China ‘concerned’ over allegations of corruption in Hambantota Port deal  

China has expressed its concern on allegations of ‘mega deals’ made in the Hambantota Port joint venture. The allegation was made by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) at a recent media conference held in Colombo.
On Wednesday morning, Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Yi Xiangliang met President Maithripala Sirisena and expressed his country’s concern on statements made by JHU, the government’s coalition partner claiming that certain ministers connected to this deal had visited China to get their commissions for fixing US$.1.2 billion mega deal.
The Chinese Ambassador has created awareness on the actual transaction and connected matters during his meeting with the President who is going to take a decisive decision on the Hambantota Port transaction, informed sources said.
China Merchants Holdings (International) Company Ltd secured this deal recently. This is the same shipping company that expanded and is now running Colombo’s South Container Terminal.
COPE Chairman and JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti on Tuesday urged the President not to go ahead with the signing of the lease agreement to hand over of the Hambantota Port to Chinese Company.
In a letter to the President he requested him to table the agreement in Parliament enabling the public to know its details. (Bandula)