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Cabinet approval granted to sell Eastern Jetty to India: JVP

15 December 2020 09:46 pm - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government was forced to sell state property such as ports and air ports to come out of the debt crisis the country is facing for which Cabinet approval was granted yesterday to sell the Eastern Jetty of the Colombo Harbour, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

JVP politburo member Sunil Hadunnetti told a news conference that the government had to obtain more loans to repay the existing loans.

“The government has faced a crisis in obtaining foreign loans as credit rating agencies have downgraded Sri Lanka. The government has lost all channels of obtaining loans internationally to repay the dollar loans. This has resulted in other countries to intervene and force the government to sell state resources at a bargain,” he said.

Mr. Hadunnetti said that decline in foreign reserves, negative economic growth rate, decline in foreign exchange earning through tourism industry and migrant workers had aggravated the debt crisis.

He said ports and air ports of the country was important as Sri Lanka was a trade and maritime hub in the Indian Ocean and added that Sri Lanka was criticised internationally for its deal with China selling the Hambantota Port.

“However, the government is planning to sell the Eastern Jetty of the Colombo Port disregarding its pledge to the people that it would not sell any of the state resources. Government is trying to justify the selling of the jetty claiming that the revenue of the Ports Authority is not sufficient to develop the port. The governments that had ruled the country so far should take the responsibility for bringing about such a situation not the employees of the port,” he said.

He said it was earlier proposed to develop the port through a Public Private Partnership with a joint venture with India and Japan. However, the Cabinet Paper that was approved this week allowed the Eastern Jetty to be sold to India's Adani Group, a Company nominated by the Indian Government.

“We are trying everything possible as a party against this move. We invite all patriotic people to come forward to urge the government to withdraw this destructive move,” he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)

Cabinet approval granted to sell Eastern Jetty to India: JVP


The Government was forced to sell state property such as ports and air ports to come out of the debt crisis the country is facing for which Cabinet approval was granted yesterday to sell the Eastern Jetty of the Colombo Harbour, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said.

JVP politburo member Sunil Hadunnetti told a news conference that the government had to obtain more loans to repay the existing loans.

“The government has faced a crisis in obtaining foreign loans as credit rating agencies have downgraded Sri Lanka. The government has lost all channels of obtaining loans internationally to repay the dollar loans. This has resulted in other countries to intervene and force the government to sell state resources at a bargain,” he said.

Mr. Hadunnetti said that decline in foreign reserves, negative economic growth rate, decline in foreign exchange earning through tourism industry and migrant workers had aggravated the debt crisis.

He said ports and air ports of the country was important as Sri Lanka was a trade and maritime hub in the Indian Ocean and added that Sri Lanka was criticised internationally for its deal with China selling the Hambantota Port.

“However, the government is planning to sell the Eastern Jetty of the Colombo Port disregarding its pledge to the people that it would not sell any of the state resources. Government is trying to justify the selling of the jetty claiming that the revenue of the Ports Authority is not sufficient to develop the port. The governments that had ruled the country so far should take the responsibility for bringing about such a situation not the employees of the port,” he said.

He said it was earlier proposed to develop the port through a Public Private Partnership with a joint venture with India and Japan. However, the Cabinet Paper that was approved this week allowed the Eastern Jetty to be sold to India's Adani Group, a Company nominated by the Indian Government.

“We are trying everything possible as a party against this move. We invite all patriotic people to come forward to urge the government to withdraw this destructive move,” he said.(Ajith Siriwardana)


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  Comments - 8

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  • DJ Tuesday, 15 December 2020 10:17 PM

    When a part was given to JKH (CBK time) no one spoke, then a part was given to China Harbour (MR time) hardly anyone spoke, now there is 2 more parts so share it to justify and keep mother India happy. What a bunch of spineless leaders we have.

    Hesh Tuesday, 15 December 2020 10:45 PM

    These guys don't know a thing called public private partnership. The countries that they hail as developed do this all the time.

    GHTY Tuesday, 15 December 2020 10:59 PM

    Where were you when Ranil Wickremasinghe signed agreement with the US

    FF Tuesday, 15 December 2020 11:16 PM

    THEY WILL BE COMPELLED TO GO BEGGING TO CHINA, WHO WILL GLADLY HELP KNOWING WELL THAT THEY CAN ACQUIRE ALL ASSETS OF THIS COUNTRY

    Gal Roni Tuesday, 15 December 2020 11:19 PM

    If what you say is true it should be termed asking eating, Ask Gamme Ma Pila and Welewansa to comment on it ,as they are most qualified to do so.

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 16 December 2020 08:54 AM

    You fight a war for 35 years with your own citizens with much destruction

    Buddhist Wednesday, 16 December 2020 06:37 PM

    In opposition present Govt condemned lease agreement of Hambantota, now they are selling the port?

    Martin Milton Wednesday, 16 December 2020 07:11 PM

    This is a veritable kick in the 'guts' for all the hard working people in the Port and Sri Lanka in general. This is arrogant antinational behaviour by this GOSL. Extremely sad state of affairs. Are the people going to stand by and let this sale go through?? First it wa Hambantota Port And now it is Colombo. Next will be Trincomalee to US??? Heaven forbid. What a simplistic antinational bunch of no gooders. MM


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