brand logo

WCT development: Japan undecided on stance 

14 Mar 2021

  • Proposed agreement similar to CICT 

  • SLPA consults AG’s Department  

  Despite the preparations made by Sri Lanka and India’s Adani Group to jointly develop the West Container Terminal (WCT) at the Colombo Port, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said last week that the Japanese Government is yet to decide its policy stance on the announcement made by Sri Lanka.  Responding to a query made by The Sunday Morning, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo said: “The Government of Japan has not yet decided its policy line on the announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka.”  A few weeks ago, the Government announced that it had officially informed Japan and India on jointly developing the WCT, and to nominate investors for this purpose, but that only India has nominated an investor. The latter claim was however denied by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, which stated that it had not nominated Adani, but that the Government of Sri Lanka had directly held discussions with the said Indian investor.  Against such a backdrop, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake said that the SLPA has completed formulating the agreement, and had taken advice from the Attorney General (AG) over certain clauses as well.   He told The Sunday Morning that they had concluded discussions with the AG's Department to get the clearance for certain clauses.   “The terms and conditions of the new WCT agreement would be similar to the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) agreement, as the CICT was considered a guideline when formulating the WCT terms and conditions,” he said, adding that the final decision in this regard would be taken soon.   


More News..