News
FSP calls on govt. allies not to pretend to oppose adverse deal with US firm
By Anuradha Hiripitiyage
Due to the secret agreement signed with US firm New Fortress Energy, Sri Lanka would soon face a situation akin to the one already faced by Ukraine, the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) predicted yesterday.
“Sri Lanka is trying to reduce its dependency on coal and switch over to LNG. With this in mind, several coal and diesel power plants are to be converted into LNG in the coming decade. Now, we will entirely depend on the US to provide us with LNG to power these plants. Given that the US intends to control the seas in which Sri Lanka is placed strategically, they will not let us off the hook once they establish their foothold here. We are in deep trouble,” FSP Propaganda Secretary, Duminda Nagamuwa said.
Nagamuwa said that some constituents of the government were pretending that they opposed the transfer of government’s shares in the Yugadanavi Power Plant to New Fortress Energy. “But this is not the time for theatrics but for concrete action”, he said.
Nagamuwa said that the agreement between the government and US Company New Fortress Energy to construct a new offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving, storage and regasification terminal at Kerawalapitiya as well as the transfer of government’s shares in the Yugadanavi Power Plant had to be scrapped.
“Even government ministers agree that the agreement was not discussed with them. Several affiliates of the government are trying to convince the people that they are fighting this decision from inside. However, past experience has shown that when push comes to shove they will stay with the government. They must show the leaders of the government that they are not puppets,” he said.
Nagamuwa said that if those affiliated to the government were serious in their opposition to undermining Sri Lanka’s energy security they should show their commitment by doing something concrete.
The Yugadanavi Power Station at Kerawalapitiya already produced 300 MWs of energy and there was a plan to build another 350 MW plant there. The US Company had now been allowed to build an offshore LNG receiving, storage, and regasification terminal and to provide LNG to the existing Power Station and the new 350 MW power plant to be built, he said.
“Now we are under the power of the US. We will soon be facing the plight of Ukraine,” he said.
The UNP yesterday (06) voiced concern over, what it described as, the continued silence of the Sri Lankan government regarding the sinking of an Iranian vessel by a US submarine within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
In a statement, the UNP questioned whether the government had been informed, in advance, by the United States of the military action carried out within Sri Lanka’s EEZ, particularly within the framework of the Colombo Security Conclave.
The party warned that such developments had effectively turned Sri Lanka’s EEZ into a war zone, posing potential risks to commercial maritime activity.
Full text of the UNP statement: The United National Party is concerned over the continued silence of the Sri Lankan government regarding the sinking of an Iranian vessel by a US submarine in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The government must disclose to the Sri Lankan public whether they were informed by America prior to the military action that was carried out in the country’s EEZ, and within the ambit of the Colombo Security Conclave.
These actions have resulted in our EEZ being turned into a warzone which will have a detrimental impact on our commercial interests. Shipping costs and insurance are expected to increase, impacting the country’s economy, including the cost of living.
The government of Sri Lanka must seek assurance from the United of States of America that further military action will not be conducted in the vicinity of the country. The government must also discuss the potential economic impact with the relevant shipping companies and insurance authorities.
Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Aruna Jayasekara yesterday (06) told Parliament that the next few weeks could prove decisive for Sri Lanka in view of the war situation in the Middle East.Addressing the House, Jayasekara said there was a possibility of delays in the provision of certain essential services in the coming weeks.
He said restrictions had been imposed on shipping and air travel owing to the ongoing conflict, which could affect the timely delivery of services and supplies expected by the country.
The Deputy Minister said the government had therefore taken steps to further extend the State of Emergency to ensure the uninterrupted maintenance of essential services.
“Due to the prevailing war situation, restrictions have been imposed on shipping, air travel and several other activities. As a result, some of the essential services we expected may face delays in the future. The coming weeks will be decisive, and we must pay special attention to maintaining these essential services. Accordingly, we have taken steps to continue the state of emergency,” he said.
The administration of the University of Peradeniya has urged students, academic staff, and non-academic staff to remain highly vigilant as leopards have begun frequenting the university premises.The areas surrounding the Veterinary Teaching Farm and the Staff Development Centre,
located in the Hanthana region, belonging to the university, have been identified as zones where leopards are frequently spotted.
The administration has further requested everyone to exercise extreme caution during activities in these areas and to immediately notify the University Security Division and the Health Sector if any emergency situation arises.
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