SL contradicts Chinese claims on Port City

27 March 2015 09:17 am - 47 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Deputy External Affairs Minister Ajith P. Perera today dismissed the statement made by his Chinese counterpart yesterday that the Chinese-funded Port city project will resume.

Speaking to media at a press conference a short while ago, Minister Perera rejected the Chinese media reports which quoted the nation’s Assistant Minister of Chinese Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao stating that the Port City project is back on track.

He said it was not even a subject of discussion - either during the meeting between the two Presidents or during President Sirisena's discussions with top officials of the Chinese government.

"No decision has been made on whether the project will be completely halted or continued or concerning the issues that have been highlighted regarding the project. The only mention by President Sirisena with concern to the project was that it’s a temporary issue and that Sri Lanka continues to welcome Chinese investors, which in no way implies that the Sri Lankan government or the President has given the green light for the project to continue," he added. (Lakna Paranamanna)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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Comments - 47

TJ Saturday, 28 March 2015 02:36 PM

Wrong. If we need to improve foreigners here more we have to save our heritage and ancient culture and develop the tradition. Best and well educated forigners not coming here for drugs, casinos, prostitutes or enjoy inside a five stars hotels. forgive me if my grammar wrong.

WCo Friday, 27 March 2015 08:41 PM

Why Indian NAVY is in Sri Lanka? The President Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena and thr Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka must not return together for security reasons.

Prem Nath Friday, 27 March 2015 08:42 PM

Even if the government totally stops the port city project it will have to pay a huge compensation along with other charges back to China withing a stipulated time schedule failing which there will be more interest payable as time goes by.What is better,to pay heavily without completion of the project or complete the project and share profits with China?

gamaraala Friday, 27 March 2015 08:46 PM

Has anyone read the agreement before commenting ?

Hema Friday, 27 March 2015 09:32 PM

Very pathetic. Mr. Minister, You are giving statements while the HE is still in China.

Monty Saturday, 28 March 2015 12:13 AM

reading the comments by some people what they cant perceive are following facts. China is asking for a piece of land to be owned by them forever. Why should we give them land from our country. If some govt has done this earlier it is wrong. Next , this govt should not continue with ill conceived projects of MR govt because poor people have to pay back the loans to chinks. This is a burden to people. Talking about foreign policy is assaulting diplomats at parties in foreign capitals a sound foreign? It is sad that some Lankans comment as if they were born yesterday totally forgetting the corruption and thuggery of Rajapaksha regime.

rahula Saturday, 28 March 2015 02:27 AM

Sri Lanka is currently engaged in a non shooting war with China. Any Sri Lanka.that backs China and not Sri Lanka and the President are traitors to the nation.

Chinaman Saturday, 28 March 2015 03:59 AM

We are not begging you but remember that nobody is going to throw 1.5 billion dollars for a small country like yours. We deserve to be treated well and our right to the land for the term means we have the freedom to construct and operate based on our national interest. You get a port free after the stated 99 years, literally free of cost. Coming to construction- most of our projects are executed with our own experts and technicians. SL will benefit in terms of local labor.

kumara Saturday, 28 March 2015 04:41 AM

This is what I was afraid of! Typical bullying of a smaller nation by the second largest power!! IF this project is indeed beneficial to Sri Lanka, then the GOSL would do a review of the due diligence, and approve it in its (GOSL) own time. What right has a Chinese government official to make that announcement (in a reprimanding manner), whilst our President is still their guest? Prime Minister Modi came to Colombo: likewise the Chinese President should have come to Colombo. Let is not fool ourselves. The Chinese want access to Hambantota for the "silk road" as well as Colombo, in the event of a serious confrontation with India or the West. They may have helped us at a time of need but their need is now greater than mere politeness. No country will do anything for another nation for nothing. Like the late Minister Kadirgamar said, " There is nothing called a free lunch".

kumara Saturday, 28 March 2015 04:43 AM

Without just putting your thumb down, tell us why you think it is important to Sri Lanka and what are the tangible benefits to the "common man".

De Mel Saturday, 28 March 2015 02:15 PM

This government had enough time to study the approvals given by various government agencies. The Investor published all the relevant information and no one contradicted it. How can you expect any one to invest in Sri Lanka without respecting even a contract attested by two heads of state?

