Confusion reigns as ECT deal sinks and UNHRC pressure rises

By Our Political Editor
The Government this week walked back on its move to hand over the Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ETC) to India and Japan, drawing strong protests from both New Delhi and Tokyo.

The decision by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday came after growing protests by trade unions and influential sections of the Buddhist clergy. Prominent government leaders lent support. At the helm was Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa who declared publicly that “we will not give ECT to anyone. We will keep it under our control.” By his own admission in an interview with the Daily Mirror, our sister paper, he declared he had maintained a low profile in the recent months. The ECT issue, however, propelled him to take a tough position and display a show of strength. 

That he made those remarks amidst reports that the Cabinet was set to formally decide on the award to India and Japan last Monday made it the talking point among political and diplomatic circles in Colombo. This is particularly in the light of a statement by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at his “dialogue with the village programme” in Yattapatha, Walalawita in the Kalutara district on January 23. According to a statement from the President’s Media Division, he said, “The former government had a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian government regarding the East Container Terminal (ECT). When there is an agreement between two countries, it cannot be cancelled arbitrarily.”

He, however, emphasised, the news release said, that in “the process of entering into agreements with other countries, we will never give our resources in a manner that affects our sovereignty.” President Rajapaksa declared he had told this to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the details of the ECT where the source of income would be from transhipment of cargo. He had similarly explained to the United States the stance of his government even in respect of the proposed MCC project. [Read more]