Zoom rally against sale of Colombo Port’s ECT

Monday, 11 January 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Harbour trade unionists, other trade unionists, farmers, political activists and academics participated in a Zoom rally on 9 January opposing the attempt to lease the East Container Terminal of the Colombo harbour to Adani Group which is an extension of privatisation of people’s assets and resources.

They demanded that the terminal be handed over to be administered by the working people of the harbour who can develop and control the terminal profitably. The Colombo Declaration was adopted unanimously asserting solidarity till the final struggle. The rally was organised by Wame Hada and the Marx School.

They issued the following Colombo Declaration on Defending the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Harbour:

The attempt to lease the East Container Terminal to Adani Group is economically disastrous. It is also opposed by the people vehemently.

People from all vocations of life are rallying behind the call to defeat this attempt.

The working people of the harbour, have the knowledge, capacity and experience required to develop and manage the ECT. We advise the Government to be prepared to surrender the responsibility of administration to them.

Leasing the ECT is an extension of privatising public resources and assets belonging to Sri Lankans. We oppose it entirely. All of us joining in solidarity with the struggle to defend the East Container Terminal under the Colombo Declaration declare our commitment to remain steadfast till the final battle to triumph with the ECT as a worker-run terminal and a national asset.