Govt to allow Port City project if environmental assessment clean

June 18, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s controversial port city project will be given a nod if there are no issues with the environmental report, cabinet spokesman said today. “There had been an environmental report but the committee say it is not enough,” Rajitha Senarathne said. “After a new report, the committee will decide whether to allow the project or not.

” It has decided that the Central Environment Authority will be instructed to start an environmental impact assessment with the assistance of relevant institutions. On completion of the above study, the government will reconsider the recommencing activities of the The decision was taken on the recommendations by the apex ministerial committee on the China Port City project and a cabinet subcommittee on economic affairs, he said. The cabinet of Ministers also have given approval to the proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe to transfer the project from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to the Urban Development Authority.

The 1.4 billion US dollar Chinese 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.

However the government allowed, the Chinese construction company to build the 3.25 kilometer long break water of the port city, an offshore barrier, in order to prevent damage from heavy rains and sea erosion to the project.