Srilankan Official says Modi had ‘Pressured’ on power project deal for Adani Group, then refutes statement
The Hindu reported on Sunday that a top Sri Lankan official reversed his remarks two days after claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “pressured” President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give a power project to the Adani Group.
The Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman MMC Ferdinando informed Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises on Friday that Rajapaksa had told him that Modi was insistent on a 500-megawatt wind power plant project being allocated to the Adani Group, according to The Wire.
“I completely reject approval to grant this project to any specific person or business,” Rajapaksa wrote in a tweet on Saturday in response to a remark made by the CEB Chairman during a COPE committee hearing over the award of a wind power project in Mannar. “I am confident that responsible communication will ensue in this area.”
According to Sri Lankan news website Ada Derana, the president’s administration then issued a statement “vehemently refuting” Ferdinando’s claims.
“Sri Lanka is now experiencing a severe power deficit, and the President wishes to speed the implementation of mega power projects as soon as feasible,” the statement said. “However, no undue influence would be utilized in awarding such projects.” “While project proposals for large-scale renewable energy projects will be limited, special attention will be made to the selection of institutions for the projects, which will be carried out strictly in accordance with the government of Sri Lanka’s transparent and accountable system.”
Ferdinando withdrew his words on Saturday evening, claiming that he made a false statement because he became “emotional,” according to Sri Lankan news outlet The Morning.
“I was compelled without constraint to utter the word ‘India agamathi bala kara bawa kiwwa’ [stressed by the Prime Minister of India] due to unanticipated pressure and emotions,” Ferdinando added. “As a result, I would like to withdraw the relevant comment and register my unequivocal regret.”
