The Sri Lankan government may delay the signing of the Hambantota port city deal with China Merchant Port Holdings depending on a parliamentary debate tomorrow, Ceylon Today reported on Thursday.
The deal was due to be signed on Saturday.
The reports of a possible delay came only days after the cabinet approved the signing of the deal, which had been subject to protests by locals and the Buddhist clergy who argued the government was selling land to China.
"President Maithripala Sirisena told Cabinet on Tuesday that those interested in the Agreement might be given the opportunity to express their views and to amend the agreement if there are constructive proposals. He also insisted that not an inch of Sri Lanka would be given to another country," the Co-Cabinet spokesperson, Rajitha Senaratne was quoted by Ceylon Today as saying.
"If there are good proposals that we must consider, we can't sign the agreement on Saturday. We need to get the best deal for the country," he added.