Sri Lanka's former president has commended current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to China, after an announcement that a project that began under his tenure were set to continue.
Mahinda Rajapaksa told reporters in Angunukolapelassa that though the current government had attempted to blame the state of the island's economy on his regime's projects with China, Mr Wickremesinghe had now looked to the country for support.
"Not only did they speak against China funded projects but they also halted work on them once they came to power,” said Mr Rajapaksa. “If they continued with the envelopment projects, the country could have had more extensive expressway network today".
During his visit to Beijing, Mr Wickremesinghe agreed to restart the delayed Port City project in Colombo, for which the Chinese had demanded compensation. He also accepted a 500 million Yuan donation, as Sri Lanka’s struggling economy looks towards the IMF once more for a bailout package.
Mahinda Rajapaksa told reporters in Angunukolapelassa that though the current government had attempted to blame the state of the island's economy on his regime's projects with China, Mr Wickremesinghe had now looked to the country for support.
"Not only did they speak against China funded projects but they also halted work on them once they came to power,” said Mr Rajapaksa. “If they continued with the envelopment projects, the country could have had more extensive expressway network today".
During his visit to Beijing, Mr Wickremesinghe agreed to restart the delayed Port City project in Colombo, for which the Chinese had demanded compensation. He also accepted a 500 million Yuan donation, as Sri Lanka’s struggling economy looks towards the IMF once more for a bailout package.