JVP breathes fire over Hambantota port deal

The JVP said today that it is time for President Maithripala Sirisena to prove he is not a puppet dancing to the tune of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Speaking soon after parliamentary sessions came to an abrupt end this afternoon after heated arguments over the essential services gazette issued by the President covering workers in the petroleum sector, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake people are watching the President over his reaction to the signing of the agreement that would transfer the running of the Hambantota port to a Chinese company.

He said that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation had suspended their strike after President Sirisena assured them that the agreement would be reconsidered.

“This agreement is illegal. It has not been given cabinet approval properly. It was not discussed in parliament. The President is yet to give his approval. On top of all these, there is a case being heard in the Supreme Court against the agreement. While these four issues are there, the Prime Minister says he would go ahead and sign it,” the JVP MP alleged.