Eran says Port City Bill compromises country’s independence

Friday, 21 May 2021 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says SJB not against Port City but against Economic Comm. Bill
Alleges those who sold patriotism to win elections are now selling country’s freedom
Claims Bill violates Constitution
Says responsibility of Parliament to formulate policies in line with national aspirations
Wants more safeguards for Lankans in Bill

MP Eran Wickramaratne

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne yesterday hit out at the Government during the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, saying the legislation compromises on the country’s independence and freedom.

“This Government came to power selling patriotism as its main election rallying cry, but today they are acting in violation of the Constitution,” Wickramaratne said.

He said as a country that was under Portuguese, Dutch, English, and European rule for over 500 years, Sri Lankans value its independence. “We live as a free and sovereign nation today and enjoy our rights because of the freedom we enjoy but what is this Government doing after selling patriotism and gaining power? You are going to destroy that supreme freedom,” he said. He said the 26 clauses in the Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution, but the Government will go ahead and enact the Bill.

He said the SJB is not against the Port City, but that it is against the CPC Economic Commission Bill.

“This is a historic and decisive Bill. That is why we must consider the purpose of this Bill and the issues. We have to consider political, social, economic, and foreign relations. It is the responsibility of Parliament to formulate policy in line with national aspirations,” he said.

He said the objectives behind setting up the Port City Economic Commission is to provide a one-stop-shop approval for investors, attract investors for the Special Economic Zone and create economic benefits and employment for the country through it.

“There is a problem setting such objectives where there are questions as to who owns this land,” Wickramaratne said.

He added that the President has the sole discretion in appointing members to the Economic Commission and this too is problematic.

He said the SJB proposed amending the composition of the Commission to make it a nine-member body with six ex-officio members including the Governor of the Central Bank, Finance Ministry Secretary etc. and three others appointed by the President, and to introduce more safeguards for Sri Lankans.

He said Sri Lanka’s position in the Indian Ocean made it strategically important and a non-aligned foreign policy is the only protection for a small country like ours.

“Investors from neighbouring India as well as any other country in the world should have the opportunity to reap the benefits of this port city. Our largest export market is the US. Next are Europe and the Middle East. India is also a big market. We have to protect these markets,” he said.