a senior Sri Lanka official Claimed before the Parliament of Lanka panel that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lobbied President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for award a power project to the Al-Adani group, but retracted the statement the next day as the controversy escalated. Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa “vigorously” denied the claim.
The retracted claim relates to 500MW of renewable energy project in Northern Mannar region of the island nation. Chairman of Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), MMC Ferdinando, appears before Parliament panel in Colombo Friday, he claimed during his speech with Rajapaksa, the president told him that Modi had applied pressure on for him award The project Adani group.
Ferdinando, who He was addressing the committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) can be heard saying that Rajapaksa “told me he was under pressure from Modi”. The senior official He told the committee that the president had asked him to give The project for the Indian company.
he is also He told the Sri Lanka Committee official says evening wanted come back to get it project; Backing off, Gotabaya denies that CEB never made unsolicited proposals in The pastuntil on a government-to me-government Basis. It is alleged that the discussion between Rajapaksa and Ferdinando took place place When summoned by the President of the Republic after a meeting chaired by.
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excellentBut the day after his appearance before panelFerdinando withdrew his testimony, claiming that he had become “emotional” because of some of The questions asked of him seemed to hint at his iniquity.
Meanwhile, Rajapaksa issued a swift denial, first on Twitter where he said: About award of wind power project in Manar, I flatly refuse permission to award this is project for any particular person or entity. I trust responsible Telecommunications in This connection will follow. “
Later, his office He issued a longer statement, “strongly denying” the effect on anyone in Grant project. The statement said Rajapaksa “has categorically stated that at no time has he given authorization for this award wind power project in Manar to any person or institution.”
The president vehemently denied this statement made by the president of Ceylon Electricity Council in the Parliamentary Committee on public institutions in this connection.”
Statement also He said: “Sri Lanka currently in Acute shortage of power The president wants to speed up implementation of Mega power As soon as possible possible. However, no undue influence will be used in Grant such projects. Project proposals for Large-scale renewable energy projects are limited, but special Attention will be paid to selection of Institutions for Projects to be implemented out strictly in According with Transparency and accountability system by government of Sri Lanka.”
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controversy comes just After days from Sri Lanka changed Rules to get rid of with Competitive Bidding for energy projects. Opposition Samaji Gana Balwijaya party alleged in Parliament in transit of The modification that was the change made with Intention of Settlement award of Al-Manar Contract for Adani Group.
Nalin Bandara, Member of Parliament for Bank of San Jamaica, noted concerns about canceling competitive bidding with “to make way” for projects like Adani group. else party Member, Harsha de Silva, propose an amendment to ensure That projects exceeding 10 megawatts go through a competitive bidding process, and he said that canceling competitive bidding will open the door to corruption.
CEB federations are also Angry and threatened a nationwide strike. But they called him off After a presidential decision was issued declaring electricity a basic service.
“Arrangements are underway made quickly pace to me gift The most abundant wind energy belt in Country” for the Adani Group, the CEB . Engineers Syndicate said in a permit.
and demanded that government “Stop the delivery of The country’s wind and solar energy sources for the Adani Group…without following the competitive bidding process.”
There was no immediate response from India or the Adani group regarding the controversy.
Adani Group is increasing its presence in Sri Lanka over The past a few years.
else yearI got a contract to develop and run Strategically important western container terminal of colombo port, with 51 percent stake.
Last October, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani visited Sri Lanka and held talks with President Rajapaksa for investment opportunities. He visited the Northern Province, which includes the coastal districts of Manar, Jaffna and Kilinochchi. there already Some wind farms in The region.
Six months after the visit, the Adani group signed a memorandum of understanding of set up Two renewable energy projects in Manar district and in Bunren, in Klinochchi neighborhood.
The terms of Agreement signed between Sri Lanka government Al-Adani group on March 12, isn’t it public. It’s time for Indians government She started helping her crisis-hit Southern neighbor.
Sri Lankan newspaper reported on the signing. shortage of Transparency raised concerns even at the time.
In the Sri Lankan Parliament last In the week, Energy and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijeskara said the amendment bill was an excellent opportunity to remove a legal hurdle that was in place Since 2013, according to the Sunday Times.
The country can no longer count on Coal and diesel plants. a lot of work currently in The process actually hinders renewable energy projects and the department of Officials regularly try use Minister Wijescara claimed that the existing laws to prevent the implementation of such projects.
Sri Lanka also sees this as an opportunity to trade Electricity with India. in an interview with Indian Express earlier this yearSri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, Melinda Moragoda, said the location of Mannar is ideal for this is. “Potential for Wind power 5000 MW in Mannar. If that can be exploited…that is something both sides are looking at. Then we can consider exporting electricity to India. And we can import electricity from India because [undersea] cables are not a big deal to put. Now we one of Little countries with Who do not have energy relationships – in The north you have with “Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal,” Moragoda said.
With input from Nirupama Subramanian
.
