28 March, 2024

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The Hambantota Port Deal

By Mahinda Rajapaksa

Mahinda Rajapaksa

Mahinda Rajapaksa

Since the future of the Hambantota port is now under discussion, I wish to explain to the public, my position on this matter. The loans taken for the construction of this harbour were 450 million USD for the first phase, 70 million USD for the bunkering facility and 802 million USD for the second phase bringing the total to around 1,322 million USD. When complete the harbour would have four terminals and 12 berths. This was meant to be a free port covering an area of 2,000 hectares where goods could be manufactured or value added and shipped overseas. All the necessary feasibility studies were done before these loans were taken and the annual interest plus capital repayments would amount to about 111 million USD. My government had planned to raise that money through the Ports Authority itself.

The first phase of the Hambantota harbour became partially operational in 2011. The transhipment of vehicles began in 2012 with 70% of the vehicles coming into Hambantota being transhipped to other countries. In 2014, 335 vessels called at the Hambantota harbour with 295 in 2015. The port made an operating profit of Rs. 900 million in 2014 and Rs 1.2 billion in 2015. These are investments that last centuries and a new harbour cannot be expected to produce large profits in the first few years. Our plan was to break even within ten years.

My government had signed a Supply Operate and Transfer (SOT) management contract with a joint venture between China Harbour Co and China Merchant Co to supply equipment such as cranes and operate the Hambantota container terminal for 40 years. The Ports Authority was to receive a rental of 35,000 USD per hectare per year for the 56 hectares in the container terminal (a total of 1.96 million USD per year), a royalty of 2.5 USD on every container loaded or unloaded, warfrage of 30 USD per container for cargo coming into Sri Lanka and all other usual harbour charges for navigation, piloting, tonnage, etc. Other than the container terminal, all other terminals in the harbour and the 2,000 hectare industrial zone was to be controlled by the Ports Authority and they would have derived the income from the cargo of the free port passing through their terminals.

The new government made some unwise decisions. Firstly, they disregard the management contract for the Hambantota container terminal entered into by my government with China Harbour Co and China Merchant Co. Secondly, the Ports Authority had developed the Colombo East container terminal and upon its completion by 2016, this terminal would have produced a revenue of more than 100 million USD a year which the Ports Authority had earmarked to pay off the Hambantota loan until the latter generated sufficient income. The yahapalana government halted the Colombo East terminal development. Thirdly, by the end of 2014, my government had signed agreements with several foreign and local companies to lease out about 80 hectares in the Hambantota port industrial zone at the minimum rate of 50,000 USD per year per hectare with minimum guaranteed volumes of cargo and minimum guaranteed royalties. All those agreements were disregarded by the new government.

Then the government said the Hambantota port was a white elephant and that it had to be privatised to raise the money to pay off the loans taken to build it. They called for bids, not just for harbour operations but for the rights of the landlord over the entire 2,000 hectare free port so that whoever takes the long lease will operate the entire harbour and have complete control over the industrial zone as well.  The two companies China Harbour Co and China Merchant Co which made a joint proposal to lease out the Hambantota container terminal for 40 years during my government are the same companies that have made rival bids to lease the entire free port under the present government.

A framework agreement has been signed by the govt. with China Merchant Co to lease out the entire free port for 99 years for a payment of 1.08 billion USD on a 80%-20% equity sharing basis. No other income will accrue to the Ports Authority for 15 years, after which they will receive dividends for their 20% stake only if dividends are declared. The lease will be extendable for another 99 years and a 44 hectare artificial island outside the port has been included in the deal. There is provision for the construction of another 20+ berths and the rights over these too have been given to the lessee. The amount of the lease seems to have been based only on the construction cost of the port without an accredited international  valuation reflecting the strategic location value of the port, the value of the 99 year period, its 2,000 hectare land, the oil tank farm and the value of its present commercial operations.

This bid has been accepted in a situation where the other company China Harbour Co. had (according to information available to us) put in a much more favourable bid to lease the free port on a 65-35 equity sharing basis for 50 years with an upfront payment of 750 million USD plus the payment of all the charges they had earlier agreed to with regard to the container terminal management contract. The government has chosen the least favourable bid despite (according to information available to us) the Ports Authority having recommended the other bidder. Details of how the two proposals were evaluated have not been disclosed.

