Even as the Sri Lankan government is inching towards an agreement to revive the Colombo Port City Project, its critics have renewed their campaign against the project, funded by a Chinese company.
The issue has again come to the fore in the wake of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s current visit to China. The project promoter, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt.) Ltd, is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, an entity listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Herman Kumara, convener of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement and one of the co-conveners of the People’s Movement Against the Port City, said the Sri Lankan government was going ahead without considering various factors such as “adverse impact” that would be caused to marine ecology, environment and fishermen’s livelihood.
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The Movement had conducted a demonstration against the project early this week. Mr. Kumara added that no consultations were held with those who opposed it. He said “We will not give up our opposition. We will carry on the campaign further. “
An official says that during the latest review of the project from environmental angle, the project promoter gave a detailed response to various issues which the authorities found satisfactory. Ravi Karuanayake, Finance Minister, linked the revival of the project to compliance with all the norms and regulations.