The main opposition United National Party (UNP) said today the government was mortgaging valuable state property to China on the one side while creating hype about pseudo patriotism.

“The government is privatising state institutions while preaching the policy of non-privatisation. The government is also making it a habit of handing over construction work on various mega projects to Chinese owned companies,” UNP parliamentarian and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told a news conference.

He said Chinese companies including the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) that built Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport was now controlling interests in nerve centres such as the Colombo Port Southern Terminal, and seven main roads in the country.  

Mr. Attanayake accused the government of making arrangements to privatise the People’s Bank by selling 49 per cent of its shareholding at the stock market.

He said he would not be surprised if a Chinese company purchased these shares. (News and Video by Lahiru Pothmulla)
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