While claiming that Sri Lanka failed to convert the Kerawalapitiya based Yugadanavi power plant to an LNG plant for 10 years, Sri Lanka Podujama Peramuma (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam stated that a decision regarding the development of the plant came after lengthy discussions. "In countries such as Singapore and Malaysia, the General public or religious leaders do not oppose or take to the streets when rural areas are developed. If we are to attract investors into the country, it is essential that they are provided with the required power,” he said at a press conference yesterday (27). When further inquired by a journalist whether it was true that the Yugadanavi deal was passed at midnight and the investors had left the country right after the deal was signed, Kariyawasam once again stated that the Yugadanavi deal discussions were lengthy and went on through the night, clarifing that no one can deny knowing about the deal. "Certain matters needed clarifications from the Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and I believe they (investors) received satisfactory results and did not have any further questions. The details of this meeting was later discussed at a party leaders meeting, to which the party leaders cannot say that they were not aware of this anymore." mentioned Kariyawasam.