A 99 year lease impinges on Sri Lanka’s sovereign rights because a foreign company will enjoy the rights of the landlord over the 2,000 hectare free port while operating the entire harbour as well. This is not an issue with China or with foreign investors. It is about getting the best deal for Sri Lanka. The agreement that my government negotiated with both China Harbour Co and China Merchant Co to manage the Hambantota container terminal for 40 years is the best deal yet. The bid made by China Harbour Co for a 50 year lease is obviously more favourable than the bid made by the other company. As a matter of principle, I am against the leasing of the entire harbour for 99 years and giving the rights of the landlord over the industrial zone to a foreign private company. The industrial zone and the harbour should be controlled by the Ports Authority while harbour operations may be given on management contracts to the private sector. For example, the Colombo port is run by the Ports Authority and two private operators. The Ports Authority has full control over the Colombo harbour as well as equity in the two privately run terminals. I believe this should be the approach to the Hambantota port as well.

Apart from the entire Hambantota free port, the government has decided to lease a further 15,000 acres outside the free port to a foreign company for 99 years. In a situation where even the 2,000 hectares within the free port have not been utilised yet, on what grounds can we justify the leasing of another 15,000 acres to a foreign company? The total land area of all the Board of Investment economic zones  in the country at present put together do not amount to 2,000 hectares. A 15,000 acre zone in Hambantota will be disproportionate to our country’s economy. Furthermore, the disruption caused to the people of the area will be immense if 15,000 acres of land were to be acquired for this purpose. The government should fill the free port with investments first before opening more zones. Furthermore the government should have supervision over the kind of factories, that will be opened in these industrial zones, the fuel they use and the waste they produce. My government agreed only to the use of LNG gas, even though some potential investors wanted to use coal.

This is not an issue that can be resolved by baton-charging or tear gassing protestors or having them assaulted by thugs and remanded. There are real issues relating to the financial benefits that will accrue to the country from this deal, and issues of control and sovereignty over the free port and possible environmental issues that need to be addressed.

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Latest comments

  • 42
    11

    Crocodile tears from a leader who looted the country to core.

    Their aim is to return to power by hook or crook.

    More awreness programmes will help the people to get to know ground realities better in the country. Those media men defend Rajapakshes will have to face it in the future.

    • 28
      6

      Mahinda,

      Just cut the crap.

      Do you really want us to believe that you could even read this piece written for you, let alone understand it?

      If you had even the foggiest idea about the crap you build around Hambanthota, you wouldn’t had to force planes to take off from Katunayake and land in Mattala ten minutes later. That alone can be used to define stupidity in any dictionary.

      • 17
        1

        Nimal, That was all well planned out…

        They wanted to make it look like a failure so that they can use it as an excuse to hand it over to China on a platter…

        • 3
          3

          Ranil’s economic hit men team is not doing any DUE DILIGENCE on so-called supposed Chinese and US development projects and “investments”.

          They simply swallow vague promises from the Chinese Ambassador and the US govt. about billions worth of investment. A properly qualified economic team with the BOI should look closely at the type of industry, opportunities for transfer of technology and number and quality of GOOD JOBS being created for Sri Lankan citizens first????
          This must be done BEFORE massive tracks of land are being appropriated and people being thrown out and displaced from their homes in the name of Development from the Chinese and the United States!
          Today there is very little FDI investment everywhere as a result of de-globalization.
          The fact of the matter is that Sri Lanka would not be at the lower depths if Ranil had not collaborated with MR all those years while in the opposition. Ranil took over the DEVELOPMENT JOKE corruption mantle from MR that is the truth

      • 3
        2

        He proclaims to be patriot, but stand on the way when investments are going to flow to the country. What he has to do is keep quiet and let the issues get shaped by the current govt. Since the current govt is of two grand parties, they will have to come to a consensus for each and every issues, without the mediation of Mahinda Rajapakshe.

        In 2020, Mahinda Rajapakshe would feel, why not he enjoyed the last 5 years his retirement. Why should he be the ONLY person to have all pains about the country. Just because of all or not issue succeeded him in his first term, meaning nothing. IT WAS COLLECTIVITY ELEMINATED TERROR FROM THE COUNTRY::: THAT WAS ONLY PHYSICAL TERROR BY THE WAY:

    • 17
      5

      Mahinda Rajapaksa

      RE: The Hambantota Port Deal

      You had 6 years after the war, to clean things upo,

      What did you do?

      You messed up things up and stole, stole and stole. Where are you hiding the stolen billions pf public finds? you did the deal with the Chinese. The Mattala Airport was a disaster, good for Buffaloes like you.

      Mattala Airport Truth

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf22sNGCpQU

      Now others have to fix and clean up.

      Why should you not be charged and punished for your crimes ?

      Because you have paid off the Turncoat, Traitor, Gona, Mala-Peretahaya, and Sevalaya?

      • 12
        3

        Not Only that He is Playing BABA HXXUN,
        again he wants to hood wink Sri Lankan and Chinese as well.