MTM Saturday, 28 March 2015 02:23 PM

We as Sri Lankan proud to see a beautiful city coming up. Which truly will give employment for poor as well as middle class. Not only this but also an important tourist attraction to thousands of visitors. Sri Lanka will benefit economically. All what we need is to sort out the shortcomings and re enter the contracts to ensure that by doing, Sri Lanka will benefit. The Government should respect all comments regarding this project and they should sort out and ensure the environment is not effected. The Chinese helped us in our road construction. Is it bad? No but sort comings are there, that is what we should avoid for a modern Sri Lanka for us and for our future generation in general. Forgive me if I am wrong.

Maven Friday, 27 March 2015 08:15 PM

Important is because it is 200 billion worth investment that is not funded by tax payers. It will benefit by thousands and thousands of jobs.

viraj Saturday, 28 March 2015 05:25 PM

We should go ahead with this valuable important project.

Kadira Saturday, 28 March 2015 05:50 PM

Good words sovereignity, giving valuable land etc. Where were you when the SL government gave 163 Hectares of land to the VOA, under economic threat from the US? https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/11956 and Iranawila is within the country and not reclaimed land as in port city.

Prem Nath Saturday, 28 March 2015 08:33 PM

Land is also given permanantly to the British and American in the heart of Colombo?

Push Saturday, 28 March 2015 09:20 PM

However much we don’t like this project now that it has commenced constructions, the government has to act professionally. Just because the previous people made blunders for their personal financial gains, a responsible government should keep to that standard. All international financial factors, social and political issues and most importantly environmental impact issues should be studied in great detail before the green light is given for the go ahead of the project.

Push Saturday, 28 March 2015 09:22 PM

If a proper environmental impact assessment (EIA) has not been done, this process may take years to get a comprehensive EIA.

prasanna Saturday, 28 March 2015 09:55 PM

What about Eranawila voice of America? Who allowed foreigners to buy our lands? who cancelled that right?

Monty Sunday, 29 March 2015 01:45 AM

Chinks are throwing money because they want to own a piece of this reclaimed land forever to get a foothold in Indian ocean. Further we have to pay back the loan Please read the ppr. ad. placed by chinks in Sinhala and English papers.

Sesath Sunday, 29 March 2015 06:47 AM

This is the famous quote by UNP and gang during election campaign. No one is suggesting we should be ruining our heritage to build the new citys. Then we should remain like vaddas to get more toursists, Diversity is the best so we could get people both categories and the net total will be much higher. If our concern is local culture we can easily take measures to prevent locals from entering those places except people like Malaka Silva who will probably die if he is not allowed for these placed :) I am also quite sure if UNP comes to power for a longer period they will re-start this project without this major ha ho. This is all to manage India and no other reason. India is bloody scared about China and putting all the pressure. China has already taken steps to have their foothold in South African region by helping poor countries ( strategically as well). It is a reality they are going to be the next super power and US or India will not be able to prevent it.

Lakshman De Silva Sunday, 29 March 2015 07:02 AM

No incoming goverment can terminate a on going contract signed by the previous government as per Sri Lanka business Law. This is just a revenge move by Sirisena government

Deshapremi Bimbisara Sunday, 29 March 2015 08:23 AM

We will not give 20 Hectares of Sri Lanka to Chinese on free hold basis.

Gamaraala Sunday, 29 March 2015 08:25 AM

All Sri Lankans who are interested in educating themselves on Chinese expansionist agenda behind their vast reserve of US Dollars, go to Google and search "Spratly Island Dispute"...

damithw Friday, 27 March 2015 05:28 PM

Main problem for the confusion is : We have TWO Head of States making decisions.

hiran Gunawardena Friday, 27 March 2015 03:44 PM

Govt haven't got a clue what they doing. via DM Android App

mawella Friday, 27 March 2015 04:01 PM

Mr Ministeryou are overstepping, the matters handles by the HE. Check your 100 days Horoscope

Jay2 Friday, 27 March 2015 04:03 PM

We have two governments not one which is the root clause of all this confusion.

Monty Friday, 27 March 2015 04:06 PM

Chinese can make any allegation but this Govt did not enter into any agreement with them. This Govt should do what is best for the poor people of the country and not what is good for Rajapakshas or Chinese Govt. with regard port city project.

yesme Friday, 27 March 2015 04:03 PM

Lanka you need quality politicians not security guards... via DM Android App

simon Friday, 27 March 2015 04:11 PM

Port City has become a big joke !

