brand logo

SJB wants Adani energy pacts given to Parliament 

17 Mar 2022

  • Ajith P. Perera claims energy security betrayed  
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition Parliamentarian Ajith P. Perera urged the Government to present to Parliament the energy agreements that were signed with India’s Adani Group about renewable energy projects in Sri Lanka. “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving us money to buy medicines. But, at the same time, he is stealing our renewable energy sector’s most valuable lands and resources for his friend – Adani. These agreements need to be presented to the Parliament during its next session,” urged Perera while speaking to the media. He stressed that Sri Lanka should not betray its energy security merely because India is granting Sri Lanka loans. Last Friday (11), the Government of Sri Lanka  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Adani Group which would allow it to develop two renewable energy projects in Mannar and Pooneryn within one year in order to generate a combined capacity of 500 megawatts (MW). Furthermore, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has, this month, signed a joint venture with India’s National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. to develop a 50 MW solar power park in Sampur in Trincomalee. Fuel shortages due to the foreign exchange crisis have heavily impacted the Sri Lankan public, leaving them in lengthy fuel lines for several hours per day. Yesterday (17), long queues were seen for both petrol and diesel, with some fuel pumping stations remaining closed, after having run out of stocks. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is currently in India to discuss terms of economic co-operation between the two states and a $ 1 billion line of credit was signed this week between India and Sri Lanka. In February 2022, the Government of Sri Lanka signed a $ 500 million line of credit agreement with the Export-Import Bank of India, to aid in the fuel shortages currently faced by the country. In January 2022, India provided Sri Lanka with a $ 400 million currency swap while deferring a settlement of $ 500 million which was due to the Asian Clearing Union.


More News..