No Chinese military activity at Hambantota Port, assures Sri Lankan envoy

Sri Lankan ambassador to China Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku has assured that Chinese military activity will not be allowed at the Hambantota Port, following concerns expressed by its neighbours.

"I do not know about other countries, but Sri Lanka has very categorically informed the (Chinese) investor that it will not be allowed to be used for any military purposes," Colombo Page quoted Kodituwakku as saying on the sidelines of Sri Lankan Independence Day reception in Beijing.

The envoy also played down protests by locals and labor unions over handing of 80 per cent stakes of the Hambantota port to a Chinese firm, and said that no military activity will be allowed at the port.

Admitting concerns expressed by China over the protests, the Ambassador said: "Despite the opposition from a small group, the government will go ahead."

The government signed a framework agreement in December regarding the port with China Merchant Holdings and according to the agreement, 80 percent of shares of the Port of Hambantota will be given to the Chinese company for USD 1.12 billion. The rest will be held by the Sri Lanka Port Authority.