A week ahead of the scheduled arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Sri Lankan Cabinet decided to “temporarily and immediately” suspend the controversial Chinese-funded port city project in Colombo.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Cabinet spokesperson and Health Minister Rajitha Seneratne said work would be suspended for two weeks, as an interim report pointed to pending approvals and environmental clearances.
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Contradictory views The decision comes at a time when Sri Lankan government representatives have been expressing contradictory views on the $1.34-billion project funded by a Chinese firm.
Prior to presidential polls, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe had announced that the project would be scrapped should his alliance come to power, citing environmental concerns.
However, the new government, a month after it was formed — Maithripala Sirisena took over as President and appointed Mr. Wickramasinghe Prime Minister — announced that it would go ahead with the project, since the necessary environmental clearances had been obtained.
Soon after, the Prime Minister said no decision had been taken on proceeding with project and that the government would study its feasibility.
Sirisena’s Beijing visit Top sources in Colombo said Thursday’s decision was keeping in mind Mr. Modi’s visit to the island nation from March 12-14. It was important for Colombo to strike a delicate balance, a top official observed, as President Sirisena was scheduled to visit Beijing end of March.
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