PM reiterates Navy will control security at Hambantota port

Monday, 2 July 2018 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prime Minister Ranil Wickrem-esinghe reiterated that Sri Lanka Navy will control security at the Hambantota Port and that there are no reasons to fear otherwise.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office said it would like to make the following clarifications with regard to a news item that appeared in print media regarding the Prime Minister’s speech made at the Dr. Saman Kelegama memorial conference held on Friday (29 June) in Colombo.

At this conference, the Prime Minister stated that he negotiated with Prime Minister Li and President Xi of China and came up with a proposal which was beneficial for both parties. Sri Lanka also informed the Chinese that Hambantota cannot be used for military purposes.

The Sri Lanka Navy is moving its Southern Command to Hambantota. There is no need to be frightened as security of the port will be under the control of Sri Lanka Navy.

Once an American had asked him, “What would you do if the Chinese troops land in Hambantota”. The Prime Minister had responded saying that there is a full army division stationed at Hambantota. He never mentioned that we will not be resisting any invasion. Further, no Navy in the region has the capacity to land an army division in Sri Lanka.

“As far as Hambantota port is concerned, it will only be a commercial port, which will trigger off much-needed economic development of backward districts of Hambantota and Monaragala very soon,” the PM’s Office added.