• grey areas exist in the agreement signed on September 17th to sell a parcel of shares of the biggest oil powered power plant in the country, the YPP at Kerawalapitiya that generates 310 MWs to the New Fortress Energy Inc

By Sandun A Jayasekera

While reiterating that there will be no selling of national assets for longer periods to foreign investors or foreign companies, government spokesman, Mass Media Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said short term transactions involving national assets were possible.   

A clear picture of the government’s motive to sell 40% of shares of the Yugadanavi Power Plant (YPP) – a fully government owned venture – to the US based energy firm ‘New Fortress Energy Inc.’ would be known when the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa and Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila make statements on the deal in Parliament this week, he added.   

Minister Alahapperuma admitted that there were a few grey areas in the agreement that had been signed on September 17th to sell a parcel of shares of the biggest oil powered power plant in the country, the YPP at Kerawalapitiya that generates 310 MWs to the New Fortress Energy Inc.   

“I am not in agreement with the selling of any national assets to any foreign concern, investor or country which is also a main pledge of the SLPP as well as a firm condition of the policy statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’. Several constituent partners of the government have also expressed their reservations on this affair. The government has not taken a decision to sell any national asset,” Minister Alahapperuma stressed.  

However, giving a monopoly for energy supply to any private company or individual is highly unacceptable. That is why the government called for global tenders for the supply of LNG to Sri Lanka.   

Therefore, the government must reveal the conditions of the agreement signed between the two companies to clear the air. I am confident that the government would not do anything detrimental to the national interests of the country,” he noted.   

• I am not in agreement with the selling of any national assets to any foreign concern, investor or country which is also a main pledge of the SLPP as well as a firm condition of the policy statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’