A senior minister told Lankasara that the decision to lease the Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Port to India has created a divisive situation in the government and the final decision will be taken at the Cabinet meeting next Monday.
The government’s decision to lease 51 per cent of the Eastern Terminal to the Sri Lankan government and 49 per cent to Adani Group in India has drawn opposition from within the government, including the Maha Sangha, trade unions and other mass movements.
Last week, a group of government ministers requested the President to reconsider the decision taken by the government and to discuss it extensively in the Cabinet. Accordingly, the President has stated that a decision should be taken after extensive discussions in this regard next Monday.
The SLFP was the first to oppose the leasing of the Eastern Terminal. Many backbenchers and ministers of the government have also publicly opposed the deal.
He further stated that in order for the government to move forward successfully in the face of this situation, a collective decision should be taken to safeguard the internal peace of the government and a consensus should be reached after discussions on Monday.
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