Mar 15, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government officially informed the Chinese investors of resuming the construction of the Port City project in capital Colombo, yesterday  one year after its suspension, a foreign news agency reported. According to China’s state media, Xinhua Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports and Shipping, in an official letter to the CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd, said that the company could resume the construction of the project immediately.



"At its meeting held on March 9, 2016, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the project to resume immediately," the letter said.

"Accordingly the suspension effected by my letter dated March 6, 2015, is hereby withdrawn with effect from today (Monday)." Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the country plans to have a ‘unique financial and business district’ in Colombo when the sea reclamation project by a Chinese firm is resumed. The much talked project was under water for a long period of time as the new administration questioned project approvals by the last regime.

The builders of Sri Lanka’s Chinese-funded port city project told LBO in an earlier interview they were awaiting a positive reply from the government after the suspension of work citing environment concerns by the administration which came in to power in January. The 1.4 billion US dollar Port City is to be constructed between the Southern edge of the new Colombo South Port and the Fort Lighthouse.



The total area of sea to be reclaimed is 252 hectares. The Port City is expected to boost the local economy by generating millions of dollars upon its completion and generate over 80,000 jobs.





The project includes a marina and yacht club, a central boulevard, a sea view apartment complex and a five-star hotel, shopping and entertainment center, office space, a mini golf course, and many other modern facilities. Produced below is the statement issued by the CHEC Port City Colombo in lieu of the Government approval on resuming work for Colombo Port City.



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