        He bellows that PORT COSTRUCION Full Cost 1322 million US Dollars,
        bUT JVP SAYS 750 US Dollars Millions spent as per Ministry of ports records.
        So .
        PATRIOTIC MAHIHNDA???????.
        US Dollars Millions question ???????????.
        W
        What happened to the balance 572 US Dollars Millions.???????? .

        How can YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON ALL THOSE PLACES,
        AS WE, THE POOR PEOPLES PAY for EXORBINET LOANS And stolen money from people’s coffers.

        • 4
          0

          Julampitiye Amaraya

          “bUT JVP SAYS 750 US Dollars Millions spent as per Ministry of ports records.”

          “How can YOU PUT YOUR NAME ON ALL THOSE PLACES,
          AS WE, THE POOR PEOPLES PAY for EXORBINET LOANS And stolen money from people’s coffers.”

          “What happened to the balance 572 US Dollars Millions.???????? “

          That is “Royalty Fees” (aka “Commissions’) to the Medamulana Mahinda Rajapaksa, for lending the Mahinda Rajapaksa Name to the Port So that the Chinese will lend the money.

    • 15
      4

      Putha Mahinda

      You have become a stubborn son who don’t care about his father’s soul yearning for your goodness from the heaven.

      You did so many things in Hambantota and all over the country without any protests or harassment during your term.

      Ranil did not harass you like you are doing against him now. Of course, there were secret intelligence agents watching the footpaths of all the citizens, white vans and even Grease Yakka’s giving you the space you wanted to do your job. You enjoyed the biggest Kitibath in 2009 and also saved the life of Wimal Weerawanse whom I would like to call Boooooruwanse.

      It is time for you to take a back seat and allow the present government to do its program of work. You are opposing everything they are doing. This is not good. My grand putha’s are leaning bad habits from you.

      My gut feeling is you are going to end up in the prison soon. This will destroy you altogether.

      It is time for you think of retirement seriously. Get your putha’s to produce grand babies so that you can spend your retirement well. Don’t create conditions for your putha’s to end up in the jails. If this happens, you cannot have grand babies soon.

      So slowdown. Hold your breath. Think about me in heaven.

      I want you to join me in heaven and not go to hell because of the sins you are committing.

      Go and see your astrologer urgently.

      With love.

      Yours dearest Dada Don.

      • 8
        1

        ‘ Obata Puthay Magak Nathe’ – Thatha.

        ( ‘ Son, there is no way for you’ -Father)

        • 8
          0

          Why not … he has reserved a permanent place in Hell together with Zimbabwian Mugabe and Lybian Gadafi… .

          We alllive not more than 100 years all together. This man now being a sepatagenerian, he as only 30 years at maximum. Instead doing something else, making up the mind for him and his family – his devious agendas to topple the govt and go against any good steps – is against the folks.

          This man Mahinda well belong to Guanthanabe Prison. No lanken prisons okay for him. THe kind of criminals should be associated with his like minded high criminals in G America.

        • 4
          0

          Dr. R.N.

          “Son, there is no way for you” – Father, other than commit suicide or opt for the electric chair !

    • 7
      1

      This man is so desperate.
      Now he says Sirisena should not contest the next Presidency , but YOUNG ONES!!
      Who has he got in his mind hope it’s NOT HIS CRIMINAL CLAN!!

      • 5
        0

        We should be ashamed the kind of man to have voted int to power.

        All or not eleminated the terror .. phsycial terror int he country. BUt that was not everything. In the aftermath, he abused the very same nation across the country being intoxicated by power.

        Also Artistes that verbally put him on altar should also be accoutable for the fate this man faced even if his dreams were to reign until his death:
        I never thought we ever see any leaders of Gadafi or Sadam nature in our countries, but this man s power greediness proves it us day by day… he could even become worst.

    • 0
      0

      THis guy never wrote this piece. Even this piece is a fake, much like the man himself.

  • 29
    8

    HORA number one, shedding crocodile tears to protect HIM and the MURDEROUS FAMILY from all murders and corruptions.

    People are gradually getting to know the true hidden face of RAJAPASSAS.

    UDAYANGA’S Millions frozen, Basil’s palace confiscated, Namal’s Carlton TV seized. All swindled from the public. Then there are high profile murders directly pointing the daggers on RAJAPASSAS.

    No get away man, GET READY for the D Day. No amount of crocodile tears and bogus nationalism will save you. The younger people have all the information in their finger tips, it’s only a matter of time. It’s not IF, but WHEN. JAYAWEVA.

    Don’t you worry, we will apply the same amount of pressure for JAMES BOND too.

