Port employees protest proposed PPP on Hambantota Port

The All Ceylon General Port Employees Union yesterday staged a protest in front of the Colombo Port to urge the Government to suspend the decision to sign an agreement with China Merchants Port Holding Company Ltd. (CM Port) to lease the Hambantota Port for 198 years.

Union General Secretary Chandrasiri Mahagamage told Daily FT that the Government had stopped the bunkering process of the port which could gain profits to label the Hambantota port a loss-maker.  

Mahagamage also alleged that roughly 400 employees at the Hambantota Port would lose jobs if the agreement was enacted. He further stated that the country would also lose two lighthouses which belonged to the Hambantota Port if the Government leased the port to CM Port.