SL Ambassador to China clarifies on Lotus Tower Project

19 September 2019 11:11 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku today issued a clarification regarding the Lotus Tower project allegations.

“Since the Lotus Tower was declared open on Monday, the 16th of September 2019, various news versions have been shared regarding the companies that were involved in its construction. I am releasing this interim statement to clarify the extent of the interventions in this matter by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing, as my name has also been mentioned in some of the reports.

The construction of the Lotus Tower had originally been assigned to two Chinese companies, namely the China National Electronics Importers & Exporters Corporation (CEIEC) and the Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd. (ALIT). In mid-2018, His Excellency President Sirisena telephoned me in Beijing and requested that I look into the whereabouts of the second company (ALIT), as letters posted to it by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka had been returned to Colombo informing that no such company was at the given address.

I then entrusted the task of tracing the current location of ALIT (since the company was no longer located at the given address) to the Head of the Commercial Section of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing. After much effort, the Embassy found that the company had moved to a different location, as well as withdrawn from the Lotus Tower project without informing the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. Once the company's new premises were located, we visited it and met the officials who were present there at the time. They then informed us that their company (ALIT) was no longer involved in the Lotus Tower project.

Following this meeting, the Embassy prepared a report about our visit and the meeting, and this report was forwarded to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka for their information. Simultaneously, we were able to establish connections with the other company (CEIEC), and the Lotus Tower project went ahead to be completed this year.

The above information is given based on my recollections of the interventions made by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing regarding this project a few months ago. The names of those who were present at the meeting we attended, as well as the contents of the Embassy’s detailed report on what transpired at the meeting, will be issued for further clarification upon my return 10 Beijing on the weekend,” the statement issued by Dr. Kodituwakku said.

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Comments - 13

Hesh Thursday, 19 September 2019 11:31 PM

ayyo sira

Ozman Thursday, 19 September 2019 11:58 PM

Dr Kodituwakku is a honorable person with the highest integrity. It’s a timely response with facts

Ram Friday, 20 September 2019 04:51 AM

No word about why they backed out after collecting 2 Billion

Nadeeka Abeyrathne Friday, 20 September 2019 04:55 AM

This shows how dubious the Chinese system works. When the Chinese involves in a project., its a Chinese bank do the fund and then the Chinese govt chose the contractors they have absolute control of the project though its poor SL tax payers need to pay with interest.

Daham Friday, 20 September 2019 05:08 AM

Dr. Kodituwakku or Mr Kodituwakku? As far as we know he got only a masters degree.

Regginald Stephen Wimalasiri Friday, 20 September 2019 05:11 AM

I would believe the Ambassadors version than the President, who has been blaming everyone else other than himself. The President tried to get political mileage out of this and failed miserably.

Douglas Siriwardena Friday, 20 September 2019 06:01 AM

This demonstrates the lack of proper scrutiny by the TRC - did they check the background of ALIT, what other projects had been done and the conditions of the contract between TRC and ALIT (Notice of withdrawal must be given etc)? I think that there is a better scrutiny when the child is admitted to the village school (Birth certificate, residence proof, immunisation etc).

DillonDP Friday, 20 September 2019 06:03 AM

Well I went to this so called tower which was declared open but it still remains closed

Anura Friday, 20 September 2019 07:11 AM

You are an absolute disgrace to be ambessodor !! You seems more a good practioJoker. !!

Raja Senanayake Retd CCS Friday, 20 September 2019 07:20 AM

We certaily neeed more information to ascertain the facts and whether our authorities followed up on the changes that took place regarding the parties involved in the project. Can they fold their hands after awarding a project without following and monitoring it.

Ralahamy Friday, 20 September 2019 07:23 AM

OK. So the company was involved in the project from the beginning. Next question is, was any money paid in advance as preparatory expenses? If so, what has happened to the money?

S A Udugama Friday, 20 September 2019 12:12 PM

Can't you see that there is no issue in this false statement and better put it to rest. The got has other work to do

Anaathey Friday, 20 September 2019 02:29 PM

There is no free lunch!

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SL Ambassador to China clarifies on Lotus Tower Project

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