China has offered 2 bn yuan as a grant for him to invest in a project of his choice.
President Sirisena has decided to utilize the Chinese outright gift (Rs 48 bn) to launch a countrywide housing programme.
Addressing a gathering at Polonnaruwa on Saturday (July 21) at the launch of the construction of a specialized 200-bed hospital to treat kidney patients’ courtesy China, President Sirisena revealed how the Chinese leader Xi Jinping offered 2 bn Yuan for a project of his choice.
A smiling President said that Colombo-based Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan about had visited him at his official residence where the offer was made, about two weeks back, during talks to finalize the launch of the hospital project.
President Sirisena quoted Ambassador Xueyuan as having told him that China wanted a project proposal within one week. The President said that he decided to utilize the entire grant to build houses in all administrative districts.
The President said that the project proposal would be handed over to China this week. He said that Rs 1 mn would be spent on each house.
The latest Chinese grant has come in the wake of an allegation that China funded former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 2015 re-election bid.
Parliament last week debated the accusations pertaining to the Chinese funding made to the tune of USD 7.6 mn while the Joint Opposition called for a thorough probe into the US funding in the run-up to 2015 presidential poll. and after. (SF)
Courtesy: island.lk