  • 23
    2

    Comment written and scripted by DR DJ and GL.
    Cheers!!!!

  • 21
    4

    Tsunami Raja,Your sons have by force acquired so many lands owned by the fishermen and got deeds in other peoples name having their power of attorney. how did you and your brothers build hotels and palaces and how about the money you siphoned to all parts of the world and so on I can write pages and pages…

    Please verify the Hambantota tales from the fisherman you will not hear from media.
    so please keep quiet ,go to galleface and fly a kite with a long tail.

  • 22
    2

    “This is not an issue that can be resolved by baton-charging or tear gassing protestors or having them assaulted by thugs and remanded.”

    Yes Sir, This is not an issue at all compared how you dealt with the issues related to protest by People for drining water. First of all it is you who behind the protest similar to you did with Muslims recently. Why your son was at the protest? Why there were Buddhist Monks were in the protest? Why there was no Hindu, Christian or Muslims religious leaders were not there? Don’t think this is part of your coup? Only fews weeks before you mentioned about bringing down this government and now you want to induce the Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalists blood to boil. Do you want that this country to flood with blood and kill half of the population in order to bring back you to power?

  • 18
    1

    ….and the Liyannamahaththaya has written
    …..”This is not an issue that can be resolved by baton-charging or tear gassing¬……

    Liyannamahaththaya, please remind the Great Liberator about
    1 Rathupaswela 2 Katunayake 3 Chilaw and a few others……

    Also, in the impressive figures you have given, I don’t see any reference to 10% and 5%. Amnesia is a great healer. ah!

    All said, between the governments of the Great Liberator and Yahapalanaya, WE the PEOPLE are well and truly stuffed.

    Aiyoo, Ammo, who to tell to?

  • 4
    10

    Haven’t got all the time to read this, yet it is a reasonable explanation and seems good. Let the present government build on it.Likes of JVP must examine the facts and the above explanation and give their blessing. To neglect what is done already is wasteful, but build on it with greater scrutiny and transparency. This is like catching the tiger’s tail. Over to you Mr Handunetti to get involved and see that the continuation of this white elephant is properly managed.
    I would have spent the money other priorities.
    Why not get a foreign company to invest in the area to install solar panels and wind generators, say over 1000acres.They will use their money that would give us electrical power, employment and part of the income generated. This way the country don’t have to borrow, which is a scandal.

  • 14
    3

    Who wrote this for him?
    Present finance minister is chartered accountant, you were the only uneducated finance minister in history and left a mess?

    • 9
      1

      Janaka,

      The Great Liberator has really only 3 trusted English-writing Liyannamahaththaya’s who write what the Great Liberator wishes. Now and then they add a little here and there. I remember the legendary Liyannamahaththaya’s outside the court complex; all you need is a good Remington. Affidavits, petitions, business letters, love letters….you want it? They will write.

  • 18
    3

    If MR can write such good English, why dont we make English the official language of Sri Lanka? This will solve most of our problems and bring back the communities to happily live together!

    • 4
      0

      Thamilan

      That is what they should have done in the first place. But the devious Sinhala politicians of immediate post independence made ‘Sinhala Only’ their rallying call in their fight to win the 70% Bauddha-Sinhala voter. Banda (whose father/grandfather were colonial padikkam carriers) won. Then the rot set in.

      If WE were really smart, we would have asked the British to stay and administrate (but not rule) whilst we did the cricket and baila. Then we might have ended up like Hong Kong or Singapore.

  • 10
    2

    Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, MP for Kurunegala: Could you please attend the Parliament, with that “Agreement” your Government signed with the Chinese Co. when the present “Agreement” proposed is debated. Then only we will see how you can really establish credentials to that “Agreement” your Government signed and weigh against the “Proposed Agreement”. Perhaps, you would “establish” the legal standings of that “Agreement”, because you are also a Lawyer. Don’t you think it is a good opportunity to prove what you are worth, rather than “writing” articles to the press? Please do participate in that debate, because we have yet to hear you in such an event in Parliament. Thank you.

  • 14
    1

    Athi musaawaada kiwwa athi. Retire gracefully. You are the only one who LOST the Presidency in an election. Just retire. You turned a blind eye to your own sibling’s corruption and your children’s arrogance and your brother in law’s stupidity. Now you want to preach?

  • 15
    2

    You wanted an incident in Hambantota. You wanted to use possible deaths of protesters to make a comeback. But people have not fallen for your trick. You wanted to use an incident to make it look like the Rathupaswela tragedy under your regime. Dump Basil Hora; apologize for the mistakes; admit to corruption; tell your prince Namal Baba to eat humble pie and then see if people will accept you.

