Charitha urges constitutional experts to analyse Indo-SL bridge agreement

Wednesday, 30 August 2023 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Questions if bridge can be constructed as constitution has delineated SL’s boundaries
Accuses President of attempting to ‘Indianise’ country
Slams Govt. and President for failing to inform Parliament of recent agreements signed with India

Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) member and Parliamentarian Prof. Charitha Herath addressing a press conference yesterday cautioned that Sri Lanka might follow a path similar to Ukraine due to the potential outcomes of the country's misguided foreign policies and inadequacies in handling diplomatic relations.

“The Government and President are gearing up to implement measures that could result in a form of Indianisation of Sri Lanka, a course of action that contradicts the essence of maintaining national sovereignty,” he said.

The MP expressed his gratitude to the Archbishop of Colombo for recently raising issues surrounding the proposed Indo-Sri Lanka bridge. He stressed the project should not go ahead.

“Being an island nation, our constitution explicitly addresses this aspect, encompassing references to our territory. The constitutional document delineates the geographical boundaries, encompassing both land and water,” he said. The MP called on constitutional experts to direct their focus to the issue.

“They must intervene. Is it within the President and Government's authority to make decisions based solely on their personal preferences? This is a matter of great significance, directly concerning the nation and its future,” he said.

He slammed the President for failing to inform the Parliament of the various agreements signed by him during his recent visit to India. “Though India is a historical friend, the management of diplomatic relations with the country by the current Government and the President are proving problematic,” he noted.