As China moves forward to take over Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, the alleged deployment of the Chinese army corps of workers in Hambantota continues to cause furor and concern.
According to True Ceylon, several Chinese men were recently seen dredging an old tank in Hambantota district, dressed in an army uniform in Chinese army clothing. Under Sri Lankan law, wearing or even wearing an army uniform when not serving in the army is a punishable offence.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, a war veteran and former army commander and member of parliament, bractly alleged that the Chinese army’s corps of workers was operating at the site. “Many members of the existing government have ties to wealthy businessmen in China, so the decisions being made is clear,” he said.
In recent events, Chinese stationed in Sri Lanka have been criticized for the activities in which they participated after the successful resumption of the allocation of the port city of Colombo on a 99-year lease with the harsh force of the government in their favor.
As for the corps of Chinese workers noticed dredging a tank, they were dressed in Chinese army uniforms, which is contrary to the law. As usual, the Chinese Embassy rejected the allegations and indicated that it is not unusual to wear such clothing.
Even in Pakistan, China has deployed many “companies” to protect its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and it is no surprise to Sri Lankans that Beijing deploys its army as civilians to protest against “its” port in Hambantota and Colombo, according to True Ceylon.
The opposition party had questioned the presence of foreigners dressed in garments similar to Chinese army uniforms. There was abundant evidence that the uniform belonged to the Chinese army.
In addition, dredging had begun without permission received from the Sri Lanka Department of Archaeology. The practice called for a halt as soon as the photographs were transmitted, because the country is sensitive to the preservation of ancient ruins.
Cabinet spokeswoman Keheliya Rambukwella downplayed considerations about a possible Chinese army presence in Sri Lanka and said on June 29 that the outfits worn by Chinese staff were similar to the overalls worn by Sri Lankan staff at local car stores.
At the cabinet’s weekly press convention on Tuesday, extra Minister Rambukwella stated that while the Archaeology Act has been violated, there is legislation that Sri Lanka can stay to. he told reporters.
Meanwhile, True Ceylon reported that other people had seen a Chinese-run sea cucumber farm in Kilinochchi, which had been in operation since 2017 under the previous government, according to Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda.
It is also assumed that no permit has been issued to operate such a farm in the north of the country. Lately the origin of the farm is being investigated.
Prior to those developments, there was a massive outcry against China promoting the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in Bangladesh last month at USD 10 consistent with jab, while USD 15 for Sri Lanka. Several local politicians have also attacked China on social media and demanded relief in the value of the vaccine.
China’s development of Sri Lanka’s large-scale infrastructure projects has rekindled fears that the country will soon become a Chinese colony.
This comes after China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) last month won a new allocation for an increased 17km road in Colombo.
Amid complaints from opposition parties, Sri Lanka has submitted a moot bill for a Colombo Port City Commission seeking sweeping tax breaks, tax-exempt wages and an overseas currency hub.
The $1. 4 billion Colombo Port City Project is expected to be the largest progression of the personal sector in Sri Lanka. There have been considerations on Beijing to build its footprint in the country through contentious infrastructure projects.
This comes at a time when Sri Lanka’s tax revenues plummeted in 2020, raising considerations about debt and fiscal trajectory, credit cuts and the government’s ability to provide an essential audience to the population, while managing loss-making state-owned enterprises.
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(With the exception of the title, this story has not been edited through NDTV and is published from a syndicated broadcast. )
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