Colombo (News 1st); Opposition Lawmaker Kabir Hashim speaking in Parliament said the cabinet proposal to establish a state-run Expressway Investment Company to own and self-finance expressways, solely owned by the Treasury Secretary is an attempt to privatize Sri Lanka’s road network.

The SJB Parliamentarian said despite such a proposal being made, at present talks are underway to issue 49% of the said Expressway Investment Company to a private company in Singapore, to commence the privatization process.

Kabir Hashim quoted Cabinet Spokesperson (Minister) Keheliya Rambukwella as saying the revenue can be generated by utilizing State land on a 30-year lease to generate most of the required funds.

He said the lands owned by the Maradana Railway Station, lands surrounding the Beira Lake, the Manning Market, and the land owned by the Urban Development Authority are to be leased for a period of 30-years by the Government.

Kabir Hashim further said, when the expressway is removed from Minister Johnston Fernando’s purview, he will only be left with the task of building anicuts in the country.

Further, he said government decisions are made by President’s Secretary P. B. Jayasundara and members of the Viyath Maga Movement.

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