JVP sounds buoyant after halting ECT deal with India

Stopping the East Container Terminal deal with Adani Group of India had given a boost to public confidence that they could save national assets by agitating against government moves to sell them, the JVP said.

Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte on Friday JVP politburo member and former MP Sunil Handunnetti said: “Saving the ECT is a victory for the people and trade unions. It has given a boost to public confidence that if they unite they can save the national assets for posterity from the opportunistic governments. This victory is also an inspiration for the next round of struggles to save the Kankesanthurai harbour, the Palali Airport, the Mattala Airport, the West Container Terminal of the Colombo Port, farmlands and forests. These assets belong to the next generation and it is our duty to see that they inherit them without allowing governments to sell them off.

“The discussion over the WCT surfaced after the government was forced to withdraw the ECT deal. Ten allied parties of the government say it is their victory to save the ECT.  Some sections trying to justify the selling of WCT point out that it is mentioned in the Vistas of Prosperity manifesto and people have given their consent by voting for it. If the government acted solely on the basis of what it promised then how come the questionable ECT deal came in the form of a Cabinet paper? It is not mentioned in the manifesto that the ECT would be sold. Now, the ministers of the government tell us that 85 percent of controlling stake of the WCT would be given to India. There is no such thing mentioned in their manifesto. That manifesto promises to develop the WCT with the participation of private investment. The term private investment does not mean India or Japan.”