News
Clashes erupt as Govt. launches southern development projects
View(s):From Sandun Jayawardana in Hambantota
The launch of the Government’s ambitious development projects in the Hambantota district yesterday was marred by violent clashes between rival groups and police, leaving at least 22 people injured. The disturbances took place as the Government was marking the inauguration of the “Sri Lanka-China Logistics and Industrial Zone’ within the ‘Ruhunu Economic Development Area.’
A heavy security presence was in place around the ceremony venue and beyond. However, several hundred protesters managed to break through the numerous security barricades and attempted to force their way to the
Mirijjawila Board of Investment (BOI) Zone venue where the ceremony was being held. The demonstrators, including Buddhist monks, attempted to stage a sit-in on the main road close to the venue. As police tried to clear them, a violent clash arose between protestors and groups of people who were inside the venue. Both sides threw rocks and other missiles at each other. From inside the venue, some people made their way to the road. Police and Special Task Force (STF) personnel had difficulty in keeping the rival groups apart.
While a court order had been issued on Friday barring protests in the area, those who took part were of the opinion that it did not apply to them as the court order was specific to certain individuals. Several politicians were seen among the protestors as well as the group against them. Even as chaos erupted outside, the ceremony began under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Various Ministers took the stage to make their speeches even as police moved in to disperse the protestors with tear gas and water cannon. The Sunday Times team saw at least three injured people, including an STF officer.
Clashes between police and protestors continued even after the ceremony ended. Protestors set tyres on fire and placed makeshift barricades along the Hambantota main road towards Ambalantota town. Sporadic clashes between riot police and protestors continued late into last afternoon, with police and STF personnel moving in gradually to push protestors away from the town. A number of vehicles parked along the side of the road next to the venue were damaged after being struck by rocks.
Addressing the gathering, China’s Ambassador Yi Xianliang said he believed the industrial zone would be the most important project for the Sri Lankan Government, the country and the people of Hambantota. He said China hoped to invest about US$ 5 billion in the Hambantota industrial zone in the next 3-5 years “if everything is ok.” This would lead to the creation of an estimated 100,000 jobs, he added.
Mr. Yi conceded that there were people in Sri Lanka who were concerned about adverse impacts, particularly environmental impacts, from Chinese projects. He requested the managers of Chinese projects in Sri Lanka to strictly follow the country’s environmental laws and respect international commitments.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the Government had no option but to enter into an economic agreement with the Chinese regarding the Hambantota Port and the industrial zone as Sri Lanka faced the crisis of a colossal debt burden. Otherwise both the baby and the mother were in danger of dying, he quipped.
The only way to save the project was to industrialize the area but the Government lacked the funds needed to open some 1500-2500 factories needed to industrialise the region.
He insisted that while the Chinese had estimated that they would need some 15,000 acres for the industrial zone, it did not mean that the Government would set aside all the lands for China. It would be open for other investors also.