The High Commission of Sri Lanka in London in collaboration with the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPEC) and the CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd ceremoniously unveiled a detailed replica of the Colombo Port City on 12 July 2024, showcasing the ambitious and transformative project that is set to redefine Sri Lanka's economic landscape. The event was held at the “Gateway to Sri Lanka Lounge” at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London and graced by a distinguished array of guests, underscoring the global significance and potential of the Port City particularly among the investors in the UK as well as the Republic of Ireland.
The chief guest for the ceremony was former Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, UK and an eminent British businessman and philanthropist Lord Swraj Paul. Among the other notable attendees were Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan, Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Former British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sir Dominick Chilcott, and Assistant Managing Director of the CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd Eric Ou.
The ceremony commenced with the unveiling of the Replica by chief guest Lord Swraj Paul followed by an insightful keynote address by High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in the UK and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland Rohitha Bogollagama, who emphasized the investment opportunities presented by the Colombo Port City, and its global significance, being placed at a strategic location. In his address, High Commissioner Bogollagama said “It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome everyone on this historical occasion of unveiling the replica of the biggest single largest investment that is taking place in Sri Lanka being the Port City in Colombo”. High Commissioner Bogollagama while referring that Sri Lanka is moving ahead under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and, thanking Chairman of the CPEC and the BOI Sri Lanka Dinesh Weerakkody, further said that “it will be remembered this replica that will be the showcase of our efforts towards back in Sri Lanka”.
Lord Swraj Paul also addressed the gathering saying “Sri Lanka is a great place, and I went to Sri Lanka for the first time in 1957 where I started a shipping line in Kolkata to trade coal to Sri Lanka, to the port in Colombo” and he greatly appreciated both the President Wickremesinghe and High Commissioner Bogollagama.
Mr. Eric Ou delivered a comprehensive speech while giving information on the current status of the Colombo Port City providing attendees with an in-depth understanding of the Port City's infrastructure and future prospects. He stated that the duty free shop at the Port City will be operated by this August and also said that “our initial investment in the Port City is $ 1.4 billion and by now we have sold 6 plots and we also within this year there are almost 100 authorized persons have been registered”. He also thanked High Commissioner Bogollagama and the High Commission for granting the opportunity to display the Port City Replica at the High Commission.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Minister (Commercial) of the High Commission of Sri Lanka Somasena Mahadiulwewa. The Colombo Port City, a visionary project developed in collaboration with CHEC, is set to become a leading business hub in South Asia, attracting global enterprises and fostering economic ties between Sri Lanka and the world.