Port trade unions launch work to rule; expecting GoSL response on ECT soon
Port trade unions launch work to rule; expecting GoSL response on ECT soon
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Colombo (News 1st); Port Trade Unions said they expect a response from the government with regard to the trade union proposal submitted to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port.
President of the Port Branch of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya Prasanna Kalutharage, said if they don’t receive a response as expected, the work to rule trade union action will be intensified starting from Monday.
The East Container Terminal will be given to investors from India and Japan; a statement from State Minister Nimal Lanza
The East Container Terminal will be given to investors from India and Japan; a statement from State Minister Nimal Lanza
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Colombo (News 1st): Religious leaders, trade unions, civil and political organizations are continuing their demands against the sale of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port.
They point out that this terminal which is 18m deep can be used to dock some of the biggest ships in the world.
85% of the Colombo South Terminal is owned by a Chinese owned company while the majority stake of the SAGT located adjacent to the ECT is owned by private companies.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured representatives of Port Trade Unions that the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port will not be sold or leased.
The previous administration had agreed to sell the East Terminal to India. The agreement envisaged obtaining a loan from Japan after sale and purchasing construction equipment with the loan money, he said.
The President noted that after the present Government negotiated with India on the contract it was possible to reach an agreement to retain 51% of the ownership and the control of the Terminal under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
He emphasized that he would not allow causing any harm to the sovereignty or independence of the country when investments are arranged.
Posted on January 13th, 2021
By P. K. Balachandran/newsin.asia
Colombo, January 13: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday assured representatives of Port Trade Unions that the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) in the Colombo Port will not be sold or leased out.
The President, who met representatives of the port unions, made it clear that the plan is to develop the ECT as an investment project that has 51% ownership by the Government of Sri Lanka and the remaining 49% as an investment by India’s Adani Group and other stakeholders.
Explaining the participation of India, the President said that India contributes 66% of the ECT’s re-export operations. 9% of re-exports is accounted for by Bangladesh and the rest by several other countries.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured representatives of Port Trade Unions that the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port will not be sold or leased. The previous administration had agreed to sell the East Terminal to India. The agreement envisaged obtaining a loan from Japan after sale and