India has called on the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to abide by the existing understandings and commitment made with regard to the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port.
A spokesman to the Indian High Commission in Colombo told NewsWire that it would like to reiterate the expectation of the Government of India for expeditious implementation of the trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed in May 2019 among the Governments of India, Japan and Sri Lanka for the development of ECT with participation from these three countries.
The spokesman said the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka in this regard has been conveyed several times in the recent past, including at the leadership level.
The Sri Lanka cabinet also took a decision three months ago to implement the project with foreign investors.
He added that all sides should continue to abide by the existing understandings and commitment.
The statement comes in response to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s announcement today that the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port will be operated 100% by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
Following talks with trade unions today, the Prime Minister said the report submitted by the committee appointed to study the agreement had revealed that the foreign company which had agreed to invest in the development had refused to accept the terms and conditions provided in this regard.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa further said as a result the Terminal will be 100% operated by the Ports Authority and the cabinet paper in this regard will be submitted to the cabinet of Ministers today. (NewsWire)