Minister Wimal Weerawansa assures people that MCC will not be signed under GR's government

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The government's stance with regard to the Millenium Challenge Corporation Compact has drawn social attention recently. Against this backdrop, the committee appointed to review the report had recommended the government to revise certain clauses in the pact. Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed an unseen side of the compact today. Addressing a meeting he said;

"A cabinet paper was put forward in keeping with the recommendations of the committee's interim report. This paper states that the government will receive USD 480 million, without having to pay interest rates or any debt. While pointing out that the country is in an economic crisis, the paper adds that there are minor flaws in the agreement and that those could be rectified upon discussions with the US. What did they say prior to the election? Did they mention anything about discussions? They said it would be torn and burnt. It is said that the government has suspended signing the MCC agreement. That is false. Two additional reports have been signed on July 26th, 2017 and June 18th, 2018. Now the government must scrap both agreements."

He further continued to say;

"In addition to signing the agreements, USD 1 billion has been obtained as well. Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed to tell this to the country so far. Were the agreements signed or not? Ranil Wickremesinghe must also say whether USD 1 billion had been obtained or not. At the same time, the present government must say what is to be done with regard to the agreements and the money that had been obtained. Claiming that the MCC agreement would be amended to remove any unfavourable impact is a ruse."

However UNP MP, Kabir Hashim responded to these claims saying;

"This is a lie. The MCC compact was not signed. However, the present government took a stance to reject the MCC, and to withdraw from signing the agreement. We respect this stance. But now the committee appointed to look into the MCC, has recommended that a public consensus be called, in this regard. There is nothing to ask from the public. The public has already rejected the MCC. Withdrawing from signing this agreement is the best thing to do at this point."

The former Minister of Finance, Mangala Samaraweera says;

"These so-called amendments would just change a few terms and letters. Because there is nothing to amend in the compact. As far as I know, this grant is the second-largest US grant to Sri Lanka, after the US grant received for the Mahaweli development program. Even if the MCC is to be signed now, I would not oppose this move. The MCC is good. The country will benefit from MCC. Some created this fake picture of the USA, only to attack our government."

Meanwhile, Minister Wimal Weerawansa assured the people of his confidence that a government led by Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not sign the MCC and that this stance will be continued for all such agreements. However, he also added that the complete report will be released in a matter of a few weeks. When few ministers of the previous government including Mangala Samaraweera attempted to sign the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact, parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa voiced objection to defeat such efforts. In a similar manner back on the 25th 0f November 2019, Minister Wimal Weerawansa had said that they've already resolved the issue and that they will not sign the MCC agreement under any circumstance.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa, You confidently stated that the MCC will not be signed. That is a commendable statement. The people of this country believe that you will continue to uphold that stance against forces that betray the country.