Advocata to host public discussion on MCC Compact today

Thursday, 19 September 2019 01:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Advocata Institute will be hosting a panel discussion titled ‘MCC Givisuma Gaena Aeththa Naeththa’ (MCC Compact: Facts and Falsehoods) on Thursday 19 September from 6.00 p.m. onwards at the Lighthouse Auditorium and Lawns, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Colombo 07.

The Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has become a topic of recent debate. Some claim that it is an effort to hijack Sri Lanka’s sovereignty by the US, whilst others argue that it is an opportunity to create economic prosperity for Sri Lankans. On 25 April, the MCC Board of Directors approved the five-year Sri Lanka Compact, which is currently pending approval from the Government of Sri Lanka. Since the approval of the Compact, conversations around the MCC grant have been driven by misinformation, fear-mongering, and petty politics, and many valid concerns about the agreement have gone unaddressed. ‘MCC Givisuma Gaena Aeththa Naeththa’ will provide a platform where the general public can raise questions and concerns from the Government and technical experts on the MCC compact.

Speakers include University of Moratuwa Department of Transport and Logistics Management Head Prof. Amal Kumarage; Road Development Authority Deputy Director (Highway Designs) Dr. Saman Widanapathiranage, and former Deputy Surveyor General Sarath Jayatilaka .

The event will be followed by a panel discussion with Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka; former Mass Media Ministry Secretary and University of Peradeniya Lecturer Dr. Charitha Herath, and Millennium Challenge Corporation Resident Country Director (Sri Lanka) Jenner Edelman.

This is a free event, and registration is now open. For more information, visit www.advocata.org.