Government must expose the Chinese-Sri Lanka agreement on mega project in Hambantota – Chameera
- Dec 21, 2016
Leaders of civil rights organizations rushed to the CSR auditorium and criticized the government’s plan to give 15,000 acres of land to China for investment purposes.
“Government must expose the China-Sri Lanka agreement on mega project in Hambantota,” said Chameera Perera, co-convener of Left Circle.
Addressing the press conference held at CSR on Dec. 20, Perera said that government must aware the agreement to the citizens before they signing.
“Government sources reported that they are going sign that agreement on January 7th 2017.”
He added, “Government do not have a right to sign such agreement without aware the citizens according to the January 8th agreement with the nation.”
Co-convener of Left Centre revealed such agreement signed by Rajapakse regime.
“Mahainda Rajapaksa government sighed such agreement with China such as Colombo Port City Project without aware the citizens of the country. It made many problems to the country,” he said.
“There are no lands for farmers in the country. But the government going to give 15,000 acres of land to China,” said Chamara Nakandala, convener of Parapuraka Balaya.
He added, “This kind of deal not was in January 8th promises which given to the nation.”
“Government is not serious about future of farmers. But they give lands to multi- national companies,” said Francis Rajan, convener of Praja Abhilasha.
Meanwhile, former President Mahainda Rajapakse also criticized the government decision on handover 15,000 acres of land to China and said that he was against giving out such a large extent of land.
Talking to Lanka News Web, Herman Kumara, director of National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) said that there is no clear function what the government plan is, because this is not a transparent process.
“This is just like Mahinda Rajapakse did. Because government is trying to hide everything from the people, from the civil organizations and they are going to do what they want.”
He added, “So, this is clearly non-transparent and unethical process. This is not a democratic process. So if the government handover 15,000 acres of land to China or other country that’s going to be a disaster of the country, of the people, people who are living in the land. So, we say this is an unethical because you are government which proposes promise good governance not necessary a dictatorial government Mahinda did. So, we say as civil organizations, this is not a way you should perform. You should totally for opposite and say what you are going to the people and what you are going to do with lands.”
Lawrence Ferdinando - Colombo.
