PM tells Indian counterpart: ’Unable to lease out Mattala Airport’

9 July 2020 06:20 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 29 Bookmark

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Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said he ruled out the possibility of leasing out the Mattala International Airport to India when he visited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier.

He said this while addressing a recent election rally.

“The Mattala Airport is located in my home district. I cannot lease it out. I told this to the Indian Prime Minister when I met him,” he said.

The airport was constructed during the 2010/2015 government, led by Mr. Rajapaksa when he was the President, with US$ 210 million Chinese loan.

The previous government planned to develop the airport as a joint venture with India. (Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 29

Malu Perera Thursday, 09 July 2020 06:28 AM

Did $100 mil go into your pocket? Bloody white elephant projects.

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Lion Thursday, 09 July 2020 06:37 AM

How can we believe this man ,whose life is full of deception and blatant lies made during his career in politics.

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MN Thursday, 09 July 2020 06:52 AM

Indians targeting on Colombo jetty,Trinco oil tanks, just for a song but ready to oil palm of relevant authorities to activate it, BUT Srilankans vehemently against and we don't want give away national assets

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Mk Thursday, 09 July 2020 06:55 AM

PUBLICITY ON THE SRILANKAN MEDIA AND NEWS. ALL OTHER COUNTRIES ARE BANNED FOR PUBLICITY.

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Odin Thursday, 09 July 2020 06:58 AM

...before elections, that is!!!

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Pradeep Thursday, 09 July 2020 07:02 AM

Only until election is over

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Sam Thursday, 09 July 2020 07:09 AM

I see. Anything in your my home district is yours? BTW do you have only one home town or many?

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Jaffna Logic Thursday, 09 July 2020 07:10 AM

All The Sri Lankan Political Leaders Have Been Under Indian Pressure For A Very Long Time. Now The Recent Beatings The Chinese Army Inflicted On The Indian Army Soldiers Has Given All Our Political Leaders The Confidence To Speak Publicly Against India For The First Time. This Is Great And Welcoming.

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Karu Thursday, 09 July 2020 09:43 AM

The Chinese haven't disclosed the casualties from their side. Further it has nothing to do with our Country. Jaffna logic always have their brains elsewhere.

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BigEars Thursday, 09 July 2020 07:18 AM

Sorry uncle, as you are in dotage I am unable to buy this. Just buying time.

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Sinhalaya Thursday, 09 July 2020 07:18 AM

Why he is not so definitive about Eastern Container Terminal of Colombo Harbor. Who cares now about Mattala. Indians are more keen on ECT not Mattala. Thius is what is known as Diversionary Tactic. Very sorry Mr. Prime Minister, MOC with India is not an agreement, therefore Sri Lanka should not give into the demands of INDIA.

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TRUTH Thursday, 09 July 2020 07:33 AM

"Unable to lease out Mattala Airport’' Mahinda who is fooling whom? Do you think Sri Lankan voters are so DUMB to swallow that again? Tell the Voter how much of Sri Lanka you have leased and also sold to foreign countries already.

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Dr Ramalingam Thursday, 09 July 2020 07:36 AM

Check the Wikipedia, Sir Winston Churchill called the Indians as “ the Beastly People ”. Churchill may be a racist but he understood the Indians very well.

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Air-Pot Thursday, 09 July 2020 08:04 AM

We know, it is for the Chinese!!!

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Historian Thursday, 09 July 2020 08:19 AM

North India was continuously ruled by foreign countries for over TWO THOUSAND Years until 1948. Punjab was invaded by Alexander the Great and his Greek Army was ruthless, that is why the Punjabis are very fair and some have even blue eyes. This is the truth about the Indians which they don’t like to talk about. We have a much respectable history than the Indians. We don’t want them in our country in any shape or form.

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rew Thursday, 09 July 2020 08:21 AM

India it will be, what ever MR says pre elections in SL.

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har Thursday, 09 July 2020 10:34 AM

No Indians Please

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Rohini Wickramanayke, London Thursday, 09 July 2020 11:21 AM

Karu, you must be an employee at the Indian High Commission in Colombo, cleaning toilets.

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Jehan Thursday, 09 July 2020 11:23 AM

Only the slaves believe him.

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Kathir Thursday, 09 July 2020 11:37 AM

This is a fake news .At the present situation India doesn't need Matala Airport and fir what purpose.Politicians should stop talking nonsense to cheat the people during this election period.Thanjavur Airport is very important for the security of India then this poorly equipped Matala Airport.

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Ramasamy Thursday, 09 July 2020 11:44 AM

When in need to win the war against LTTE we begged India. Indian radars and planes and intelligence. Now we talk big. Typical Sl

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Sen Thursday, 09 July 2020 02:11 PM

Then defense Secretary of India said,we give you artillery but not shells, they trained terrorists through out while denying doing so, they showed their air might to Southern neighbor by outdated dhal on my roof ,but have second thoughts when China challenged,though many casualties, then high commissioner Dixit was nick named as as vice-roy of Lanka, they did everything to keep Srilanka like a acolyte to Indian administration

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Truth Thursday, 09 July 2020 12:12 PM

What about chineese investments is it not threat to our motherland ? Chinese ate far more dangerous

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Lanka Shantha Thursday, 09 July 2020 02:07 PM

All the Airlines even small ones gave up this Airport as it is not safe for landing and Take-off. Lucky you, when they are cancelling their operations, They didn't mention why.

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suren Thursday, 09 July 2020 03:01 PM

Come to the present, if you give it to Ranil

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sas Thursday, 09 July 2020 03:03 PM

If Mahinda does not not want to allow it to be leased out then he should personally pay the loan and interest.

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Huna Thursday, 09 July 2020 03:22 PM

Then how are we going to pay off the chinese debt ?

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Middle Class Thursday, 09 July 2020 03:35 PM

How to give to India. This has already been promise to China noh.

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sarath Thursday, 09 July 2020 03:43 PM

we cannot give the Mattala airport to anyone, as we need it to store paddy and graze our buffaloes

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