UNP hails Cabinet’s fresh move on CATIC

Monday, 1 August 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday welcomed the recent decision by the Cabinet to review the sale of 10 acres land at Galle Face to China National Aero Technology Import Export Corporation (CATIC).

“We are happy to note the new developments with regard to the Galle Face land sale to CATIC where the President has ordered the sale to be halted and the terms and conditions reviewed. It is now clear that we were right from the beginning and take pleasure in performing our duties as a responsible opposition in national interest,” UNP MP and Chief Economic Affairs Spokesman Dr. Harsha de Silva said.

“As we had articulated both inside and out of Parliament, the deal to sell the 10 best acres of land in Colombo to CATIC was not done according to the book. It was non-transparent and violated multiple procedural responsibilities.

We wish to reiterate that the sale cannot go through in any case since the purchaser has already violated the terms of conditions of sale, thus making the sale and purchase agreement invalid,” Dr. de Silva alleged in a statement.

Though welcoming the Cabinet’s latest move, Dr. de Silva renewed his challenge to an open debate to Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena who he alleged “is still continuing to mislead the public by spreading misinformation on this sordid deal.”

“It is quite obvious that he is running scared,” claimed the UNP MP.