Change of govt. predicted by Mahinda: Govt. MPs seek to allay China’s concern about ‘instability’ in Sri Lanka
Posted on December 19th, 2016
By Shamindra Ferdinando Courtesy The Island
December 18, 2016, 12:00 pm
State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Palitha Ranga Bandara, MP, has claimed that China is in dilemma over the political situation in Sri Lanka, especially in the wake of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s recent claim in Beijing that there could be a change of government in Colombo soon.
State Minister Bandara said that Chinese authorities, investors as well as civil society representatives had inquired about statements on the stability of the UNP-SLFP coalition administration attributed to various persons including former President Rajapaksa.
The former President and ex-External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris visited China recently on the invitation of the Chinese government.
Puttalam District MP Bandara was among 14 members of parliament representing the government and the Opposition currently on a tour of China sponsored by the People’s Republic of China.
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State Ministers Wasantha Aluvihare and Palitha Range Bandara at a briefing received from the Chinese during the ongoing tour.
Since the change of government in January 2015, China has sponsored a series of visits of parliamentarians, including leaders of political parties as well as Speaker Karu Jayasuriya.
Alleging that former President Rajapaksa had been primarily responsible for causing uncertainty among the Chinese, State Minister Bandara said that he along with other members of the government had been able to dispel unfounded fears. UNP delegates included State Minister Dilip Wedaarachchi, Wasantha Alivihare and Priyankara Jayaratne.
State Minister Bandara said that they had explained that President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would take tangible measures to strengthen local government system at the forthcoming local government polls and other elections (elections to three Provincial Councils are scheduled in 2017).
The UNP delegates had told the Chinese that further consolidation would take place in spite of attempts by disgruntled elements to cause turmoil, Bandara said.
State Minister Bandara said that they had discussed ways and means of promoting Chinese investments.
The Chinese have emphasised urgent need to set up vocational training facilities. They have also pointed out that Sri Lanka had failed to take steps in this regard though they agreed to enhance vocational training facilities in the country.
State Minister Bandara quoted Chinese authorities as having said that Sri Lankans should acquire required skills for them to be eligible for recruitment. He said he had assured the Chinese that action would be taken to address their concerns in respect of skilled workers.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=157448
December 20th, 2016 at 8:33 pm
I read elsewhere that MR had said he did not discuss Sri Lanka politics in China, contrary to what is reported in this article.
MR had also said that economic and development matters were focus of those discussions. He had also said he requested China not to acquire 15,000 acres in Hambantota for the proposed economic zone and to stick to the 750 acres agreed to by MR’s government.
December 21st, 2016 at 2:13 am
Our politicians should GIVE UP ASTROLOGY at least now. This is becoming a joke.