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Govt. invited China, India power struggle into SL: Gota

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30 March 2018 07:12 am - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government has invited the power struggle between China and India into the country by handing over national assets to these two countries, former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.

He said the Hambantota Port was leased out to China by the government citing false reasons and India was offered the Mattala Airport afterwards.

“We had plans to make the port viable. After coming to power, this government stopped all projects for two years. Then, it leased out the Hambantota Port to China after creating a bogus debt trap. When India became nervous, the government offered them the Mattala Airport. Any upcoming government or leader will have to address this issue and overcome it,” he told a Viyath Maga Seminar held in Kuliyapitiya on Wednesday.

He said the monopoly of the world economy was shifting towards the Asian Region and Sri Lanka should seize the opportunity to successfully face this economic transition.

“We should gear ourselves to seize the opportunity to develop the country and to uplift the economy of the people. We should not rely too heavily on our youth to generate an income working as labourers. The skills of our youth should be improved and for that, we need to change our education policy,” he said.

Mr. Rajapaksa said those who are attempting to topple the government should have a backup plan ready on how to run the country afterwards.

"You can’t simply defeat the government and then start thinking of policies and plans. We have to think about them now and make long-term and short-term plans to develop the country and to uplift the livelihoods of the people,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)


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  Comments - 14

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  • Jagath Leanage Friday, 30 March 2018 05:54 AM

    So whats wrong ? During the past regime where your brother was the head , he too did the same thing . Therefore you have to keep your mouth shut . But I too against of handing national assets to other countries . My point is g.r. cant talk on this issue .

    Jude Friday, 30 March 2018 06:01 AM

    For a raised as Lankan and being a American citizen, lately Gota making lots of novice about politics pertaining to SL!!! I wonder Why!!?????

    Jude Friday, 30 March 2018 06:17 AM

    I hate to be the guy to tell you this!! A new amendment to Constitution will prohibits any one who Renounce Lankan citizen before!!, Cannot be a candidate to contest to the presidency of SL,,!!!???Period, No Exceptions!!!

    Ceylon Friday, 30 March 2018 07:24 AM

    This man is showing his stupidity.

    Dee Friday, 30 March 2018 07:42 AM

    Go back to your homeland in the US.

    dulan Friday, 30 March 2018 07:49 AM

    Oh my God where was this wisdom when doing odd jobs in USA?

    Janaya Friday, 30 March 2018 08:41 AM

    So, you fellows wanted SL to be another Tibet!!?

    lankan Friday, 30 March 2018 03:13 PM

    not far from it, if you are a free country, can you invite Dalai Lama?

    Unchikun Friday, 30 March 2018 09:04 AM

    Hey man, you are talking to the "Grass Eating Lions". I am a real lion.

    Patriot Friday, 30 March 2018 09:06 AM

    What you say is true but what's the point you being a foreigner. Whoever make the next government, please don't think of join as an official, there is no moral ground for that now. We know our crucial high positions should not be given to foreigners.

    Jaliya Saturday, 31 March 2018 11:45 AM

    There is absolutely nothing foreign about this man. I wish there was ... truth is you don't know the difference. Have you ever looked at a old piece of a charcoal ? No matter at what angle you look at or under any light condition it is a piece of charcoal not a diamond ... that's the difference.

    Roshan Saturday, 31 March 2018 10:30 AM

    Do we need any advice from a foreigner...or foreigners. Where is wimal....withesa kumanthiranaya karaya...

    Jaliya Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:30 PM

    We had plans to make the port viable. After coming to power, this government stopped all projects for two years. ….. Fact is you cannot find enough labor force to work in a place where the sun heats up your testicles when sitting in shade. [Hambantota] For an example I visited the mega port construction area with one person from CCC [China communications and construction] and stunned to find that the labor force there are mainly Indians and some Bangladeshi's ... what happened here ? SL labor too expensive and unreliable ... I agreed. Can GR elaborate in detail how he is going to make the dead port viable ? Building an airport in a wild life area … no airline is in the right mind to fly there … it is an accident waiting to happen and the departure procedures takes up more fuel to join the desired route. I think we are lucky to unload this whole airport to Indians … when they fails we can use it as a prison or a rehabilitation center for people like GR.

    Reader Saturday, 31 March 2018 12:44 PM

    Making that port viable is a dream or a myth without the involvement of a reputed shipping line or a major port operator. Former regime failed to show signs of viability over several years. Same with that airport. Assumptions in the feasibility reports of those projects are non achievable for many years. So rather than let them deteriorate must give to a capable party to operate them. If China and India are interested why complain.


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