Ports and airports can't be given away : D.E.W. Gunasekara

COLOMBO (News 1st): Members of the National Movement to Protect the East Container Terminal met with the members of the Maha Sangha headed by the Mahanayake Theros. Trade Union Representatives who visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya presented their proposals on protecting the East Container Terminal to the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero. The trade union activists then met with the Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero and presented the proposals to protect the East Container terminal. 3 representatives were allowed to meet with the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thero. The group also met with the Deputy Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect Ven. Naarampanaawe Ananda Thero, and presented the proposals to the Ven. Thero. "We expressed our views to the Prime Minister. These are the adverse effects of wrong foreign policies of all governments that came into power after 1978," Deputy Registrar of Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thero said. "We want these advisers to speak the whole truth. If this goes to the Cabinet on Monday, this will be a big issue," speaking to the Maha Sangha General Secretary of the movement Shyamal Sumanarathne said. Representatives of Trade Unions then met with The Chief Incumbent of the Gatambe Rajopwanarama Viharaya Ven. Keppitipola Siriwimala Thero. "We consider Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a man with a strong backbone. But when we see what is happening, it tarnishes his good name," Chief Incumbent of the Gatambe Rajopwanarama Viharaya Ven. Keppitipola Siriwimala Thero said. Members of the National Movement to Protect the East Container Terminal visited the Ranawana Raja Maha Viharaya this evening and met with the Anu Nayake of the Malwathu Chapter Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladharma Thero. Anunayake of Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Sect Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thero said "Immediate action should be taken against this. Personally, I too am against the sale or lease of national assets." Meanwhile, in India leaders of 16 Opposition parties released a joint statement stating that they would boycott the President's address to Parliament tomorrow, ahead of the Budget session's commencement. The leaders reaffirmed their collective demand for the three Indian farm laws' repeal as stood in solidarity with the protesting farmers. Tens of thousands of them have been striking on the outskirts of Delhi since November, charging that the laws threaten decades-old concessions and subsidies they receive, thwart their bargaining power and expose them to the vagaries of the market and big corporate companies such as the Adani Group. Speaking about the ongoing protests in India, Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka D.E.W. Gunasekara said Indian farmers are rallying against Ambani and Adani entities out of which one is attempting to gain control of the East Container Terminal in Sri Lanka. "If they are planning to give away the terminal to a country that has withdrawn from the Non-Aligned Movement and has joined hands with an imperialist country, I wish to express my objection towards that not due to economic problems but because of geopolitical problems," D.E.W. Gunasekara added. He said that no one would raise objections if a rubber factory is built in the country and its entirety is sold off to India, adding that investing in a port is a different matter. "Based on the global situation, they can invest in another entity if there is a requirement. We cannot give away our ports and airports," D.E.W. Gunasekara further said. The Sinhala Jana Balawegaya also staged a protest in Kalutara opposing the transfer of shares in the East Container Terminal to a foreign company. "We strongly oppose any attempt made by parties who come to power intending to plunder the country's national resources by making false promises to the general public," National Organizer of the Sinhala Jana Balawegaya Chanaka Bandara said.