brand logo

Sunny Side Up: Questions over camo-clad Chinese, Controversy halts Chinese Joint Venture

26 Jun 2021

The controversial Chinese joint venture (JV) project at the Tissamaharama Wewa was halted on Friday (25) following a directive of the Archaeology Department.  The Department said that any form of excavation required permission from it and the respective JV had not sought approval before being launched.  The project was in the centre of controversy last week when a group of Chinese nationals dressed in camouflage-type uniforms engaged in a Chinese JV project to dredge the Tissamaharama Wewa.  The presence of these foreign nationals in military-style uniforms at the launch of the Chinese JV to dredge and clean one of Sri Lanka’s most ancient irrigation tanks last Monday (21), raised serious concerns, as the attire seemed quite similar to that worn by soldiers in China’s People’s Liberation Army.  However, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka had tweeted about the incident saying: “These working outfits are notably different from uniforms of the Sri Lankan military, to whom China shows the highest respect.”  Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, when questioned about the alleged presence of what appears to be personnel attached to a military unit of the Chinese, had said he did not have any knowledge about the matter.  “This project is being handled by the Honourable Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Irrigation. I really do not know about the entirety of those persons pictured. I have not studied up on that,” he had told The Morning, passing the buck to the Irrigation Minister.  Rajapaksa, however, was not available for comment.  According to Chapter VII of the Penal Code of Sri Lanka (Offences relating to the Army, Navy, and Air Force), “whoever, not being a soldier, sailor, or airman in the military, naval, or air service of the republic wears any garb, or carries any token resembling any garb or token used by such a soldier, sailor, or airman, with the intention that it may be believed that he is such a soldier, sailor, or airman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to Rs. 100, or with both”.  Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Ajith Rohana told The Morning that investigations would proceed according to the information that has already been received.  “It is an offence for anyone who is not in the military to wear or be in the possession of a military uniform in Sri Lanka, and if someone is committing the said offence, they could be charged under the Penal Code and the Army Act.  “According to the information we have received, these Chinese nationals were clad in camouflage clothing akin to military wear,” Rohana stated.  The most recent offence was reported on 8 May 2019, when the Police arrested two youths from Seeduwa for transporting clothing similar to the Air Force uniform.  Meanwhile, main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Thushara Indunil and Manusha Nanyakkara raised the issue in Parliament last week.  They questioned the Government on the presence of Chinese nationals dressed in camouflage outfits similar to military gear at the Tissamaharama project site. However, the Government refrained from responding to the questions posed by the Opposition MPs.  


More News..