Sri Lanka under Chinese clout

14 October 2010 01:47 pm Views - 6771

By Kelum Bandara

The government has decided to evict thousands of shanty dwellers in Colombo as a move to grab their valuable lands to be given to leading Chinese companies for huge commissions, the UNP said today.

Addressing a press conference, UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said that Sri Lanka is increasingly under   China’s clout today.

“The Rajapaksas can never gain control of the Colombo Municipal Council in a democratic election. Therefore, they try to deprive people of their right to exercise their franchise, through the plans to convert the Council to an authority. Plans are in place to relocate   thousands of families to the areas outside Colombo. These people have lived in these municipal areas for 60 to 80 years. I cite this as a land grabbing exercise done in collaboration with certain multi-national Chinese companies,” he said.

Asked whether he had proof in this respect, he replied, “I do not have documentary proof. Yet, we have received reliable information.”