Colombo, Nov 12 (UNI) Indian investments in some strategic locations in Sri Lanka could pose a serious national security threat, says a leader of a leftist party that is said to enjoy close ties with China.
The Island newspaper on Saturday quoted Frontline Socialist Party's (FSP) Pubudu Jayagoda as saying that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had initiated a number of economic policy and legal amendments to facilitate Indian investments in strategic areas.
He said Wickremesinghe had urged the Tamil political parties to join him in finding a solution to the problems faced by Tamil people.
"No one opposes this in principle, but this is nothing but an eyewash. He is trying to pacify the people of the North, who are not at all happy with certain Indian projects to be carried out in the North,” the FSP leader said.
Soon after Wickremesinghe became President, he presented a strategic plan on the Trincomalee district, he was quoted as saying. According to the plan, a number of strategic locations in the district will be handed over to Indian companies.
“The government has agreed to allow India to explore oil in the Mannar Basin and this poses a serious security threat to the country," he said.
“Adani Group has gained a foothold in the Colombo Port. Initially, he wanted a stake in the East Terminal, but that was thwarted. Now, he has the West Terminal, and the plan is to attract the large ships that come to Colombo to the West Terminal."
UNI MR