The government has neither drafted any agreement nor any committee report has been released on the Hambantota Harbour and proposed industrial zone, President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.He said the government will not sign agreements with any foreign country or institution that would be detrimental to Sri Lanka’s heritage and dignity. The President said the government will ensure the highest level of transparency when bilateral agreements are signed with foreign nations and institutions.
He added that trhe draft of such agreements would be referred to the Attorney General, Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament for approval before they are ratified by the government. President Sirisena was addressing the 50th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation yesterday.
“The people of this country placed immense confidence in me by electing me to the post of Presidency and I will leave no room for the breach of public confidence,” he said. He said certain elements were striving to overthrow the government when it was going forward with more dedication and commitment on a new programme in 2017. “Nobody is allowed to overthrow this government illegally and in contravention of the Constitution till 2020 without a people’s mandate,” he said. “It is the responsibility of those who love this country to allow the government to carry out their activities freely irrespective of the political party they believe,” he said. He stressed that there is no room for power crazy elements to achieve their petty political gains again.
The President requested the people to refrain from propagating false information and unite to rebuild the country through constructive criticism.
President Sirisena opened the administrative complex and refurbished studios of the Corporation. A new postage stamp was also issued to mark the SLBC’s 50th anniversary. Ven. Ittepane Dhammalankara Thera, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera, Media and Parliamentary Reforms Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka ,Deputy Minister Karunarathna Paranavithana and media secretary Nimal Bopage were present.
