Sri Lanka will consider Chinese request to continue Port City work while probe continues
The government will consider a request by China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), developers of the Colombo Port City project, to continue its work so that no part of the construction gets washed away.
In the wake of the oncoming monsoons the CHECH has stated that there was a possibility the construction carried out could be washed away and as a result had asked the government on how to work together to resolve this issue, Port and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said at a media briefing in Colombo on Wednesday.
He pointed out that they have in this regard submitted this request to the Attorney General for consideration.
It was pointed out that while they would await the investigations carried out on the environmental impact of this project they would consider the possibility of either continuing the project or halting it permanently.
Minister Ranatunga said the two governments of China and Sri Lanka were not signatories to this project and pointed out that this would be a key topic of discussion during President Maithripala Sirisena’s visit to China next week.
The minister pointed out that they would not be considering continuing it if it hampers the environment adding that should they go ahead there would be a number of areas to work out.
Commenting on the air space issue over the port city project, he noted it could be owned by the Chinese authorities but however pointed out that it was “not yet owned by them.”
Asked about port development activities in line with transhipment volumes, the minister noted they would be looking at increasing transhipment volumes to the Hambantota port and not much for Colombo.
In Hambantota, the port would be increased in capacity with improvements made to include facilities like additional space for parking of vehicles.
At the Colombo port the minister said new investors were looking at extending a further 1000 metres capacity and would be completing “another terminal.”
Responding to questions on overstaffing, Minister Ranatunga explained he was not in agreement with sending these workers home as it would affect their livelihoods.
In the meantime, equipment that was halted from being purchased due to the high costs involved comprising gantry cranes among other things would be purchased from China but at a reduced cost, he said at around US$50 million from the previous quote of US$60 million.