We will revisit agreement to lease Hambantota port to China : President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

COLOMBO (News 1st) Minister of Ports and Shipping, Johnston Fernando and several other ruling party MPs were questioned by journalists about the future steps to be taken on the Hambantota Port. Johnston Fernando, Minister of Ports and Shipping noted that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is determined in further discussions regarding the future of the Hambantota port. Minister assured that the President would take the right decision regarding this matter. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, State Minister of Water Supply also shared that the President believes it is mandatory to reclaim the Magampura Hambantota port which is a national treasure. He went on to note that the government is enthusiastic to renegotiate the agreements. Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister for Development Banks and Loans noted that they were clearly of the view that any national resource should not be sold to a foreign nation. He added that not only the Hambantota agreement but other agreements such as the Singapore agreement will also be reviewed as well. Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa himself shared his opinion regarding the much-disputed leasing of the Hambantota port with the Hindustan Times during his Indian visit. Journalist: "Hambantota port, I know that you told my colleague that you were contemplating a re-examination of the 99-year lease that your previous government agreed with China. Could you elaborate a little on that? Is that at all possible?" President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated that he believes it is possible and their party was against this leasing agreement from the word-go. He added that the Hambantota port is a crucial asset to the nation and it is not a trivial asset like a hotel or a plot of land which you can lease easily. He went on to note that it's not about now and it's about the future generations to come. He added that future generations will come to curse them if they do not rectify this matter with discussions. The previous government constantly criticized the Hambantota Magampura Port which was built during the Rajapaksa regime as a white elephant. Thereafter the Yahapalanaya Government said that they would work with China in a joint venture to develop the Port and reached an agreement with China establishing Hambantota International Port Group Private Limited on a 99-year lease. 85 per cent of shares of that company is owned by China Merchants Port Holdings.