    Your party the SLFP will lose by a landslide to the UNP. Sirisena group will come in third and your group will come in second but UNP will win by massive margins in the local government elections.

  • 13
    2

    Your vanity came from your insecurity. You were much loved. You ended the war. But your insecurities and paranoia got the worst of you. You became greedy and thought you were untouchable. You humiliated the CJ. You amended the constitution instead of being like a hero and leaving office gracefully after 2 full terms. You never thought your nemesis CBK will outwit you along with Macho Hetero Ranil when they put forward Aapa Sirisena. The UNP got galvanized because they saw a candidate who can finally win. RW was not greedy. He knew he was looked upon as a loser and despite his massive heterosexual credentials, people thought something was wrong with RW.

    You ended up losing because you alienated Muslims and Tamils. If 255,000 more Muslims voted for you, you would have become a tyrannical King. You allowed relatives to rob. Your idiot O-level cousin Jaliya robbed state money; he borrowed hundreds of thousands of dollars from his friends along with his Brother Prasanna and never paid it back. Udayanga was made Ambassador. You basically became very arrogant. Your sons thought they were princes.

    Your inferiority complex made you get your wife to ask for Chandirika madam’s help to get your son admitted to Oxford like her sister was; and Anura who actually got a good degree from LSE. But Namal baba’s Alevels were not good and also you failed to realized Oxford and other places are snobbish places. You like Sirisena who send his kids to London too desperately wanted to emulate the Bandas who were natural born Aristocrats with a silver spoon and lost your way.

    You should have remained a simple man of the southern people and people would have carried you on their shoulders or a palanquin back to your ancestral home if you gracefully retired. People still love you but it is not enough for you to win elections. You ruined SriLankan Airlines and you wasted billions because your abiththiya Sajin fed you a pack of lies; he was a big thief and he was your go-to man and now he is giving evidence and has 2 Defenders full of PSD protecting him. There has never been an article or speech by you where you acknowledge your mistakes and your sins. Billions wasted; because of your ego you broke the deal with Emirates. Because of your ego you wanted the Lotus Pond named after you even though it was not your project because Chandirika madam had it done. Mattala? What was that about?

    Time to repent and accept Jesus as your saviour and he will forgive you and with help from Our Lord Jesus, you can rise again.

    • 10
      1

      Born again
      Very true

  • 11
    1

    Interesting article under the name of MaRa! I wonder whether he read this!

  • 4
    16

    I’m saying : somehow out of all the deals, Rajapaksa’s deal looks like the best deal.

    It’s sophisticated, it’s balanced for the country (maybe not the Matara airport- that was one glitch), and is a win-win for Sri Lanka, China, and the USA(the annual Trump-tithe).

    MyGod! But the Ranil deal- now that’s one helluva conglomerate of mad sellings-off to China!

    • 7
      1

      My dear Ramona deal o’deal!
      This man Raja can produce gold dust from a pair of knickers!

      My God! the smell will reach beyond China… helluva conglomerate of Rajapakse brothers.

      • 2
        6

        He’s good, right?! (maybe not the pair of knickers….now that was typical).

        • 5
          0

          Dear Ramona,
          You say”It’s sophisticated, it’s balanced for the country (maybe not the Matara airport- that was one glitch)”,.
          I totally agree with you. We have never had a leader with Rajapakse’s I.Q. I do think he would have made a better deal if not for Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu. I am reliably informed that she threatened to stop sending cars to Hambantota.
          That Jayalalitha was a pain in the neck, don’t you think? Please do listen to her BBC interview on Youtube, and her fake English accent. It is bad to speak evil of the dead, but do you think she was actually as sophisticated and intelligent as she seems, compared to our liberator, Mahinda?

          • 0
            1

            romani,

            Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu sophisticated?!!!. No one from India can be sophisticated. After all, they have to deal 99% of the time with the 99% of their low-castes and Dalits. And the North Indian ones looked like weasels…..long twirling mustachios and all. Now Lankans on the other hand. Being of Buddhist culture and therefore egalitarian (even if of minority religions), have a natural grace and dignity. And IQ is linked to that.

            Why, I once looked on you-tube at the TN parliament. They looked a bunch of thumping trolls. So I thought, “My God, our fellows probably look no better.” So I went on you-tube to the Lankan parliament. I felt a glower of pride at the comely and dignified looks of our fellows (even when they were fighting).

