Sri Lanka Ignored Key Projects Due to Politics, Says Namal Rajapaksa

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said that the island nation ignored certain development projects based on political reasons. 

Namal Rajapaksa is the National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and was speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

His remarks came in the wake of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Sri Lanka, where Modi pledged support to Colombo in dealing with the Trump tariffs.

Rajapaksa highlighted the potential benefits of enhanced cooperation between Sri Lanka and India, emphasizing the importance of regional partnerships. "With Prime Minister Modi's visit to Sri Lanka, there are many areas where Sri Lanka and India can collaborate, especially in regional cooperation. It's in the best interest of each country to build strong regional ties," Rajapaksa stated.

He noted that while global orders have often taken precedence, focusing on regional partners like India, which is now one of the largest and fastest-growing economies, could yield significant advantages. "Countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and others in the region can benefit greatly if we pursue the right path and establish effective contracts," he added.

When asked about the right path for Sri Lanka, given the recent economic and political challenges, Rajapaksa stressed the need for timely implementation of necessary projects.

"We must execute what needs to be done at the right time. Delays in projects like Sampur and Uma Oya due to political reasons led to an energy crisis that later turned into a financial crisis in 2022," he explained.

Rajapaksa called for regional collaboration, particularly among Indian Ocean countries, to build new trade partnerships. 

"The recent developments in Washington will affect Sri Lanka's apparel exports and maritime industry. We need to work together with countries like India to form new alliances and partnerships within the region," he said.