Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
FT
Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
Thursday, 14 March 2024 05:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
NPP Executive Council member Sunil Handunnetti
National People’s Party (NPP) Executive Council member Sunil Handunnetti on Tuesday accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Government of seeking to sell off the country’s assets within the upcoming months, anticipating their inability to regain power.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) headquarters in Pelawatta, Handunnetti emphasised that neither the parliament, the courts, nor the people of Sri Lanka have granted President Wickremesinghe the authority to sell the country’s assets.
«He is a President without a mandate. If, just five to six months before a Presidential election, he is now attempting to sell off or make decisions regarding the country’s power, aviation, and other resources, the people must resist such actions,» he said.
The NPP member also emphasised that investors should be aware that they are making these purchases from a Government that lacks a mandate. «The next Government to be elected will have the people›s mandate. The people will completely entrust power to such a Government to make decisions regarding the assets purchased by you. Therefore, be mindful of this fact when making bids as well,» he cautioned.
He said that a future NPP Government would scrutinise these deals and thus discouraged investors from proceeding with agreements to purchase Sri Lanka’s assets from the current Government. «All agreements to sell the country›s assets must be halted. The Government lacks the mandate to sell them,» he affirmed.
Using SriLankan Airlines as an illustration, Handunnetti alleged that Minister of Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva intends to sell the national carrier and is therefore instilling a sense of distrust among the public and eroding its reputation.
«It›s an endeavour to sell the airline at a bargain. There›s also a plea for the treasury to shoulder the airline›s debt. The corrupt Airbus dealings and extravagant pet transportation on flights by the Rajapaksas aren›t burdens or penalties that must be shouldered by the people. Nimal Siripala is attempting to burden the treasury with this debt and sell off the airline for a substantial commission,» he accused.
Handunnetti also maintained that the Government, along with Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara, is pursuing a similar strategy to divest the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).
«They have initiated the tender process to privatise the CEB. The Government is attempting to dismantle trade unions and diminish employee rights in order to sell a profitable CEB,» he alleged.
According to Handunnetti, other state assets at the risk of sale include Sri Lanka Telecom and LITRO Gas. He also criticised the proposed Wind Power Project in Mannar, citing its environmental sensitivity. Additionally, he highlighted the Government›s obligation to purchase power from the private investor until 2044 at a rate of USD 0.97 per unit.
