The government emphasizes that there is no need to immediately sign the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Agreement, which has already been made available to the public.
Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranwaka said there is no intention to sign the MCC agreement without consulting the public as well as the Parliament and the agreement will be implemented in a transparent process.
Minister Ranawaka elaborated on this at a press conference held to enlighten the public on New Democratic Front candidate Sajith Premadasa’s ‘Social Revolution’ election manifesto today.
“We are a democratic government. So this particular agreement is now open to the public. Nothing is hidden. Not like the ACSA agreement signed by the Rajapaksa government in 2007 hidden from the cabinet, hidden from the parliament. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the US Ambassador at the time signed the ACSA. We will not sign like that.”
Minister Ranawaka said the agreement, approved by the cabinet has now been made public and the next step will be to table in the parliament.
“Anyone can go to court on this. We sign it after a vigorous debate on whether it is in accordance with the constitution or the law of the country. The government has no intention of signing in a hurry. But let’s be clear. People should know that. Do not be fooled by the blatant false propaganda about the agreement.”
The Minister explained that the agreement addresses two most important issues essential for the people of the country – transport & road network and creation of land deeds.
“MCC agreement is a grant the government receives to improve these two needs. If there are problems with the implementation of the agreement, we can negotiate according to the law of the country,” said Champika Ranawaka.
