• Says threat to national security and national economy

By Ajith Siriwardana   

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday called on the Government to withdraw the moves to sell Kerawalapitiya Yugadhanavi Power Plant to an American Company claiming that it would pose a threat to the national security and national economy.   

He told a news conference that the Cabinet Paper with regard to the selling of 40 percent of shares of the Power Plant has been hastily approved by the Cabinet.  

He said a framework agreement has already been signed by the Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle with the American Company called ‘New Fortress Energy’.  

“The policy of this Government has been to sell state property to foreign states. A large proportion of power was vested on a Chinese Company through the Port City Bill recently. Discussions are in progress to hand over Trincomalee Oil Farm and Trincomalee Harbour to India. Now, moves are afoot to sell the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant to America. We know that we don’t have a huge energy market. So, the person who takes over the energy sector today, will have the power to rule this country tomorrow,” he said.  

Mr. Dissanayake said the Yugadhanavi Power Plant which was of 300 MWs, was owned by institutions affiliated to the Government and added that another 300 MW LNG Power Plant was in the making as an extension of the same project.