE OF COUNTRY, WHY SO JEALOUS AND UNDERCUTTING. THS IS THE WORK ONLY BY ONE FAMILY , WHOS HEART IS BURNING NOW AFTER LEAVING THE PALACE

    rosebud Wednesday, 04 January 2017 11:09 AM

    With due respect to the reverend monk I doubt he is qualified to comment on this matter. via DM Android App

    Wimal Wednesday, 04 January 2017 05:02 PM

    Many job opportunities for the Chinese prisoners!

    Sunil Wednesday, 04 January 2017 07:21 PM

    All the jobs will go to Chinese not Sri Lankans thanks to Mahinda Rajapaksa...

    Nimal Thursday, 05 January 2017 01:36 AM

    If this deal gives us jobs and improve the economy then it's OK.

    DJ Thursday, 05 January 2017 05:00 AM

    Common Dillon most monks are highly qualified and more knowledgeable than most of the economist advising the govt.


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