            • 2
              0

              ” And the North Indian ones looked like weasels…..long twirling mustachios and all”
              Yes, dear Ramona, I can see you are my soul sister. How handsome our Mahinda looks at 70, with his moustache. Even without Photoshop.
              Oh yes, and how beautiful is his consort Shiranthi, of egalitarian Buddhist culture. Her aunt (who is in the news these days) is named Daisy Forrest, a truly Sinhala Buddhist name in my estimation, probably Veddah in origin.
              “Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu sophisticated?!!!. No one from India can be sophisticated.”
              How extraordinarily perceptive you are, Ramona!!! Yes, even that fellow Bacchan cannot speak English like Mahinda. It is a pity that Jackie Fernandez has decided to throw in her lot with these village bums, don’t you think?
              India has only Marutis, but we have a Volkswagen factory, no less!!!

              • 0
                3

                Oh well, Mahinda’s mustache isn’t exactly curling upwards, is it. It suits his face and makes him look benign. He has no need to put on fake accents to impress foreigners. Last thing he needs is put on a fake accent and traumatize the masses who do not have the resources for elocution classes. Hope there are elocution classes for the Sinhala language (rather than the high-pitched and slightly hysterical endings at times, of Sinhala phrases/sentences).

                Yes, the family tends to branch off in odd directions at times, like boosting up little children till they are infused with misbegotten pride. Well, they can learn from the public perception, that the keynote to Lankan success and national unity is simplicity and awareness of all men, and that starting from pre-school is the way to implement that egalitarian Buddhist concept. They don’t have misplaced views like the present regime, on looking simple and easy-going, and then enticing the masses with all kinds of Christmas trees so that the masses will work for the newly founded high-caste of business-people.

                Probably Daisy Forrest was married to a Mr. Forrest. Guess all the lands and property they own were gained the same way all the previous Lankan hierarchy gained them. Where did e.g. Bandaranaikes and Jayawardenas get their wealth? Yet, in this day and age, with the masses clamoring for an egalitarian lifestyle, albeit at a higher level compared to the past, then it can’t be a good thing for any one family to own too much wealth(unless you’re American or colonial British , and trying to keep up a global status). However, it is expected that the family owns a property or two in Col 7.

                • 1
                  0

                  Dear ramona,
                  ” that the keynote to Lankan success and national unity is simplicity and awareness of all men,”
                  Yes indeed. Look at the way those unsophisticated Indians Gandhi and Nehru dressed, practically in tatters! Both even claimed to have law degrees from Oxford and Cambridge. Don’t you think these were fake too, unlike our Mahinda’s law degree? How well he writes to Colombo Telegraph!!! I have NEVER seen any articles by Nehru or Gandhi in CT of this quality..

                  • 3
                    0

                    romani

                    You are writing nonsense;

                    ramona grandma therese fernando’s main concern is that “national unity is simplicity and awareness of all men, and that starting from pre-school is the way to implement that egalitarian Buddhist concept.”

                    Please type “Images for gotabaya son’s wedding” and “Basil Rajapaksha”s daughter wedding in Google and see how frugal their wedding ceremonies were.

                    • 1
                      1

                      Dear Mr.Vedda,
                      Ramona Therese is a great lady. If she was not, what would you write about? I don’t believe any other CT commentators have her IQ.

                    • 3
                      0

                      romani

                      Now that you have clarified I have no reason to deny her the glory she deserves.

                      A word of caution, she makes up stories as she goes along which I am afraid will leave you wonder where she started and where she is heading.

                      As long as you keep a mental note of her twist and turns, you will be alright. Eventually she will agree with you which will make you suspect your own judgement.

                      Wish you all the best.

                      What a great debater.

                    • 0
                      0

                      Wow Native Vedda….thanks!!!….never knew.

                    • 0
                      0

                      Romani,

                      It was the UNP who went around with top hats and coat tails. Bandaranaike, Sirimavo, and Rajapaksas and people wore the national dress, without becoming too ostentatious with amudehs and things. No false modesty on their part.

                      Average iq I think (hopefully average high)

                      Thanks for taking on Mr. Archeology..….he, he :)

                    • 1
                      0

                      Dear Mr. Vedda,
                      “Wow Native Vedda….thanks!!!….never knew.”
                      See, you and Ramona are already great friends! Keep it up, nice words always bring good results. Try it on Sach , Soma , De Silva, etc. I believe sach is a nice young lady in Paris.

                  • 0
                    2

                    Romani,

                    Ghandi and Neru………misplaced sense of humility. Didn’t exactly run with the Dalits did they……..just got the most expensive education in the world and only dressed like Dalits. What a mockery of Dalits. Our Rajapaksas on the otherhand – no sham play at poverty. But they do actually bind with the masses with authentic Lankan accents, especially when speaking English. However, it is good if they can curb their exuberance in throwing around country money. However, that money remains withing Lanka and creates job opportunities and spreads the wealth for locals.

