Hydrogen is emerging as preferred choice globally to cut emissions; Sri Lanka is turning into a Chinese colony

Hydrogen is emerging as preferred choice globally to cut emissions. Several countries and companies are allocating budgets for it.

 

– Recently, India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said the country will spend $200 million over the next five to seven years to promote hydrogen use. Also, India has asked its PSU oil and gas companies to set up seven hydrogen pilot plants by the end of this financial year. – German Ministry of Transport said that Germany aims to become the world’s leader in hydrogen technologies. Accordingly, Germany has budgeted $10 billion for 62 large-scale hydrogen projects. – At the same time, Russia has invited Saudi Arabia to partner in hydrogen energy production. By 2030, Russia intends to increase its share in the global hydrogen market by 20% and also up the annual exports to 33.4 million tons by 2050. With $700 billion market on offer, experts have even warned of 'Hydrogen Wars'.

Sri Lanka is turning into a Chinese colony

 

Sri Lankan parliament has passed the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill. It turns the China-funded port city into a de facto Chinese sovereign territory. It has thus resulted in the opposition parties, and even the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka raise concerns. At the same time, civil society groups have said that the bill directly affects national sovereignty. In addition to it, environmental groups and fisherfolk are also opposing the move citing the adverse impact the project will have on nature and traditional livelihoods.

The 1.4 billion port city in the national capital was launched in the year 2014 when Mahinda Rajapaksa was the President. Now, he is parroting China as he told the Parliament that this project would create 200,000 jobs in the first five years and potentially attract foreign direct investments up to $15 billion. However, looking at the past, no Chinese project has benefitted the host country. Today, this development comes as his brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is President while Mahinda himself is the Prime Minister.

Sri Lanka is turning into a Chinese colony as the Rajapaksa brothers are auctioning national interests for their personal vested interests.