Handing over of Colombo East terminal to the Adanis creates a political storm in Sri Lanka

The handing over of the Colombo East Terminal to the Adani group by the Rajapakshe government has led to furore in the island nation with the Colombo Port trade unions opposing the handing over of the terminal to a foreign company.

Responding to the attack from the trade unions the Sri lankan Government's Chief whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said that trade unions and civil society organisations now accusing the government of trying to sell off the Eastern Container Terminal of the Colombo Port to India were silent when the Hambantota port was sold by the former government to a Chinese company, according to Sri lanka media reports.

There would be no selling of the ECT of the Colombo Port to India

Speaking to media Minister Fernando said that there would be no selling of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port to India as alleged by some opposition parties and their supporters.

“We will not sell the port.  The Group led by the Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa messed up the port sector by signing agreements.  Their good governance has destroyed this country.  As a government we are cleaning up the mess they created.  The President has decided what is best for the people of the country.  Every project is implemented in the best way possible for the people and the country.  This is the reality.

It will be good if port’s shares are floated in our country’s stock market.

Protesters were also active during my tenure as the Minister in charge of Ports.  That is nothing new.  However, when the Hambantota port was sold by Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa’s group, the vociferous trade unions were silent. If such a battle had been waged then when the Hambantota port was sold that vital state asset could have been saved.  It will be good if port's shares are floated in our country’s stock market.  There is nothing wrong with that.  That’s a very good thing. The President has promised not to sell this port.”