Harsha challenges Yapa on CATIC deal

UNP MP and its Chief Economic Affairs Spokesman Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday alleged that Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena was lying on the CATIC deal and threw a challenge for a public debate.

In a statement Dr. de Silva said the State owned ‘National News Agency of Sri Lanka’ Lankapuvath in a 20 July 2011 datelined news item under the heading “Lakshman Yapa refutes Harsha’s allegations” reports that the Acting Minister of Mass Media and Information and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena as saying that Parliament approval had been obtained for the now infamous CATIC project.

“As widely reported in the press over the last few days he is quoted as having said that the deal was carried out with transparency and according to the laws of the country and not violated any rules or regulations of the country. He also said the Ministry obtained Cabinet approval and Parliament approval for the project. After estimating the land, the 10 acres land was sold to AVIC Company for US$ 136.5 million.

“I am regretfully compelled to call Yapa Abeywardhena an absolute liar as it is completely untrue that he or any other Minister has obtained Parliamentary approval for the sale of 10 acres of land to either China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) or Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) as stated by ‘the national news agency’ that comes under his own Ministry.

“The only discussion in Parliament on this matter has been due to the questions raised by myself and Ravi Karunanayake and at no time has the Government sought any approval for the sale of land to CATIC or AVIC. As far as the public is concerned this deal was completely non-transparent and moreover has been conducted via an agreement that had no validity given the terms and conditions of sale were violated by the entity that has supposedly purchased the land, be it four, seven or 10 acres as mentioned by various people in Government at various times.

“I challenge Yapa Abeywardhena to a televised public debate at any time on this matter at which I will show the public of this country who is telling the truth about this sordid land deal,” Dr. de Silva said.