Sri Lanka is now a Chinese colony: Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

Speaking to the privately owned News First network yesterday at a ceremony marking the death anniversary of her late husband Vijaya Kumaratunga, the former president said the parties that opposed the Indian deal are keeping mum about every national asset allegedly being handed over to China.

Kumaratunga was likely referring to the now-scrapped plan to hand over a minority stake in the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port to a firm in India. The proposed deal drew heavy opposition from trade unions, left-leaning political parties, members of the clergy and sections of the government itself, reports the news portal.

“If you look at their bank accounts – those in trade unions and others – how they become millionaires overnight – you have to wonder,” said Kumaratunge.

“Today, for all intents and purposes, we are a colony of China,” she added.

She said people must change in their outlook and look for leaders of a different calibre.