Amidst heated nationwide debates on the matter, US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz believes that India should have a stake in the Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ECT). “Obviously, with India being the beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s port facilities through all trans-shipment activities that take place, along with the unloading and shipments to smaller Indian ports, having an Indian company with a stake here, I would think, is essential to Sri Lanka’s maritime future,” she told reporters yesterday (26). She expressed these views in response to a question posed during a virtual meeting held with a group of journalists. Much controversy has arisen over the ECT with the trade unions attached to the Port opposing the Government’s decision to give a 49% stake of it to parties outside of Sri Lanka. The relationship between US and India is expected to be strengthened further under new US President Joe Biden.

Source: The Nation January 26, 2021 23:01 UTC