News

Cabinet decision on ECT irreversible, SLPA can take over SAGT-Wimal

Published

5 years ago

2021/02/3

By Shamindra Ferdinando

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, yesterday (2) said that the party that controlled the East Container Terminal (ECT) would be in a position to take over the neighbouring South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) in a couple of years in terms of an agreement between the government and Sri Lanka’s first public-private container terminal.

The SAGT operation was launched in 1999 during President Kumaratunga’s tenure at the height of the war.

The Board of Investment flagship SAGT consists of approximately 60% Sri Lankan shareholding, and is backed by John Keells Holdings, APM Terminals, Peony Investments (subsidiary of Evergreen Marine Corporation) and the SLPA.

The SLPA owns 15 % shares of the SAGT. In the China- managed Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT), too, the SLPA owned 15% shares whereas the Chinese held 85%.

Minister Weerawansa told a hastily arranged press conference at his party office at Pitakotte Sri Lanka shouldn’t under any circumstances allowed external investment in the ECT. The minister explained that the deep water ECT was the strategically most important terminal in the Colombo harbour. Therefore, it should be in Sri Lanka’s hands.

At the onset of the briefing Weerawansa explained how Sri Lanka could immensely benefit when the SAGT was brought under SLPA control. There couldn’t be any issue at all in the wake of the cabinet unanimously deciding on Monday (1) to retain the ECT, MP Weerawansa said, pointing out that the country would receive a mega boost when the SLPA commenced managing both terminals.

Weerawansa and State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera profusely thanked those in the SLPP, in parliament and outside who helped thwart the move to go ahead with an agreement finalised in late May 2019 involving Sri Lanka, India and Japan. The minister appreciated the role played by the Maha Sangha in the campaign against the move.

The agreement based on an understanding the then President Maithripala Sirisena reached with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in New Delhi and Tokyo in March, 2018.

The NFF emphasised that the Cabinet decision was line with Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s manifesto for the presidential election.

The NFF leader said that they always opposed the move to bring in external investment at the ECT. However, in terms of the presidential election manifesto, external investments could be utilized in the setting up of West Container Terminal (WCT) which is something only on paper at the moment.

Among those lawmakers who had publicly opposed Indian investment at the ECT in addition to Weerawansa and Samaraweera are Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Gevindu Cumaratunga, Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Asanka Navaratne, Weerasumana Weerasinha, Udaya Gammanpila and Ven. Atureliye Rathana.

Minister Weerawansa said that unlike those who had backed the UNP remained silent when the administration took decisions inimical to the country. The minister targeted the civil society and the JVP for being silent when the UNP handed over Hambantota harbour on a 99-year lease to China in 2017.

Asked to comment on India’s declaration that New Delhi expected Sri Lanka to implement tripartite 2019 agreement endorsed by the cabinet three months ago, Minister Weerawansa strongly defended the government decision. The minister said that the cabinet decision on ECT wouldn’t be reversed. According to him, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to be mindful of Sri Lanka’s concerns than Indian statements.

Minister Weerawansa said that the NFF didn’t oppose Indian or other foreign investment in the WCT. The NFF leader said that India and Japan could take advantage of Sri Lanka’s offer based on what the Minister called CICT model. Responding to another query, MP Weerawansa said that India could take 85% of the proposed WCT.

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Sun directly overhead Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon today (05th April)

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (05th) are Dodanduwa, Rathgama, Yakkalamulla, Akuressa, Mulgirigala, Ranna, Kalamatiya and Ussangoda at about 12:13 noon

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/5

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 April 2026, valid for 05 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Global ‘Walk for Peace’ to be held in Lanka

Published

19 hours ago

2026/04/5

Thilina Walpola

The internationally recognized “Walk for Peace,” originating from the United States, is set to take place in Sri Lanka starting April 21, 2026, led by the Most Venerable Paññakara Thero and a delegation of twelve monks from the Maha Sangha, President’s Media Division said.

Spanning seven days across the island, this pilgrimage’s purpose and concept are guided by the Buddha’s teaching, “Caratha bhikkhave carikam bahujana hitaya bahujana sukhaya lokanukampaya” (Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare and happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world).

This program aims to promote peace and lovingkindness within society. It serves as a practical demonstration that peace cannot be attained by force, but must be cultivated step-by-step through mindfulness.

The inaugural event of this program is scheduled to be held in Anuradhapura on April 21, 2026. A ceremony to receive the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will take place at 4:00 PM, followed by special religious observances at the sacred Ruwanweliseya premises at 5:00 PM.

Thereafter, the walk will commence from the ancient Dambulla Royal Cave Temple and proceed towards Kandy. Upon reaching Kandy, the Maha Sangha will pay their respects to the Chief Prelates (Maha Nayaka Theros) of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters, before visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) to receive blessings.

Throughout the journey, the procession will carry the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, along with venerated relics from the historic Nilagiri Cetiya, Madanwala Raja Maha Viharaya in Hanguranketa, Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya, and the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya.

The walk will conclude at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Subsequently, the venerated relics and the sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi are to be carried from Independence Square to Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo by a procession.

The Sri Lankan coordination of the event is spearheaded by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakirti Thera. The Government of Sri Lanka’s flagship national program, “Clean Sri Lanka,” serves as the principal state partner.

Additionally, the event receives extensive support from various state institutions, including the National Design Centre, the Tri-Forces, and the Department of Information.

At the conclusion of the seven-day walk, a special State Ceremony will be held at Independence Square in Colombo on April 28, 2026. Concurrently, a special exhibition showcasing Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and traditional handicrafts will be organized by the National Design Centre at the Gangaramaya premises on April 28 and 29, 2026.

This exhibition will feature brass items (ceremonial fans, flags, statues, bowls, and pinnacles), lacquerwork (caskets and boxes), clay crafts (bowls and statues), palm leaf crafts (fans and sesath), natural dyeing of robes, Dumbara wall hangings, traditional drums, and traditional paintings.

The primary objective of this cultural program is to contribute Sri Lanka’s Buddhist and cultural heritage to a project in Texas, USA, where the Tripitaka is being inscribed in 10 languages and enshrined within 840 stupas to create a centre for Buddhist education.