The opposition says the present government must reveal its stance pertaining to the agreement Sri Lanka has reached with the Lanka Indian Oil Company which is due to expire at the end of the year.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo today, Parliamentarian Kabir Hashim said the government should reveal whether it will retake the filling stations that are operated by Lanka IOC limited at present.
Meanwhile, MP Hashim said the Minister of Energy had claimed that India is investing USD 500 million in the Trincomalee Oil Tank farm.
MP Hashim said despite such claims, India is only granting a loan and in return the government is handing over oil tanks in Trincomalee.
He said the Trincomalee Oil Tank farm is a national asset adding it plays an important part in the country’s fuel security and national security.
MP Kabir Hashim also noted that the present administration received a mandate from the people only after it claimed that the oil tanks and the filling stations operated by India will be taken back and the agreements will be cancelled.
MP Hashim said therefore the government should reveal its stance to the public.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella says the present administration which took 80 percent of current loans should take measures and pay back.
MP Kiriella said the loans were used in projects that did not help the government generate profits. He said projects such as the Hambantota Harbour, the Airport and Lotus Tower have become a burden on the country.
MP Kiriella noted that since the government is struggling to pay back the loans, it is planning to sell national assets.
He said preparations have been made to sell further 15 to 20 acres of prime land in Colombo. The Parliamentarian noted that the government is also planning to sell the Bogambara stadium in Kandy.
He said a seven acre plot of land, which the previous government prepared to construct, cinemas, open air theatres and many other facilities will be sold in the near future.
He said the project was due to receive funding from Japan, although the present government is planning to sell the plot of land.
MP Lakshman Kiriella said those in the government promised to safeguard national assets but are now on a selling spree.