Tamil political parties strongly oppose Chinese company setting up renewable energy projects in the Jaffna Islands
The Tamil National Parties in Sri Lanka have jointly decided to vehemently oppose the government’s decision to install Chinese-invested hybrid renewable energy systems in the islands of Nainativu, Delft/ Neduntheevu, and Analaitivu in Jaffna. It has been decided to hold meetings at the diplomatic level in this regard and to carry out various protests.
The meeting between the Tamil National Parties was held in Jaffna today morning.
Mavai Senathirasa and CVK Sivagnanam of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Parliamentarian Justice C.V. Wigneswaran of Tamil Makkal Koottanii, P. Gajadeepan and Dharshan of PLOTE, Former Member of Parliament and EPRLF leader Suresh Premachandran, N. Sirikantha and MK Sivajilingam of Tamil National Party, Vindan Kanakaratnam of TELO, P. Ingaranesan of Tamil National Green Movement and representatives of Eeala Thamilar Suyaatchchi Kalagam and Crusaders for Democracy were present at the meeting.
It was also decided to hold meetings with foreign embassies ahead of the forthcoming UN Human Rights Council session in March. An all-party committee was set up to handle activities related to UN Human Rights Council.
A committee comprising R. Sampanthan or one of his representatives, CV,Wigneswaran, D. Siddarthan, Suresh Premachandran, MK Sivajilingam and Ananthy was formed.
Suresh Premachandran and CVK Sivagnanam were appointed to speak to the media on behalf of the joint parties and to handle matters.
On January 18, the Cabinet approved a proposal to involve Sinosoar-Etechwin Joint Venture in China to install ‘hybrid renewable energy systems’ in Nainativu, Delft or Neduntheevu, and Analaitivu, located in the Palk Bay.
The southern bloc of India is less than 50 km from these three islands. China’s presence in these areas is believed to pose a major threat to India’s security. Wigneswaran had recently commented that handing over the islands to a Chinese company was a serious act.
