The JVP says a public referendum must be held in order to approve the proposed Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo today, Leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said several clauses that challenge the country’s sovereignty have been included in the proposed bill.
Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out that the Board of Investment is an independent body that could oversee such investment projects.
Therefore, the JVP leader questioned why the government could not go through the BOI and needed to appoint a separate commission for Port City Activities and tax concessions.
He questioned why it would not be included as a part of the Local Authorities framework, and why salaries would be paid in foreign currency, why duties would be taxes would be levied when moving purchases out of the region and why would investors be given tax exemptions.
Therefore, the JVP leader accused the Chinese of trying to invade trade in Sri Lanka through long-term plans.
He stressed that the Port City Commission Bill must not be passed in parliament without seeking public opinion through a referendum.
MP Dissanayake explained that to be a patriot simply does not mean one will kiss the land he was born in.
Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out that Sri Lanka has become a beggar’s nation which has to plead for loans from foreign nations as the country has been blacklisted on the international markets.
Therefore, MP Dissanayake claimed China is brokering a deal to disburse loans, only if Sri Lanka gives the Port City to them, and also provides three islands in the North to build power plants.
He also claimed India followed the same strategy to invade local resources within the port. The JVP leader said Sri Lanka had no option but to agree to terms and plead for loans from China.