Colombo, April 3 (Daily Mirror) – United National Party (UNP) Chairman former Minister Wajira Abeywardena requested the government to press ahead with bilateral agreements signed between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka’s then President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

If the present Sri Lankan government acts to safeguard them, the UNP will extend its fullest support, he said.

He made these remarks during a meeting with party candidates contesting the local authorities’ election in the North.

“We are in the process of conducting meetings along with UNP candidates contesting the local authorities’ election in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.  We are having the third such meeting for the candidates in the Jaffna district today.

“As candidates, you should understand the vision of the party and that of the party leader.  This is an opportunity for me to educate you about it.

“The eighth Executive President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, made a statement to the media yesterday. He stressed the importance of moving ahead with the bilateral agreements signed under his leadership with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He even asked not to scrap them without any basis.

“We approved a lot of proposals related to the development of renewable energy at that time. We did it to meet the energy requirements of the country. Our government gave approval for projects valued at USD 2 or 2.5 billion.

“At that time, the Finance Ministry appointed a committee to work into projects to be implemented by the Adani Company and Hayleys. Afterwards, there was a Cabinet appointed negotiating committee to decide on them. The tariff rates were arrived at based on recommendations by them.

“The project to be implemented by Hayleys was 50 MW only. There is a difference between it and Adani. The current government can study the reasons for this. First, a study was to be undertaken on a flight path used by birds. In view of the Hayleys project, the government has done it. Yet, Adani had to pay for it.

“Land acquisition remained the second matter. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had the authority to decide on it. It allocated its plot of land for the Hayelys project whereas Adani had to purchase land for its project.

“The CEB had done a feasibility study on Mannar as a site. Still, Adani had to do a afresh one for its project implementation and pay for it. There were no related infrastructure facilities built for the benefit of the Adani project, such as the last-mile connectivity. We had plans to work them out for the company. Based on reports from officials, we approved them. There are differences in pricing.

“We should know the reasons for scrapping these projects all of a sudden by the current regime. Otherwise, there are only allegations in different directions.  If Adani had allegedly given kickbacks to anyone, it should have been disclosed. Does it mean to say that Adani has acted in violation of Sri Lanka’s law? Is that the allegation being made by the government?

“Now, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Sri Lanka tomorrow. If we want to develop our country, we will have to compete with other countries in Asia. If we abrogate agreements in this manner, it will lead to a breach of trust on Sri Lanka among prospective investors. It will have a grave impact on Sri Lanka. The country that was bankrupt at one point was restored by Ranil Wickremesinghe through his great dedication.

“If we lose this USD 2 billion project, how can we find another? We will not be in a position to quench our thirst even literally.   There is no money even for electric fencing to ward off elephants. We will plunge into poverty as a country again.

“It is up to you as the candidates to inform people during your door-to-door canvassing that the UNP enacted 92 pieces of legislation during its time in office for two and half years. The current rulers went to court against them at that time. There is no need for them to go to court today as rulers to get them scrapped if they want. Parliament can be convened for it to be done by approval of MPs even within a day. They don’t do so. It means they have lied to people at that time. You have to educate people in this regard.

“We will support the government to press ahead with agreements signed with India in 2022 and 2023. Don’t let the country down by scrapping these agreements! If the country’s economy collapses, we all will have to suffer,” he said.