Adani Group’s investment to develop Eastern Terminal of Colombo Port President’s assurance regarding investment cannot be accepted

• A paper had been approved by the Cabinet to hand 49 per cent equity to Adani Group India
• Adani Group might bring in its own workforce from India to work in the Eastern Terminal

By Yohan Perera  

The President’s assurance that India’s Adani Group is only making an investment to develop the Eastern Terminal of Colombo Port cannot be accepted unless the Cabinet paper pertaining to the deal is amended, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP said yesterday.  

SJB MP J. C. Alawathuwala told a press conference that a paper had been approved by the Cabinet to hand 49 per cent equity to Adani Group India. “How can one accept the assurance when the Cabinet paper is clearly saying that the Indian company will get a 49 per cent stake,” the MP said.  

“Besides how can anyone accept these assurances in a situation where plans have been drawn up to sell all lands along the stretch where the Lotus Tower is, down D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, to foreign companies?” he asked.  
Also he said that Adani Group might bring in its own workforce from India to work in the Eastern Terminal. The MP said his party has no issue with the opening of the largest tyre factory in Southeast Asia. 

“We are not against investors but one must remember that it was our Yahapalana government which brought these investor to Sri Lanka. I also participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of this factory during our regime,” he said. 

• Plans have been drawn up to sell all lands along the stretch where the  Lotus Tower is