20 September 2019 10:45 pm
The Aerospace Long-march International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT), one of the two Chinese companies involved in the Lotus Tower Project, today issued a clarification on the Lotus Tower project allegations.
“We noticed the recent media reports about Aerospace Long-march International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT)'s participation in the Lotus Tower project. We hereby make clarifications as follows:
ALIT and CEIEC formed a consortium in Aug. 2010 in order to pursue the Lotus Tower project. The contract was signed in Jan. 2012. In Aug. 2015, ALIT entrusted CEIEC to act solely on its behalf to fulfil the contract. Those are normal business operations and comply with international business practice.
According to the contract, TRCSL paid USD 15,644,980 as advance payment to CEIEC's account in China Export-Import Bank of China on Oct. 9, 2012. This sum had been used for the project purpose solely.
The inauguration of the Lotus Tower project is not only a remarkable milestone of the project but also a significant symbol of friendly cooperation between China and Sri Lanka. As a state-owned, responsible company, ALIT is operating in more than 40 countries around the world and has won high acclaims from our customers.
ALIT cherishes the friendly relations between China and Sri Lanka, and will continue to participate in the economic construction and development drive of Sri Lanka to help promote "the China-Sri Lanka All-round Cooperation Partnership of Sincere Mutual Support and Ever-lasting Friendship".” the statement said.