Govt. decides to develop West Terminal with an investor

2 February 2021 12:00 am

• This decision was made by the Government as India had not agreed to the conditions laid down by the Sri Lankan Government

 

BY YOHAN PERERA

The Government has decided to retain the ownership of Eastern Terminal of Colombo Port and to develop the Western Terminal together with an investor, Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardene said yesterday.

 

Minister Abeygunawardene said this decision was made by the Government as India had not agreed to the conditions laid down by the Sri Lankan Government. “The previous Government signed an agreement with India and Sri Lanka to develop and run the Eastern Terminal. It was also arranged to borrow funds from Japan. However President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was of the opinion that Sri Lanka should not borrow but should develop the terminal together with an investor. Subsequently the Cabinet nod was given to appoint a negotiation committee.