• The general public is already facing immense difficulties at the moment. If they are to face power cuts and interruption of water supply due to trade union action, their plight will be grimmer
• This is by no means a foreign investment. In fact, this is a drain of local funds towards foreign nations

The proposed transaction of the “yugadhanawi” power plant is by no means an investment but a deal that is set to make Sri Lanka lose  US $ 410 million, Opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

 Commenting on the controversial transaction of the power plant and the trade union actions to be taken against it, he said  The general public is already facing immense difficulties at the moment. If they are to face power cuts and interruption of water supply due to trade union actions, their plight will be grimmer and worse.  transaction of the power plant and the trade union actions to be taken against it, he said   “But, who is responsible for this crisis? These professionals and service personnel of the electricity board have acted with restraint since the break of the COVID 19 pandemic. They have come to a point where they can remain silent no more. Selling the “Yugadhanawi” and “Swabhadhanawi” electricity plants to USA and surrendering the Nation to a foreign power is not received well among the professionals. The agitation is a direct result of such acts against the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

The President and the Minister of Finance is solely responsible. There are many false arguments forwarded by this government.     “This is a foreign investment ? This is by no means a foreign investment. In fact, this is a drain of local funds towards foreign nations. There were two parts of the total debt of the Ceylon Electricity board to the “Yugadhanawi” plant. 

 One is the debt in USD and the rest is in rupees. The debt portion in USD is to be repaid in full by the end of this year. The remaining debt is only in rupees. So, what really is happening? In reality, the foreign party is not acquiring 40% of the power plant.  It is the remaining outstanding debt of the Ceylon electricity board in rupees that is being acquired by the foreign party. Approximately 225 billion rupees which is equivalent to around one 1100 million USD is to be repaid to the USA company by Ceylon Electricity board,” he said.