Deal on ECT based on Sirisena’s talks with Modi and Abe – Govt.

DEW warns foreign investments in ports and airports jeopardise national security

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has opposed the proposed Indian investment at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port, but he himself agreed to Indian and Japanese investment during discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 11, 2018 in New Delhi, and with the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on March 14, 2018, according to highly placed government sources.

President Sirisena met PM Modi on the sidelines of the First Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). From New Delhi, President Sirisena flew to Japan on the invitation of Prime Minister Abe. President Sirisena returned to Colombo on March 17.

At the time of the tripartite agreement involving Sri Lanka, India and Japan, the SLFP was a partner of the UNP-led yahapalana administration. President Sirisena came to an understanding with two allies of the US against the backdrop of humiliating defeat at the local government polls on 10 February 2018.

Current SLPP MP Sirisena, who is the SLFP leader, recently has told the media his party is totally opposed to Indian investment at the ECT.

Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP, on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) threw his weight behind the project and the UNP remained silent.

Sources pointed out that the tripartite Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) dated May 28, 2019 specifically referred to the geo-political importance for Quad members Japan and India whose intention was to secure 49 per cent of the ECT.

The US-led defence organisation, Quad, also includes Australia, where the US maintains a permanent military presence. Japan is also a base for US forces while US-India defence cooperation is at its zenith now.

A section of the international media referred to Quad as an Asian NATO to counter the growing Chinese threat.

The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government on Oct 6, 2015 entered into a ‘comprehensive partnership’ that enabled a greater Japanese role in Sri Lanka.

Although the former President claims that he has always opposed the foreign investment at the ECT, the MoC reveals the absence of specific time period for the operation of the tripartite agreement. According to a copy of the agreement seen by , the proposed Terminal Operations Company (TOC) would provide the required equipment and systems and manage the ‘ECT for long periods.’

On behalf of Sri Lanka, India and Japan, Ports and Shipping Minister Sagala Ratnayake, High Commissioner Taranjith Singh Sandhu and Ambassador Akira Sugiyama signed the MoC.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recently explained the difficulty in reversing the tripartite agreement Sri Lanka entered into during the previous administration.

Former Minister and General Secretary of the Communist Party Dew Gunasekera yesterday told The Island that the India-Japan move on the ECT should be examined against the backdrop of China securing a terminal on a 35-year lease in the Colombo harbour during the previous Rajapaksa administration (2010-2015) and the strategic Hambantota Port in 2017 from yahapalana regime on a 99-year-lease.

The CP veteran said that he had explained at a public meeting held in Matara on Thursday (28) why foreign investment shouldn’t be allowed at the ECT. He stressed that foreign powers should never be given control of ports and airports under any circumstances.

The former minister also made reference to the ACSA (Access and Cross Servicing Agreement) finalised in early August 2017 by Sri Lanka and the US. It paved the way for access for the US military to all Sri Lankan facilities, he added, urging the government to re-consider its policy in respect of foreign investments.

The former Minister said that the investigation into S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike assassination had revealed that the crime had been committed over an alleged bid made by the assassin Ven. Thalduwe Somarama to form a company to manage the Colombo Port under his leadership. The former CP leader said that the country was at a crossroads and the current leadership had the responsibility for ensuring a safer path. Sri Lanka couldn’t afford to take sides in the ongoing battle between the Western powers and China.

Responding to another query, the former minister pointed out that in addition to ACSA, the US sought agreement on MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact) and SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) in line with its overall geo-political strategy. India was now a powerful US ally therefore Sri Lanka should be cautious in its approach, he said.