News
JVP too smells a rat in selecting India’s Adani Group to run Colombo Port East Terminal
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP says that there are reasons to suspect that the proposed deal to handover the operations of Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal to India’s Adani group is a corrupt one. It intends to complain to the Criminal Investigations Department seeking an investigation.
Addressing the media at party headquarters on Tuesday, JVP leader Anura Kumara Disssanayake said that India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd and its owner Gautam Adani were notorious for questionable business practices the world over
“The local agent to secure the deal between the Adani group and Sri Lanka Ports Authority is Sajad Mawzoon, a director and local shareholder of Colombo Shangri-La. We exposed his deals with the government, during a parliament debate. Mawazoon helped the SLPP and its Viyath Maga to hold their meetings in the run-up to the elections. Mawzoon’s Pyramid Wilmar is the company that profited from the government’s decision to change import levies on sugar. The government on June 26 imposed a 50-rupee import levy on Sugar imports and later on Oct 13 reduced it to 25 cents. This resulted in at least a loss of Rs. 10 billion to the state coffers. The same company imports coconut oil. On June 26, import duty on a litre of imported coconut oil was fixed at Rs 150. On July 10, it was reduced by Rs. 25 and again on Dec 14 it was hiked to the previous rate after allowing the company in question to import 7,000 metric tonnes of coconut oil and make a huge profit of Rs. rupees from each kilo. The government helped earn it Rs. 125 million in profit by manipulating import duties. It is this same company involved in the shady ECT deal.”
Dissnayake said that by increasing and lowering sugar import duties the government helped Mawzoon’s Pyramid Wilmar to earn a profit of Rs 10 billion. “This is the same government that expects a loan from the World Bank Rs 10 billion to import COVID-19 vaccine!
President Anura Kumara Disanayake has appointed Acting Ministers for four ministries before his departure on an official state visit to Vietnam.
The appointments cover three ministries under the President’s purview — the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, which comes under the purview of Minister Vijitha Herath, who is accompanying the President on this official visit.
Accordingly, the following Acting Ministers have been appointed:
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Digital Economy.
Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Defence.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, has been appointed as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
[PMD]
Gen. Nakatani, Minister of Defense of Japan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees today [May 4].
The discussion took place in the spirit of long-standing bilateral friendship and focused on strengthening cooperation between Japan and Sri Lanka, particularly in the areas of defense and regional security. Minister Nakatani extended his congratulations to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government of Japan and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to collaborative efforts in ensuring peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
He also emphasized Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in maritime security and regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support through development partnerships, especially via the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). She reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, economic reform, and national transformation.
The Prime Minister also shared the government’s vision for evolving the role of Sri Lanka’s security forces to include responsibilities such as climate response, humanitarian assistance, and maritime protection. The meeting further explored opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism, with both parties agreeing to deepen engagement across five key sectors.
The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and senior officials from both governments participated in the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed for Vietnam.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of the President of Vietnam from May 4 to 6, 2025.
During the visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with both the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. He will also meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and other senior officials.
On May 6, the President will attend the official opening ceremony of the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City as the Chief guest and will also deliver the keynote address.
In addition, the visit is expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements and engagement with the Vietnamese business community to further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, is accompanying the President on this important visit.
[PMD]
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