Parliament to Debate Hambantota Port

In response to wide spread criticism  that there was an attempt to hide information relating to the Hambantota Port deal, the Government was willing to facilitate a debate on the deal in Parliament. A senior Cabinet Minister said, the Government had no need to hide any document and Every document would be presented to the Cabinet as well as to Parliament before the signing of the agreement. Nothing would be done behind the curtains. Further, he denied press reports that the Hambantota Port Concessionary Agreement had not been referred to the Parliamentary Oversight Committee.

In the meantime, a Cabinet subcommittee has been appointed to provide a “road map” for the successful  implementation of the Hambantota Port Development Project.

The subcommittee will also monitor how the Chinese company adheres to the provisions of the Concession Agreement and ensure that all stakeholders are involved in the process.

Special Projects Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugam chairs the committee while ministers Susil Premajayantha, Arjuna Ranatunga, Malik Samarawickrema and Ravi Karunanayake function as members.