Colombo/New Delhi, May 7 (UNI) Amid criticism by netizens over the Sri Lankan government purchasing a water canon truck from India to quell protests, the Indian High Commission in Colombo has clarified that “no water canon vehicles have been supplied by India under any of the credit lines extended by India to Sri Lanka”.
The water cannon truck used by the security forces to quell protests was brought into the country through the Hambantota Port.
The vehicle, brought for the use of the Sri Lankan Special Task Force, was later taken away by the STF personnel from the Hambantota port under special security.
It is reported that this water cannon truck has been imported from Vijay Fire Vehicles and Pumps Ltd. in India.
Netizens have heavily criticized the government for spending such money to repress the people of the country, especially at a time when the country is struggling through a dollar crisis and foreign debt.
The water tanker had been transported via the Southern Expressway and had entered the Hambantota highway entrance on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission issued a statement saying reports that the water canon vehicle was purchased under the credit line extended by the Indian government are “factually incorrect”.
The complete statement is as follows:
“We have seen reports that a water canon vehicle was imported by Government of Sri Lanka under a credit line extended by Government of India. These reports are factually incorrect.
“No water canon vehicles have been supplied by India under any of the credit lines extended by India to Sri Lanka.
“Credit line of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka is intended to help the people of Sri Lanka with availability of food, medicines and other essential items required by the people of Sri Lanka in the current situation.
“Such incorrect reports don’t make any constructive contribution to the cooperation and efforts undertaken to address the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Sri Lanka,” it said.
The vehicle, brought for the use of the Sri Lankan Special Task Force, was later taken away by the STF personnel from the Hambantota port under special security.
It is reported that this water cannon truck has been imported from Vijay Fire Vehicles and Pumps Ltd. in India.
Netizens have heavily criticized the government for spending such money to repress the people of the country, especially at a time when the country is struggling through a dollar crisis and foreign debt.
The water tanker had been transported via the Southern Expressway and had entered the Hambantota highway entrance on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission issued a statement saying reports that the water canon vehicle was purchased under the credit line extended by the Indian government are “factually incorrect”.
The complete statement is as follows:
“We have seen reports that a water canon vehicle was imported by Government of Sri Lanka under a credit line extended by Government of India. These reports are factually incorrect.
“No water canon vehicles have been supplied by India under any of the credit lines extended by India to Sri Lanka.
“Credit line of USD 1 billion to Sri Lanka is intended to help the people of Sri Lanka with availability of food, medicines and other essential items required by the people of Sri Lanka in the current situation.
“Such incorrect reports don’t make any constructive contribution to the cooperation and efforts undertaken to address the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Sri Lanka,” it said.
