Is HambantotaPort sale done bypassing Port Minister and informing President?

Addressing a news conference yesterday, Joint Opposition  MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage questioned, whether President Maithripala Sirisena and Port Minister Arjuna Ranatuga  was informed of the agreement signed to sell 80 percent of shares of the Hambantota Port to a Chinese firm?

 When the issue was raised, the government said, it was the Prime Minister and Minister Malik Samarawickrama, who took the decision . If it is true, then what is the point of having a Ports and Shipping Minister?  He had only been briefed once everything was finalised,”  we understand .

Meanwhile, he said a shady deal of US$ 100 mn had taken place in Hong Kong in line with handing over the Southern Port to China.

“We request the President to probe into this corrupt deal,” he emphasized