Land bridge with India to bring mutual benefits: Sagala

1 May 2024 05:54 pm - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, May 1 (Daily Mirror)- Chief of Staff of the President, Sagala Ratnayake said the proposed land bridge with India will benefit both countries.

Making his remarks at the UNP May Day rally, he said it is economical for India to use the Sri Lankan ports to unload India-bound containers and then transport them by road to their destinations.

“It will reduce their costs. More than that, Sri Lanka will benefit in the whole economic process,” he said.

He said the country will benefit even further in terms of power grid and pipeline connectivities.

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Comments - 28

Rolph de Jong Wednesday, 01 May 2024 06:13 PM

Another load of pre election rubbish.

Get Priorities The Right Thursday, 02 May 2024 07:01 PM

Actually it’s a good idea when Sri Lanka is declared Bankrupt Free which may be in 100years time! For now, replace and upgrade the CBT buses and Trains with Electric run or hybrid. Buses should be modern low flat floor board where elderly and wheelchair passengers can switch from the Bus stand to the buses with ease. These morons need to Get the priorities right and not all over the shop.

All talk, won't happen in lifetime of Sagala Wednesday, 01 May 2024 06:19 PM

The old men like Sagala talk rubbish about things that won't even happen in their lifetime.

Gabriella Wednesday, 01 May 2024 06:25 PM

Yes we will have electric trucks and Santa Claus won’t have to swim his reindeer to get here.

Dr Michael Fernando Wednesday, 01 May 2024 06:41 PM

Is this really necessary ??? Merely saying the Sri Lanka will benefit in the whole economic process is highly illusory !! The connection of India with the NE of Sri Lanka could become a dangerous proposition for the smaller nation, Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans should NEVER, EVER FORGET the part played by India in the LTTE war. CAUTION, CAUTION AND CAUTION SHOULD BE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY !!!

Yuvraj Gupta Wednesday, 01 May 2024 07:08 PM

Don't worry Dr Michael, We will make sure we have a significant presence in every economic sphere and activity in Sri Lanka. We have 130 Indian CEOs in Sri Lanka. For the start, all IT activities will be controlled by us so that IT work from west will be given to us and you guys however talented will be employed by us. The West has confidence in our abilities and governance. You guys are fighting on ethnic,political, caste differences etc but we have created an Indian identity to all by first respecting the individual states language culture, social fabric. This has made every citizen a proud Indian first and then only comes their individual identity such as Gujarati, Telegu, Goan etc.

Susa Wednesday, 01 May 2024 09:01 PM

Exactly, no-sooner India will become 3rd largest economy in the world. They are following the footstep of the China but with the support of western allies. Sri Lankan entrepreneurs will highly benefit if this becomes reality as it is open doors to huge market but it is highly doubtful to happen.

CJ Thursday, 02 May 2024 07:58 AM

there is only one factor that is holding India together right now. But people won't live for ever...then we shall see how you cope with the turmoil !!!

wsw Friday, 03 May 2024 06:23 AM

Your comments smack with arrogance and a void in substance, not surprised anyway. This Indian pride and identity you gloat about, good for you, means a tuppence to us Sri Lankans. As per your head count of those Indian CEOs and talk of dominance in Sri Lanka, remember your eternal nemesis the mighty Chinese? They will pale in into insignificance your paltry Indian presence in our country with the blessings of its citizens. Word of advice, perhaps you may want to tone down your rhetoric, if you harbour ambitions to maintain good relationships with your neighbors.

Sri Lankan settled abroad Wednesday, 01 May 2024 07:28 PM

@Dr Michael Fernando - It’s people like you who do not understand, trade, tourism, transport and live like frogs in a well. The LTTE was created by chauvinistic Sinhala politicians. There was no LTTE when independence was unnecessarily given in a plate of gold. Not a single Sri Lankan died when independence was given . More than a million of Indians died in their independence war. Please grow up. Travel abroad and learn for yourself about the existence of rest of the world.

Mandayan Wednesday, 01 May 2024 07:31 PM

We heard the same old song when Hambantota and Mathala projects initiated. Slowly and steadily the country that seen a war for 30 long years for non sharing an inch, is going to be divided between global powers. This was why uneducated fools on both side rejected Ranil and bent on for war that seen the climax in 2009.

