This government attempts to deprive the country of the freedom that was achieved after being a Colony of Europe for 500 years through the Colombo Port City Commission, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne said. He made these observations joining in the Second Reading debate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill which was presented by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament on Wednesday (19).
Wickramaratne said that the sovereignty enjoyed by the people after Independence is to be betrayed by this government that came to power making patriotism a slogan. He said that this government has only billboard patriotism.
He said further that the Supreme Court decided that this Bill has infringed the Constitution at 26 points. He said that the SJB does not oppose the Colombo Port City Project but the Bill. The government is ready to pass the Bill with all amendments proposed by the Supreme Court. He added that it was not enough to pass it with all those Amendments.
MP Wickramaratne said this was a historic Bill. When this is considered we have to think of the socio-economic and political aspect of this issue as well as foreign relationships.
He queried who administers the Port City Commission. He suggested that it should be run by the government. He also said that although the government is keen urgent to pass this Bill, the people are looking forward to the COVID-19 vaccine.