Prez confirms Adani Group’s role in ECT

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (13) told ports sector trade unions that the government would retain 51 per cent shares of the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port, and India’s Adani Group and other investors would hold the balance 49 per cent.

A statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat quoted the President as having said that the ECT development had been undertaken after taking into consideration regional factors, the country’s sovereignty, revenue, employment, etc.

The statement quoted the President as having assured that ECT wouldn’t be sold or leased. Instead, it would be developed with the government being the major shareholder.

Trade union sources told The Island that discussions held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had ended unsuccessfully.

 The discussion was held yesterday between the two sides at the Presidential Secretariat, Colombo. Twelve representatives from the unions took part in the meeting with the President.

 Earlier this week 23 trade unions representing the Ports Authority, the National Organisations collective and a number of civil organizations joined the formation of a new national movement named the ‘Movement to protect the East Container Terminal’.