by Shamindra Ferdinando

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday thanked Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne and the navy for swiftly regaining control of the Hambantota port last Saturday in the wake of striking workers preventing a Japanese car carrier leaving the port.

The premier said that he had instructed VA Wijegunaratne to protect two foreign ships at the port following consultations with President Maithripala Sirisena and Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi.

UNP leader Wickremesinghe was addressing the media after receiving a comprehensive report on the naval intervention from VA Wijegunaratne at the Temple Trees on Thursday afternoon.

Premier Wickremesinghe said the China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPH) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) would take over the port soon. The media was told the new company would take over operations on January 7.

The premier said the CMPH had assured the government that those who had been currently employed by the Magampura Port Management Company (MPMC) would be recruited to the new company in accordance with existing conditions.

The Premier said that he discussed the situation with Hambantota District MP Chamal Rajapaksa, who is also the elder brother of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The CMPH workers had refused to accept the offer and resorted to trade union action demanding that they be absorbed into the SLPA, PM Wickremesinghe said. He quoted UNP trade union at the Colombo Port as having said that there was no point in recruiting people from Beliatte to the Colombo Port. The Prime Minister said that the Colombo Port had been compelled to bear the losses incurred by the Hambantota port.

The PM said he had called for naval intervention after ship owners sought guarantee that their vessels would be protected.

The navy had explained that the crisis at the port and the failure on the part of Sri Lanka to swiftly tackle the issue could cause irreparable damage to the country, he said.

Acknowledging that the naval intervention had caused problems, Premier pointed out that the navy had been able to secure the release of the vessels.

Wickremesinghe said that China had expressed confidence in developing the harbour in spite of recent problems. The UNP leader also revealed plans to establish significant naval presence at Hambantota and SLAF base at Mattala in accordance with overall plans.

The PM revealed that China had asked for a permanent naval presence at Hambantota in view of the operations they expected to undertake at the Hambantota Port.

The Prime Minister found fault with journalist Roshan Gunasekera for entering the port premises without prior approval and lodging a complaint with Tangalle police instead of the Hambantota police.

Courtesy:The Island