Political analysts stated that the recently passed Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill will threaten and affect the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan state, adding that, in different and subtle ways, the control of the port of Colombo is being attempted through a separate legal framework, despite the port city’s ability to boost and advance the Sri Lankan economy. They also pointed out the need to create economic zones to benefit the people of Sri Lanka, not to provide tax havens and economic benefits to a select few.
In an interview with A24 Deepthi Kumara Gunarathne – Critic said
“In short, the historical background of the construction of the Port city is that in 2009 when 30 year-war was to be brought to an end, United States of America, Europe and India were instigating the Sri Lankan Government (GoSL) that this war is a Political Warfare and a program has to be facilitated to bring this war to an end politically, but, China intervened and stressed that this is not a political issue, but a territorial terrorist issue. China aided Sri Lanka in many ways, materially and many other ways to win the war. Once we won the war, we are inclined to give the benefits of the war to China. Sri Lanka entered the China Orienteered development Center during the Post-war era. Unlike other European countries, China financed Sri Lanka without any ethics. We have come down that pathway for nearly ten long years. Port City is the results of that prominence given to China Post-war era.”
Yajish Tennakoon – Independent analyst said
“Job opportunities which are to be given in the Port City could be segregated in different stages. The first being the infrastructure, leasing stage, and Land reclamation stage, whereby landfilling and establishing the land and entering into legal contracts. Inclusive of all these, lawyers will be getting an opportunity to earn foreign investments through this. Sri Lankan construction companies will be attaining financial gains. In the initial stage, considering all the above there will be around approximately 6400 job opportunities will be provided, and by the end of the project, there will be unimaginable job opportunities for Sri Lankan citizens. Eventually, the second stage consists of – the construction stage, construction of buildings and waterways.”
Chapa Bandara – Senior Journalist / Political Activist said
“Colombo Port city is not something which belongs to us, and it is constructed under the Chinese ‘One Belt & One Road’ alias Belt & Road Initiative Sri Lanka project. It begins with China’s invested Hambantota Port and the Chinese Terminal of the Colombo Port following the Colombo Port City. Port City – Colombo is built on the foundation of the Indo-Pacific and ‘One Belt One Road Initiative in building a maritime commercial hub, which is going to be an unrealized political myth. It cannot be realized due to the global situation, and especially due to the currently ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic situation. It is insane to assume that Global Business tycoons will come from around the world to invest in the Colombo Port City in such a situation. As per the historic lesson, even otherwise it is not possible, and it will not be oriented to one regional hub. However, it should be maintained in such a way, it does not deem to be a threat to Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity. Sri Lanka is a sovereign state as per the 1978 constitution, where it is specifically stressed. Somehow, in various scrupulous ways, the Colombo Port City is being tried to control by a separate legal framework, which is a threat to the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. We could describe it in various sugar-coated ways, but as per the Passed Bill (Port City Economic Commission Bill) concerning the Colombo Port City, it is evident that already the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan state is at stake.”
Source : A24
