Indo Lanka joint energy programme should not be sabotaged: Former President

By Yohan Perera  

The proposed Indo Lanka joint energy programme should not be sabotaged but should be implemented, Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.   

Making a statement, Wickremesinghe said coming up with various allegations at this time when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’ is expected to visit Sri Lanka is not healthy. He was referring to remarks made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on corruption with regard to power purchase prices “One has to mention as to who has given monetary rewards to whom,” he said.   

“The former government approved a number of renewable energy projects in 2023/2024.Sri Lanka was ensured of The foreign investment worth dollars 2.5 billion in the power and energy sector during that time. 

The Finance Ministry appointed a committee to look into project proposals of Adani and Hayleys The final decisions were made by a Cabinet appointed committee. The two projects were different to each other. An environment assessment study had to be done to determine how the projects in Mannar would affect the migrant birds. Hayleys conducted it while the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) also conducted a study. The Adani group had to pay for it.The CEB handed over a plot of land to Hayleys for the project while The Adani group had to purchase the land. 

All matters were handled by competent state officers who are honest. It is not good to make allegations against them saying they have accepted monetary rewards. One has to mention as to who had rewarded them. One cannot make vague allegations.