                    Rajapaksa writes clearly and concisely. Only a true lawyer who has learned form the heart of his people can write like that. No need to have gone to Oxford and Cambridge where the British ensured they controlled the minds of their colonists. Ghandi and Neru were all about stimulating their masses with their goody-goodiness, with no actual plan in place, other than to have the humble look.

                    • 1
                      0

                      My dear Ramona,
                      Only a person of your calibre would write :
                      “Rajapaksa writes clearly and concisely. Only a true lawyer who has learned form the heart of his people can write like that. No need to have gone to Oxford and Cambridge where the British ensured they controlled the minds of their colonists. Ghandi and Neru were all about stimulating their masses with their goody-goodiness, with no actual plan in place, other than to have the humble look.”
                      What insight you display! Yes, the leaders of India were all fakes, pretending to dress simply while our great freedom-fighters (because of whom the Indians got freedom) were always dressed decently in tail-coats and top hats.
                      Indians are still fakes. I saw an Internet article recently which proved that their mission to Mars was actually filmed in Bollywood!

            • 0
              0

              Sinhalses dont have to deal with Karava, Govigama Wahumpura, Bathgama, Durava, ramona therese, and Salagama??? Hypocrisy at work

  • 4
    1

    The article did not explain how the Chinese Submarines found terms to berth under the previous 40 years Port Authority deal. Why the submarines did not return after Yahapalanaya government came in?

    The article did not explain what connection existed between the contracts of the first phase and secound phase had? Why Ranil first tried to cancel the second phase, complained he could not?

    Article is not very clear between the cash flows and the profit. It is excusing the harbor was not expected to make any profit for first 10 years. But where the cash is going to come to pay the interest? that is the 120 Million dollar question. A port can take 10-15 years to turn around but the cash flow should start to balance with in one or two years. Further in this type of projects, variable cost must be well covered before loan principal started to be met. Why the Yahapalanaya Goverment found difficult to pay the salaries in airport and sea port?

    What should be the traffic at what rate to break even, what was the traffic at what rate in 2014, that is three years after opening.

    Why the Chinese ambassador went to meet at home?He is already known as a dragon!

    • 3
      1

      “Article is not very clear between the cash flows and the profit”

      you think Mahinda cares…he got cash flowing in to his and his siblings’ bank account.

  • 3
    2

    MR did not like educated people around him. I can believe he worked this intelligent. Because of his brother and the trained army, he won the war. He withstood the foreign influences. That was his share.

    • 1
      0

      jim softy Dimwit

      “He withstood the foreign influences. That was his share.”

      Come on, be serious, listen to this clip:

      Shivshankar Menon on India-Sri Lanka relations

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPjR0s4MEGY

    • 0
      0

      small correction: Mr didn’t win the war. He took credit for winning the war. duh

  • 7
    1

    Why is CT giving this crook publicity in promoting lies and continuing to deceive the people. This despot has no respect and is a blatant liar trying to stoke the fires of racial and religious hatred. The whole world is aware of what a crook he and his family are and the paid hooligans in his payroll are trying to display a show of firepower by organizing meetings and videos to con the people of his popularity. If he is so honest why does he not provide the government with a full and complete list of all the assets he and his family and surrogates own both in SL and overseas. You are now seeing a demented and desperate political crook trying to regain power by hook or by crook. The cheapest and lowliest behaviour is so evident by the attempts the ex despot is making to hoodwink the masses. RW and NS must use this opportunity to send this cheapskate and family to the gallows or be permanently locked up in the calaboose so that the people of SL are protected from this vermin. Also good to include the featherweight piss farting GLP and DJ in sending them into space.

  • 2
    0

    Lets relegate rajapakshes into history.

    Lets look into the SOT (Supply, Operate & transfer) agreement that was signed by the pas Govt for a 40 year period?
    and see what this government has done.

    Could some one elaborate on this?

  • 0
    0

    The Port of Hambantota-Sri lanka is most natural location of navigation between East and West of Asia, Middle East and Africa Continaltial that nations belongs to 54 countries with fast growing national Economies of Globally.

    It supposed to play in monetary terms that will generated income of Trillions of US dollars Economy exchanges of commodities between Asian and Africa people in the future of by Global order of New World Economy will come into being .

    This is a major part and parcel of South-South co-operation can be contributed by Port of Hambantota of New world Economy order.
    The proposed to Develop of Port having Comparative advantage and Non-monetary are unlimited, On other hand Economically, Politically and multi-national benefits are unprecedented changing is that affluence society in Southern province as well as whole Island.

