FSP raises alarm over Indian investments in strategic locations
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Indian investments in some strategic locations in Sri Lanka could pose a serious national security threat, Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Pubudu Jayagoda says.Jayagoda added that President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who does not have a mandate to be the President, had initiated a number of economic policy and legal amendments to facilitate Indian investments in strategic areas.
“Speaking in Parliament on Thursday Wickremesinghe 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,” he said.
Jayagoda said the government was planning to carry out a number of renewable energy generation projects in the North. Soon after Wickremesinghe became President, he presented a strategic plan on the Trincomalee District. According to the plan, a number of strategic locations in the district will be handed over to Indian companies.”
The FSP Education Secretary also alleged that there were plans to change the district borders of Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa. Some Tamil majority areas would be made a part of Polonnaruwa and vice versa, he said.
“This is an attempt to change the ethnic composition of the Trincomalee District. The SLPP and Wickremesinghe associates are telling the Sinhalese of Trincomalee that the Sinhalese will be the majority in the Trincomalee District. This is a plot to dampen opposition to Indian projects in the district among the Sinhalese,” he said.
Jayagoda said District Secretariats of Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa were working on data gathering to change district borders. However, a change of this magnitude could only be made with the approval of the Parliament, he said.
“This was raised by TNA Leader, R. Sampanthan, and MP M. A. Sumanthiran made a statement in Parliament in October. Everyone who knows what is happening is deeply worried. Unfortunately, this has not received adequate attention by the media,” Jagoda said.
“The government has agreed to allow India to explore oil in the Mannar Basin and this poses a serious security threat to the country. Several Sri Lankan laws prevent such an Indian intervention and Wickremesinghe has asked relevant officers to change the laws, 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. India controls bunkering at Trincomalee. Soon, they will have a firm foothold in Mannar as well. This is a serious national security issue,” he said.The FSP Education Secretary said India had also won a number of renewable energy projects in the North and the people were unhappy about them.
