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Wednesday, 22 January 2020 02:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Government Media Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella
The Government yesterday dismissed criticism by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to throw out the Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreements (ACSA).
The Government last month appointed a four-member Committee to review the MCC agreement and put on hold any further progress on the agreement pending a report. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his manifesto, pledged to review all agreements signed by the previous Government. The $480 million MCC received Cabinet approval by the previous Government, but was not presented to Parliament for approval.
Speaking at a press conference held yesterday, Government Spokesman and State Minister of Investment Promotions Keheliya Rambukwella challenged Premadasa to explain why the agreements were not opposed when he was in power.
“Why did they wait for a change in Government to ‘tear up’ the agreements when he was a Cabinet Minister and Deputy Leader of the United National Party? Why didn’t he initiate this move when he was in power?” Rambukwella argued, pointing out that to do so now, while being in the Opposition, was intended at gaining political mileage.
Rambukwella called on Premadasa to support the removal of the 19th Amendment if he respected public opinion. “If he really wants to serve the people, he should work with us to remove the 19th Amendment, for which there is a public mandate,” he opined.
Commenting on the recent visit by the European Union delegation and the availability of GSP+ incentives till 2023, the Government Spokesman stated that Sri Lanka was agreeable on conditions that improve industrial and labour standards, but will not negotiate on any requests for constitutional changes or calls for release of any alleged political prisoners.
“GSP+ comes with conditions, we are agreeable to look at conditions that help better industrial and labour conditions, but we are not ready to negotiate or accept influence regarding a new Constitution or the release of alleged political prisoners, we are not ready to do that,” he stated.
Responding to a question on the ongoing inquiry into the leaked recordings of telephone conversations between MP Ranjan Ramanayake and others, Rambukwella said that the Government did not wish to politicise the matter and called on all parties let the Police do their job.