    I want suggest that of Port of Hambantota having designed New Guide Lines of Development of Economy as follow;

    1 Market of port of Hambantota must be deeply Embedded in system of
    Democratic Governances. Port and Province of South required other
    social institutions to support them ongoing operations
    We have rely on Court of Law and New legal arrangements to enforce
    property and Sovereignty of nation rights and regulation to rein in
    abuse and fix market failures.

    2 We have to depend on the stabilization of functions that lenders
    of last resort and countercyclical FISCAL POLICY PROVIDE. Hence we
    need the political authority buying that redistributive Taxation
    safety nets and social assurance programmes help generate from
    Foreign capital .In ongoing operation foreign capital & market do
    not create regulate stability or sustain by themselves. The history
    of foreign capital and imperialism has been a process of learning
    and re-learning this lessons.

    3 The Democratic governance and political leadership and forces have
    to organized largely within province are likely to remain so
    for the immediate future. The quest of foreign capital is fool’s
    errand both Nation govt. and people are unlikely to cede
    significant control to companies because harmonizing laws and rule
    law Not benefits to Sri Lankan with diverse needs and priorities.

    4 When foreign Capital cooperation does not succeed if often spawns
    rules that reflect the preference to big country and are ill-fitting
    to Sri Lankan current circumstance of other. While WTO’s rules on
    on subsidies ,intellectual property and investment measures typify
    this kind of overreaching.

    5 In fact we have acknowledge to foreign capital that institutional
    organizations must build at the national level ,its frees up to Sri
    Lankan to develop the organization that suit ours best interest.
    An idea that a effect type democratic governances, social security
    system and Labour market legislations that only works in a well
    functions of the Market sustsnibility by priority the prosperity of
    country and People.
    6 Sri Lankan having the Right to protect our own social obligations
    regulations and institution.

    • 1
      2

      This port is the envy of the Singapore, India
      Ideal service and transhipment hub.
      One day they will give credit to Mahinda!

      Sinhalese when united has proven that they can overcome any evil!
      Divided they perish killing each other!
      This is what is happening today.
      Our people were fooled to believe in short term instead of long term benefits.

      So the plan seem to be facism now, to continue without general elections? According to toilet mouth?
      So much of yahapalane, scared to do a local election!

      • 0
        0

        “Sinhalese when united has proven that they can overcome any evil!”

        How can we ever think of the unity, so called extremists make it worse today ?

        External affairs should be discussed being united – be them opposition or ruling candidates. But your beloved being smeared all the extrements today, seem not knowing what he has been doing why ? I think the kind of leaders should either be kept in jails for peace andharmony of the nation.

      • 1
        0

        Must make us of this port without putting the country into further debt.

  • 3
    0

    srinath gunaratnam

    Paranoid and pathetic.

    What is your message if there is one?

    I am beginning to believe empty vessels make most noise.

    By the way the last general election was held on 18 August 2015 the presidential one was on 8th Jan 2015.

    The country cannot afford to have elections whenever you get MR stimulated erotic sensation.

  • 0
    1

    I used to have concerns about rajapaksa economic model, it seems Rajapaksas are great thinkers, planners, strategists and executors….well dump RW we need him back

    • 3
      0

      sachooooooooooooooooooooo the stupid II

      “I used to have concerns about rajapaksa economic model”

      Could you give us brief introduction to MR’s economic model.

      Is it Feldman–Mahalanobis model?

      Was he relying on endogenous variable or exogenous factors?

      How do rational expectation, and adaptive expectations make models difficult?

      What limitation did he have when he came up with his economic model which you understood well and now come to appreciate?

      How much inspiration did he draw from cobweb theorem, prisoner’s dilemma, free riders, ….. when he designed his model?

      Take your own time.

      • 0
        1

        why should i waste my time on a moron like you?

        • 2
          0

          sachoooooooooooooo the stupid II

          “why should i waste my time on a moron like you?”

          Its for the fellow forum sharers to decide. You just substantiate your claim, that “I used to have concerns about rajapaksa economic model,”.

          Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
          – Alexander Pope

          Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
          – Abraham Lincoln

  • 2
    0

    sachooooooooooooooooooooo the stupid II

    “I used to have concerns about rajapaksa economic model”

    Could you give us brief introduction to MR’s economic model.

    Is it Feldman–Mahalanobis model?

    Was he relying on endogenous variable or exogenous factors?

    How do rational expectation, and adaptive expectations make models difficult?

    What limitation did he have when he came up with his economic model which you understood well and now come to appreciate?

    How much inspiration did he draw from cobweb theorem, prisoner’s dilemma, free riders, ….. when he designed his model?

    Take your own time.

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