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COLOMBO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the parliament on Monday that the Chinese investment in southern Sri Lanka is crucial for the country's development.
Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is thankful to Chinese leaders for agreeing to invest in the southern Hambantota area.
China funded the construction of a port and an airport in Hambantota and over the weekend the Chinese government launched an economic development zone in the southern area.
The prime minister told the parliament that apart from China, Sri Lanka was negotiating with other countries to invest in the new industrial zone.
He said negotiations were underway with the U.S. and Arab companies to construct oil refineries in the area.
According to the prime minister, an agreement with China on the development zone would be presented to the parliament for approval.
The opposition has raised concerns over the move to allocate land for the industrial zone and has called for a debate in the parliament.
Government Minister Lakshman Kiriella said once the final agreements are reached the parliament will be able to debate it.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said if there is an issue with Hambantota the government is prepared to shift the industrial zone to other part of the country.
