News
National Joint Committee decries sale of Yugadanavi
View(s):The National Joint Committee (NJC) said it is disturbed, distressed and dismayed by the purported agreement signed between the United States-based New Fortress Energy (NFE) and the Government.
In a statement issued by NJC co-presidents, Lt Col Anil Amarasekera (Rtd) and Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General K.M.B Kotakadeniya, the NJC strongly objected to the Government’s move to sell 40 pecent of shares of the Yugadanavi power plant to the NFE.
“This agreement could cause damage to national and public interest, economy, sovereignty, security, social well-being and progress of the country. The NJC is privy to information that this deal also has grossly violated all good governance principles, and risked the country’s energy security.
“The deal was not subject to public scrutiny. The Cabinet of Ministers has not been given adequate time to discuss the implications of the proposed conditionality. The transparent tender procedures have been grossly violated, through accordance of gas supply, terminal construction/operation as well as building the pipeline to a company which has not even participated at the respective tenders where such were called,” the statement said.
The NJC said the purported sale of shares to a foreign company was not on any transparent calling of bids, or after a proper valuation of its assets or its future earning capacity.
“This, we are of the opinion, violates the fundamental rights of the citizens.”
The NJC expressed concern over the deal that could possibly give 100 percent monopoly of LNG supply to a single foreign company, thereby going against principles of fair trading.
“Sri Lankan people’s future economic welfare is at stake, if this deal is to go through. We urge political authorities, professionals as well as the general public, to stand up against this abuse of procedures, plunder of institutions and pawning of the future of our nation,” the statement said.
The NJC said it is relieved to note that several parties, including the Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera, Colombo’s Archbishiop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, and 12 erudite engineers in the power and energy sector, have petitioned to the Supreme Court against this agreement.