South Korean Ambassador Myeon Lee and Australian High Commissioner Paul Steven have formally lodged complaints with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, alleging that former ministers demanded extortion money from South Korean and Australian investors during previous administrations. These actions reportedly compelled investors to abandon their projects in Sri Lanka, redirecting investments to countries like India and Vietnam.
In their recent meeting with Minister Herath, the ambassadors expressed their concerns over the negative impact of such practices on Sri Lanka’s investment climate. The South Korean ambassador highlighted a specific case where a South Korean investor had secured an open tender to transport fuel via a pipeline from Muthurajawela to Katunayake Airport. Despite winning the tender, the project could not proceed due to unexplained delays in granting the necessary approvals.
These revelations underscore the need for reforms to restore investor confidence and promote a more transparent and business-friendly environment in Sri Lanka.
