No new proposal to handover ECT Development to India

18 October 2018 05:52 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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No new Cabinet proposal had been submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe or any minister to handover the Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ECT) development to India, the Daily Mirror learns.

Reports earlier said President Maithripala Sirisena and the Prime Minister had a showdown at the Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting as the President was opposed to a proposal made to handover ECT Development to India.

Highly placed sources at the Government yesterday rejected the reports and said that Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe had submitted a fresh proposal to Cabinet on Tuesday to develop the ECT only by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), rescinding a proposal previously approved by the Cabinet in 2017 to develop the ECT under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

Following the Cabinet approval in 2017, deliberations at the highest levels of Governments of India, Japan and Sri Lanka had taken place on the ECT development. An MoU had been signed between Sri Lanka and India to develop the ECT as a joint venture in April last year following the Cabinet approval.

After taking into consideration the already signed MoU and granted Cabinet approval, the Prime Minister has requested the Cabinet to defer the proposal in view of his upcoming visit to India.

He had said that it is unwise to revoke an MoU unilaterally. Therefore, had requested time to take up the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and come to an agreement during his Indian visit which commences today (18).

Subsequently, the Cabinet of Ministers had agreed to postpone the new proposal for two weeks.

The source said Development Strategies and Internal Trade Ministry, which had submitted observations over the new proposal, had said that the government to government deliberations held between Sri Lanka, Japan and India should be considered when developing the ECT.

“In the circumstances, it is considered important to consider the decision on ECT development in the light of the discussions held at the highest level, while ensuring a commercially viable development model,” Ministry said.

The ECT development had been planned to take place in three stages; the first stage with Indian assistance, second stage with Japanese assistance and the third stage by Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had highlighted at the Cabinet meeting that 80 percent of transshipments handling at the Colombo Port was from India and therefore, it would affect Sri Lanka if the signed MoU was rescinded. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 12

Ranjan Thursday, 18 October 2018 07:23 AM

We knew for long time how dangerous India was to Sri Lanka. Now with this report about Indian spies plotting to kill the President ,we must act as strong as we can and throw out all Indian commercial ventures in Sri Lanka. The Police and the Tri Forces should round up all the Indian agents before they go into hiding.

Banda Thursday, 18 October 2018 07:26 AM

Look how desperately Ranil is fighting for India, he is a danger to Sri Lanka.

Saman Adikari Thursday, 18 October 2018 07:39 AM

UNP of hardcore leader of RW working on pro-Indian lobby want sell all ours national assets and wealth to Indian for cheap price. This was what that policy of JRJ-UNP did in 1987 sing accord with Rajeeva Gandi. UNP has surrender nation sovereignty to India at that time. Current also doing same thing that UNP want to remain in political-power by support of Indian RAW...selling all our nation wealth to Indian by Ranil Wicks.Current UNP leaders want to be remain in power by puppet Indian regime in Island

666 Thursday, 18 October 2018 08:07 AM

There is a JO mole in the cabinet who feeds twisted reports to the media on what is taking place at cabinet meetings.

Shelly Thursday, 18 October 2018 08:54 AM

UNP brought an inexperienced and introverted person and kept him at the top of new world . And UNP thought an all party UNITY GOVT. .thereby unobstructive nation Is needed take country among developed nations. Unfortunately the expected mentalities and wisdom are not forthcmming.

will Thursday, 18 October 2018 09:27 AM

Ranil won't win a election and will not come to power as executive president,only possible way is make him as how Wijethunga came to power,though how isolated and innocent, he is the head of the land,remove him will bring many avenues to opportunists,this is so possible when consider mind set of mafia got involved central bank scam.

smartgent Thursday, 18 October 2018 09:35 AM

It is not a question that Ranil leaning towards India. A MOU has been signed with India for the project in question with the SL cabinet approval. Hence, revoking it will not be wise for future of our country. Talks between Ranil/Modi on former's visit to India may bring about a solution. We shall wait to see the outcome, without accusing the politicians.

Sunda Thursday, 18 October 2018 09:42 AM

Now the Indians are caught with their pants down, the so called Indian “supporters” who frequent these pages with strong pro-Indian comments have also gone into hiding .

Rasu Thursday, 18 October 2018 03:51 PM

Sunda - when we wanted help to bring down the war we went to them in bended knees. Remember we are a dot in this world compared to Indian sub continent. Have you ever stepped out of SL ? We need India's help to develop our country. It's pathetic we are trying to get contracts with paying ten percent to the ministers.

TK Friday, 19 October 2018 12:02 AM

The war was finished off by our boys,what Indians did in Sri Lanka was killing and raping the Tamils 31 years ago.

Sunda Friday, 19 October 2018 12:05 AM

Rasu,I am an academic in the West,Americans can take out India in 72 hours.

Harini Thursday, 18 October 2018 06:00 PM

If the government rejected a claim, you can be sure it's going to happen with some tall story for why they absolutely had to. Watch this space.

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No new proposal to handover ECT Development to India

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