Several large Indian companies have responded positively to invest in Sri Lanka, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an interview. The
Adani Group of India has brought in $500 million, which we need at the moment,” the PM said.
“It is a good sign that investors are coming in. Sri Lanka’s potential for renewable energy, wind power, is big. I don’t think all the big companies coming in here will be able to fully exploit it. The advantage of Mannar is that you can also supply to India.”
Last time I was in India I spoke to Ratan Tata, unfortunately they went into litigation later on. I’ve spoken to Narayana Murthy [Infosys] and a lot of Indians have spoken to me from time to time.”
Wickremesinghe said that Adani was no stranger to Sri Lanka.
“They came here for the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port, linked up with John Keells Holdings [Sri Lankan conglomerate] and are now doing the West Container Terminal (WCT). They are experienced in this game. Similarly, having the experience of dealing with the BOI [Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment] and others on the West terminal.”
He also said that the power project by Adani was recommended by the Cabinet and a committee of secretaries and also the BOI . “Hence I don’t think there has been any issue. But certainly, there was no intervention by the Indian Prime Minister of his office as far as I am concerned.”
“We are only purchasing power from Adani. Anyone with land in Mannar can come and supply power, like anyone with land in Texas with oil can supply oil. We have the same situation. No one should actually shout. One of our biggest successes is [Singaporean company] Prima, which came in unsolicited. It doesn’t matter if it is unsolicited or solicited; it is a matter for the Government of Sri Lanka. (The Hindu)
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