By Sumudu Chamara
[caption id="attachment_112699" align="alignright" width="300"]
SLPA Chairman Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake[/caption]
The Sri Lankan Government will retain 51% ownership of Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ECT), regardless of the number of external parties coming forward to invest in the ECT, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) stressed.
SLPA Chairman Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake told The Morning that all external investors, irrespective of the number, will only be allocated 49% of shares in the ECT, ensuring that the Sri Lankan Government will always be in charge of management and operations.
Gen. Ratnayake, agreeing with a statement made earlier by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa that the Government has not decided to hand over the management or ownership of the ECT to a foreign country, noted that the Government has not entered into any agreement with any foreign entity, and that only discussions are underway.
Meanwhile, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva, speaking about the ECT at a press briefing yesterday (7), alleged that the incumbent Government plans to sell the ECT to foreign companies despite opposition raised by the public.
He added that in a context where the SLPA has been declared an essential service, selling it to India is a questionable move and that the Government must not sell resources that will help Sri Lanka generate a considerable income.
Responding to allegations against the Government’s stance on ECT’s ownership and management, Gen. Ratnayake added that the Government is planning to take the best decision for the benefit of the country, the Colombo Port, and port employees.
SLPA Chairman Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake[/caption]
The Sri Lankan Government will retain 51% ownership of Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ECT), regardless of the number of external parties coming forward to invest in the ECT, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) stressed.
SLPA Chairman Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake told The Morning that all external investors, irrespective of the number, will only be allocated 49% of shares in the ECT, ensuring that the Sri Lankan Government will always be in charge of management and operations.
Gen. Ratnayake, agreeing with a statement made earlier by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa that the Government has not decided to hand over the management or ownership of the ECT to a foreign country, noted that the Government has not entered into any agreement with any foreign entity, and that only discussions are underway.
Meanwhile, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva, speaking about the ECT at a press briefing yesterday (7), alleged that the incumbent Government plans to sell the ECT to foreign companies despite opposition raised by the public.
He added that in a context where the SLPA has been declared an essential service, selling it to India is a questionable move and that the Government must not sell resources that will help Sri Lanka generate a considerable income.
Responding to allegations against the Government’s stance on ECT’s ownership and management, Gen. Ratnayake added that the Government is planning to take the best decision for the benefit of the country, the Colombo Port, and port employees.