Hide and Seek Game in Hambantota Port Agreement?
Rejecting reports that there was a delay in signing agreements with the China Merchant Port Holdings over Hambantota Port, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama said, yesterday that they hoped to finalized and sign agreements in January 2017. He said, the Government has not announced that it would enter into agreement with the Chinese Company to hand over 80% of the joint venture of the port on January 7th. There are three agreements to be signed to finalize the deal. The Cabinet approval was given only for the frame work. We have yet to sign the joint venture agreement with the company, the lease agreement with ports Authority and then the concession agreement between the company and the Government. There is a lengthy process and discussions to be done. We need to make sure that we get the full benefit out of these agreements. There was no truth in reports that the agreements have been postponed due to the objection of President Maithreepala Sirisena. But the President has instructed them to come into an agreement which has full benefit of the Country. In the meantime, PM Ranil Wickramasinghe said yesterday, that the copies of agreement concerning Hambantota port and the Industrial zone will be presented to Parliament shortly. He further said, Minister Malik Samarawickrama will present copies of all agreements on Hambantota after making a statement in the house shortly. No private lands will be taken over for Hambantota industrial zones, only government lands will be allocated to them to set up industries that would create employment opportunities, He announced this in a news conference jointly held with Finance Minister at the Finance Ministry.
On the other hand, President Maithreepala said yesterday, that the government had not reached an agreement over the Hambantota Harbour and industrial zone. President further said, the government would not reach an agreement which would harmful for the countries’ heritage, dignity, and national security or in violation of the constitution, with any country or institution.
