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

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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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Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

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A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.

The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.

The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.

Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.

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Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

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Dr. de Silva

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.

“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”

Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.

“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”

Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.

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SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

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From left : Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Australian HC in Colombo Paul Stephens, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Chief Hydrographer of SLNHS and Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.

The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.

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