Rajaratnam Wednesday, 01 May 2024 08:33 PM

Dr Michael - Why did you give India the opportunity to intervene in the North and East. If you solved the problems of the Tamils on lines similar to good democratic countries, there would have been no war and outsiders would not intervene.

wsw Friday, 03 May 2024 02:01 PM

Intervening in Sri Lanka's internal matters was a plan to muster more votes for the Congress-Ghandhi clan from the Tamil heartland. The outcome and consequences of his bullying tactics was sweet and well served.

mario Wednesday, 01 May 2024 08:58 PM

1000s of trucks per day to india means more polluted cities in sri lanka do u want to make more polluted cities like delhi. stupid idea.

Transportation Connections Brings Improvements Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:59 AM

By the time the bridge is up, most vehicles will be electric run. Look at China’s Belt And Road initiative, countries and states which were not connected previously has tremendously benefited with improve standard of living with this new connection. People must Have an open mind for the country to move forward as India’s market is tremendously big.

RP Wednesday, 01 May 2024 09:07 PM

Please maintain the Status Quo at any cost. We do have ferry and Air transport and those are sufficient connections. Sorry Sagala to contradict/disagree. I'm not concerned about the threat of joining the two Tamil dominated areas. Rather, wanted to maintain our Pristine country with less polluted environment. We are a tiny island and immensely happy to be that way we are!

Dr Michael Fernando Wednesday, 01 May 2024 09:36 PM

Just as I said. Sri Lankans, you can clearly see the typical Indian mentality. Danger lies ahead because of political stupidity !! CAUTION AND MORE CAUTION YET AGAIN. !!

Ratnayaka Wednesday, 01 May 2024 11:09 PM

Portuguese were invited by 3 sons to flight their father Wijayabahu so that they can divide the kingdom into three and rule but at the end lost all. Sons of Rajapakse did the same to fought VP and his clan and this time not Portuguese but Chinese, Indians and the Americans. History is repeating and God please save my country!

Hon. Sarneris Thursday, 02 May 2024 06:12 AM

What a fool. It will Only make out beloved Lanka a part of the tyranny happening on the other side of the pond.

Vive James Thursday, 02 May 2024 09:48 AM

Then change the name to Silly Lanka

Shera Thursday, 02 May 2024 10:00 AM

This is a very good idea if Sri Lanka can maintain sovereignty. Canada and US have a bridge but Sri Lanka and India don't function like western countries who maintain integrity in an agreement. Also, who will be "gifting" this bridge? How much of the funding will go to Lankan politicians? How long will the bridge take to be built? Who will own the bridge and hold rights to access after construction is completed? Relevant questions based on the history of other projects in SL.

jude Thursday, 02 May 2024 01:32 PM

Ranil is going to make Sri Lanka an Indian state with the land bridge. Now they will takeover the control of entire lanka instead of Katchatheevu. Its sad people have forgotton who Ranil wanted to give away North and East to LTTE with the shady deal he did with Erik Solheim

kamal Thursday, 02 May 2024 01:43 PM

You want to create a land bridge? Why not learn from the visa fiasco happening now under an Indian company before doing something drastic?

Dr Michael Fernando Thursday, 02 May 2024 05:49 PM

Re comments above. I can understand trade and tourism - but you do not need a bridge with the NE for that !! Sri Lanka should NEVER be divided on ethnicity - Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and others should learn to live amicably. Today's news item "How did Indian company take over visa issuance at BIA without cabinet approval " - SAYS IT ALL. So CAUTION YET AGAIN.

George Thursday, 02 May 2024 07:38 PM

India is a large country and they have many seaports in the west, east and the south. They dont need to rely on Sri Lanka sea ports to deliver their goods. Sri Lanka is better off without a bridge to connect India. Let Sri Lanka stand alone as an independent country. If you connect Sri Lanka with India, the BJP may include in their next election manifest to annex Sri Lanka with their Ramayana story

wsw Friday, 03 May 2024 12:17 PM

Thanks but no thanks to this land bridge nonsense with India, we don't want our country diluted or to be associated with the universally maligned Indian image. We may be poor right now, our politicians corrupt but Sri Lanka is a proud independent nation with it's own identity. If I remember, Ranil fervently pushed for the same land bridge with India a long time ago as well. No bridge pls, full stop.

Jyoti tulsani Friday, 03 May 2024 12:58 PM

Bit really I think the only beneficiary here will be india taking more food put than before ever thought sri lanka grows everything manufactures everything but still soooooooo poor so where does the stuff go audit..oh audit ppl also with someone who never want to see sl rise

sach Saturday, 04 May 2024 06:16 PM

Bridge between India and SL will bring NO economic opportunities but trouble after trouble for Sri Lanka.

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Land bridge with India to bring mutual benefits: Sagala

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