President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has rejected a request for a discussion on the agreement signed with a US firm pertaining to the Yugadanavi power plant in Kerawalapitiya, Ada Derana reported.
The request had been made by eleven (11) allied parties of the Government.
Both the opposition and certain allied parties of the Government had expressed displeasure over the decision to sell 40% of the Yugadanavi power plant to New Fortress Energy Ltd. of the USA.
In September, eleven allied parties of the Government had made a written request from the President for a discussion on the deal.
The request had been made by the Democratic Left Front, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, National Freedom Front, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Our People’s Power Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, National Congress, National People’s Party, Sri Lanka Communist Party, and the Sri Lanka People’s Party.
In a letter addressed to the President, the political parties said the agreement must be taken up for discussion once again and it should be finalized after following the tender process for development projects.
They also pointed out that it was detrimental for Sri Lanka to provide close to a majority of controlling power of energy to another country.
However, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is reported to have informed his decision via a letter addressed to the political parties.
In his response, he had stated that it was suitable for the matter to be discussed during a Cabinet or ruling party leader’s meeting.
The President has further instructed the Secretary to the Finance Ministry and Ceylon Electricity Board officials to inform the necessary people in this regard. (NewsWire)