Chinese Ambassador Yi Xianling has said he is afraid the protests in Hambantota have deterred Chinese investors from investing in the proposed investment zone.

“I have persuaded the CEOs of 10 large companies to invest between 3-5 billion USD in the proposed Hambantota industrial zone,” he said. “ But how can I continue to persuade them if the protests continue?”

The Chinese Ambassador said that while he was hopeful that cooperation between China and Sri Lanka would be fruitful, he was afraid the protests would have already deterred Chinese investors.

“When they ask me for answers, I tell them to ask the Sri Lanka government,” he said.

The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of preparing an investment zone to support and complement the operations of the harbor. He assured those present, private lands would not be utilised for the project.

The Chinese Ambassador was addressing an event organised by the Colombo University Alumni Association on the topic, ‘One Belt One Road’.