By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
Contrary to the new Sri Lankan government’s pre-election posturing, plans for Chinese projects in Sri Lanka remain on track.
The election of Sri Lanka’s new president, Maithripala Sirisena, last month was thought by most analysts to be the harbinger of a cooler between Sri Lanka and China. President Sirisena’s predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, was known to favor Chinese investment and influence over Indian or Western influence. Some of the most controversial decisions by Rajapaksa’s government were its decisions to allow Chinese investment in several ports, such as the port project in the southern town of Hambantota. Another port project initiated by the Rajapaksa government with Chinese investment was the $1.4 billion - Colombo Port City project.
The Colombo Port City project was heavily criticized by both India and Sri Lanka’s then-opposition. India expressed concern at Chinese ownership of land near the main commercial port in Colombo, which India uses as a trans-shipment port. India was also worried that Sri Lanka allowed a Chinese warship and submarine to dock at Colombo last year. Sri Lanka’s current Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was a member of the opposition under Rajapaksa, said before last month’s election that if his party came to power, they would cancel the Colombo Port City deal with China. Wickremesinghe cited environmental concerns for this viewpoint. However, many other Sri Lankan opposition politicians, including the current president, expressed concerns that his country was being sold to China for the personal benefit of the Rajapaksa family.
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