Iran granted Uma Oya project due to huge recognition for MR: Hakeem

• Says we have become virtual slaves to the US

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera   

Claiming that the Uma Oya multipurpose development project was granted to Sri Lanka by the Iranian government because of high recognition for former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Parliamentarian Rauf Hakeem said yesterday the current government is looking to score. 

He told parliament that the Iranian President came to Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Foreign Minister.  

“The Uma Oya project was initiated during former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government. He had huge recognition by the Iranian government those days. That is why the project was granted to Sri Lanka. You are trying to score now,” he said.  

The MP said State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya was bragging recently during a debate in Parliament about the achievement of the President claiming that Sri Lanka got the Iranian President to visit here and Sri Lanka was able to send naval forces to the Red Sea.  

“The state minister of foreign affairs was bragging about the achievement of the President two days ago during a parliamentary debate. He was saying Sri Lanka has balanced Israelis and Palestinians. We got the Iranian president to come here and we also sent our naval force to the Red Sea. What a shame! You claimed the other day that this is one of the biggest achievements in our foreign policy. What is your President doing? He is rocking the cradle and pinching the baby. We have become virtual slaves to the US,” he said. 

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said he regrets the attitude of MP Hakeem and that Hakeem was extremely jealous of the foreign policy that Sri Lanka has taken and links that all the countries have with the President.