NoHandouts Friday, 27 March 2015 04:20 PM

So what should the Government do? Just give poor people cash? The result will be the same, no improvement due to the mentality of the poor. Investing in our future creates jobs and grows our middle class, not placates the lower class (who are happy with their lower achievements actually).

RA Friday, 27 March 2015 04:30 PM

We must teach Chinese a good lesson for saying lies. We destroyed LTTE and Chinese are nothing. We should declare war against China. I AM NOT SURPRISED IF YOU A STATEMENT LIKE THAT BY OUR POLITICIANS

Hansith Friday, 27 March 2015 04:56 PM

What ever happens to this project it seems like China does not give a shi -- about this visit. They ignore it so much I guess. Just go to the link of Xinhua which is their main news paper and there is no mentioning of SL president visit even our local media make a big hype about it. This is the true nature of so called great foreign policy we have

Talpe Friday, 27 March 2015 05:03 PM

It is not feasible for Sri Lankan government to go ahead with this project in my view. we should not allow the sovereignty of sri lanka to amend in such way so that business can prosper. Giving valuable land to 3rd party is a consequence for the future geography. interns of land /sea. It is wrongful to allow valuable sea/land area for 99 yrs of lease. Many article stated it is US$1.5 billion and other stipulate it is about US$5.4 billion investment. weather it is about US$10.00 billion project, sri lankan government should not allow. Previous government would have sold anything as long as they could benefit. We would like to see all those culprits brought to justice and find all the money. This way, we could have a megger project like this with our own money! You dont sell country like this ! you protect it. and live and develop the country what we have, ie, our knowledge, history culture and values.

RA Friday, 27 March 2015 05:13 PM

Really. That means whenever we have a new government, all agreements entered into by the previous government become null

sach Friday, 27 March 2015 03:30 PM

Sl has become a laughing stock-----bankrupt foreign policy!

appuhamy Friday, 27 March 2015 05:45 PM

The government is at fault and the so called national papers are equally guilty of not trying to educate the nation about what is so bad about this agreement. The general public are clueless as to what is going on. I.e what controls and rights will SL government have over the land to be given on free hold basis and on 99 year lease. Do the Chinese get ownership of the sea bed in the area given to them. Why kind of buildings factories etc are allowed. Can India and other countries set up operations in the remaining land area that will belong to SL government. All our Deshapremi s should be asking these questions.

appuhamy Friday, 27 March 2015 06:03 PM

The government is at fault and the so called national papers are equally guilty of not trying to educate the nation about what is going on. I.e what controls and rights will SL government have over the land to be given to the Chinese. What types of investment will be allowed in this area that is to be given on free hold basis and on 99 year lease. Will Chinese have the right to mine the sea bed in this area. Can India and other countries set up operations in the area that will belong to the SL government. These questions should be asked by our Deshapremi s and ministers of the previous government who approved this project.

mack Friday, 27 March 2015 06:06 PM

can anyone tell me why port city is so important to SL and how will it benefit the middle class and the poor of this country via DM Android App

Mason Friday, 27 March 2015 06:41 PM

The government should consider what is good for our people. The Port City project was conceived by China and not by Sri Lanka. There lies the crux of the problem. Do you want to pander to China at our expense ?

chaminda Friday, 27 March 2015 06:45 PM

WTF.. ? all the politicians fill up their own pockets, never let the country grove..

Jeff Friday, 27 March 2015 07:04 PM

Pathetic that UNP is starting to sound like socialists by each day. Poor people need jobs Not stop a city construction.

pali Friday, 27 March 2015 07:47 PM

This misunderstanding must be due to the language problem.

Pottaya Friday, 27 March 2015 08:01 PM

By your logic, shouldnt we take back the land we sold to Americans on Galle road to build their embassy? Same goes for the British embassy and also many foreigners who have purchased land outright in Sri Lanka.

Pottaya Friday, 27 March 2015 08:10 PM

OK minister, can you then please explain to us what your president meant when he used the expression temporary issue in describing the halting of the project? May be this governments understanding of temporary is different from ours.

Jeff Friday, 27 March 2015 08:14 PM

It will only make when 19A is passed. Sad Sad.

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SL contradicts Chinese claims on Port City

Comments - 47

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