Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Port City: Indian pressure forced SL to suspend and revisit project: Rajitha

By

2 August 2016 11:41 pm - 24     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne revealed today that the Chinese funded ‘Port City Project’ (PCP) initiated by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government had to be suspended and re-visited under pressure from India.

He told the weekly Cabinet news briefing that a new tripartite contract would be signed shortly with all clauses in the original agreement inimical or unfavourable to Sri Lanka being removed with new conditions included.

“There was opposition to the project from several quarters leading to the UNP vowing to suspend it on assuming office. However, it was the Indian government that forewarned Sri Lanka of the negatives in the event Sri Lanka went ahead. India said once completed, the project will not come under the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka with a big question mark on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty,” the minister said.

He said India had pointed out that the project management could refuse landing rights to Sri Lanka’s aircraft on the properties under its purview and prohibit the use of its air space.

Under the new tripartite agreement to be signed by the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), a subsidiary of the of the China Communications and Constructions Company Ltd (CCCC), the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry and the Urban Development Authority (UDA) has removed the contentious issues in the original contract.

For instance, according to the agreement signed in September 2014 by the Rajapaksa government, 20 hectares of land was be granted to the CHEC Port City (Pvt) Ltd on a freehold basis and the rest on 99-year lease. The new government has decided that no land will be given on freehold basis but on 99-year lease.

Under the new agreement the above has expanded in favour of the GOSL to include healthcare and hospitals and exhibition and convention centres and the new Colombo International Financial Centre. Also no restrictions will be placed on developing the North and West ports of the Colombo Harbour. In addition, the project company has agreed to set up the CIFC building in the land area reclaimed first including making a new investment in the CIFC building no sooner it is technically feasible to build on reclaimed land and upon mutually acceptable terms being agreed with the GOSL after a feasibility study. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Video by Janaka


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 24

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • TJ Wednesday, 03 August 2016 09:03 AM

    Perhaps MR was toppled because he refused to succumb to the Indian pressure. So watch out. India will not tolerate anti Indian activity in its back yard.

    banda Thursday, 04 August 2016 09:27 AM

    The clique that had come to power with lies and deception is now trying to rule with more lies.

    malij Wednesday, 03 August 2016 06:04 PM

    The head line of this article should have been "Indian pressure had opened our eyes and forced SL to suspend and revisit the project." The current heading is totally misleading judging from the comments.

    malij Wednesday, 03 August 2016 05:58 PM

    It is better to read the contents before commenting. India had pointed out that port city would be a Chinese colony once completed, with the SL Govt having no jurisdiction over it. Hence, in case of a China -India war, the Chinese territory in Sri Lankan soil could be a target for India.

    Mewwa Wela Wednesday, 03 August 2016 05:32 PM

    OMG until now I thought MY3 and Ranil are the heads of state. Seems like it's Mody after all. What a shame Mr Rajitha?

    TONY Wednesday, 03 August 2016 05:00 PM

    THERE IS NOT AN IOTA OF DOUBT THAT WE ARE CONTROLLED BY INDIA. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN LTTE WERE ABOUT TO BE WIPED OUT UNDER JR

    TONY Wednesday, 03 August 2016 04:58 PM

    MR WAS ALWAYS STRONG WITH ALL THE PEOPLE, EVEN WITH HIS OWN COUNTRYMEN. THAT IS WHY HE RULED THE COUNTRY AND WANTS TO RUN IT UNTIL HIS DEATH

    AA Wednesday, 03 August 2016 09:54 AM

    well said ! INDIA always want to keep SRI LANKA under their control which is detrimental to our growth.

    tarzan Wednesday, 03 August 2016 09:22 AM

    if you try to defend your back borne, you will lose your head

    Dinu Wednesday, 03 August 2016 09:21 AM

    Hi guys We can't tolerate soMuch like this , we had a wish this government could do something than previous , but this is also for self depend , they don't think about our people future , it's time to wake up again

    AB Wednesday, 03 August 2016 09:08 AM

    NO one cares for our Nation and all who are commenting on this forum can do only that and do nothing constructive about the issues.

    Missaka Wednesday, 03 August 2016 09:04 AM

    This shows, how great the then President MR, with solid policies.

    waco Wednesday, 03 August 2016 05:12 AM

    Government without a back-borne.

    Strategist Wednesday, 03 August 2016 08:55 AM

    Such a Chinese project would have ensured that there was no poking of fingers in SL by the US and India.

    Ajantha Wednesday, 03 August 2016 08:40 AM

    Now we can understand the position of a sovereign country. We are governed by India. This so called Indian pressure was never in sight during MR rule. We did not know whether India was in existence even., Where was this pressure from west,human rights etc during his rule. They were scared to raise these issues with a man like MR.

    Ravi Wednesday, 03 August 2016 08:33 AM

    Mahinda was strong with Indians, did not allow them to dictate terms.

    Lakshman De Silva Wednesday, 03 August 2016 08:26 AM

    Sri Lanka is a sovereign country and not an acolyte of India who financed and trained the LTTE that killed thousands including top political figures and the very President Premadasa.India has no right to dictate to Sri Lanka what Sri Lanka should do. China had been for decades close friend of Ceylon / SriLanka and provided rice yo Sri Lanka and many free gifts such as the Supreme court, The Bandaranaike International Conference Hall.

    pras Wednesday, 03 August 2016 07:54 AM

    we knew all along that we under india from the time yahapalanaya took over. we lost our identity which was restored by MR via DM Android App

    Nihal Wednesday, 03 August 2016 07:53 AM

    Like we didn't know. India only agreed to "allow" the project with the condition that ETCA will be signed. That is why port city is still dragging.

    chandra Wednesday, 03 August 2016 07:50 AM

    Now every body can see how powerful India and our politician are dancing to their tunes.

    Sri Lankan Wednesday, 03 August 2016 07:42 AM

    Did the GMOA (Allways talking) help in reducing the pressure!!?

    Sanjaya Wednesday, 03 August 2016 06:32 AM

    So we are a colony of India and we have to dance to their tunes? Where is the backbone of Sri Lankan politicians? I guess the ones who had are no more in power unfortunately. Now it is dancing to the tunes of the diaspora and tunes of India?

    Citizen Silva Wednesday, 03 August 2016 06:29 AM

    Cat is out of the bag !!!

    Joe rajah Wednesday, 03 August 2016 05:51 AM

    My god they sold the country to neo colonialism what we fought againt the british colonialism leftist parties always cry againt capitalism and colonilism clossed thei eyes and mouth


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H