Eight (08) suspects have been identified in connection with the abduction, assault, and murder of a Chinese national following the recent clash at Colombo Port City, the Police said. 

According to the Police Spokesman, ASP F.U. Wootler, three of the suspects fled the country soon after the incident, while three others remain in Sri Lanka and are evading arrest. Overseas travel bans have been imposed against them. 

Two suspects were arrested at the Katunayake Airport, and legal proceedings have already been initiated. The case has been fixed for August 6, during which an identification parade will be held.

ASP Wootler further noted that the investigation has been assisted by the Chinese Embassy and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). 

He urged the public to remain vigilant when renting houses, hotels, or commercial properties to foreign nationals and to inform their local police stations of any suspicious activity.

ASP Wootler disclosed the information to the media in connection with the incident where the body of a Chinese national reported missing after a clash between two groups at Colombo Port City was discovered in Eheliyagoda on July 23.

The deceased had been abducted along with two others; however, the other two were abandoned with injuries and admitted to hospital. (Newswire)

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The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka says it is closely following the incident involving the death of a Chinese national following a clash between two groups at the Colombo Port City last night. 

The Chinese Embassy has urged the Sri Lankan police to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the facts as soon as possible and safeguard the personal safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens. 

The Embassy further reminded Chinese citizens in Sri Lanka to enhance their safety awareness, and in case of emergency, report to the police promptly and contact the Embassy for assistance.

The message comes after the body of a Chinese national reported missing after a clash between two groups at the Colombo Port City, was found in Eheliyagoda today. 

The Chinese national was abducted alongside two other individuals, but the other two were abandoned with injuries and admitted to hospital, while he was reported missing. 

The Police have launched investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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The body of the Chinese national, who was reported to have been abducted following a clash at the Colombo Port City, has been recovered in Eheliyagoda. 

According to the Police, a clash had occurred between two groups last night during which three Chinese nationals were abducted. 

However, two of the abducted individuals were abandoned with injuries and admitted to hospital, while one individual was reported missing.

The missing Chinese national’s body has been recovered in the Karandana area in Eheliyagoda today (23). 

The Police said the body has been moved to the Avissawella Hospital, while investigations are underway into the incident. (Newswire) 

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Two Chinese nationals are reported injured following a clash between two groups at the Colombo Port City on Wednesday night (22).

According to the Police, the clash had occurred between two groups of Chinese nationals.

During the clash, three Chinese nationals had been abducted after which two had been abandoned, while the other remains missing.

The two abandoned Chinese nationals, who were found to be injured have been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo. 

The cause for the clash is yet to be ascertained, while the Police have launched investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Sampath Bank today opened a new branch at Port City Colombo, expanding its presence within the Special Economic Zone.

The bank’s involvement in Port City Colombo began with the introduction of a Cash Recycler Machine at the Duty Free facility, providing cash deposit and withdrawal services within the development. 

Today’s branch opening marks a further expansion of its banking presence in Port City Colombo.

According to the bank, the new branch will offer banking services and financial solutions for businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and other customers operating within Port City Colombo. 

The branch is expected to facilitate investment activities and support financial transactions in the area.

Port City Colombo is being developed as an international business and investment hub, with financial institutions and other service providers establishing operations to support its growth and development. (Newswire)

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CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., the primary developer of Port City Colombo, has pledged approximately US$300 million in foreign direct investment to advance Phase II of the Port City Colombo project.

Issuing a statement, the company said this marks a significant investment commitment at the start of the New Year and reinforces confidence in Sri Lanka’s long-term growth prospects.

The investment commitment follows the completion of the relevant regulatory processes and enables the next phase of development of Sri Lanka’s largest and most significant urban development initiative. 

The US$300 million infusion underscores CHEC Port City Colombo’s continued confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its commitment to the long-term delivery of the project. 

“This US$300 million Phase II investment is a clear and deliberate statement of our long-term commitment to Sri Lanka. We are not approaching Port City Colombo as a short-term development, but as a generational project aligned with the country’s future growth”, said Mr Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. “Our decision to continue infusing capital via FDI reflects strong confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic direction and in the role Port City Colombo will play in supporting investment, enterprise, and employment in the years ahead.”

The Phase II investment will support the continued development of core infrastructure and utilities within Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka’s first multi-services Special Economic Zone (SEZ). 

These developments are intended to facilitate increased investment activity, support enterprise formation, and generate sustained employment across construction, services, and related sectors, the company further said.

CHEC Port City Colombo’s continued long-term investment reflects its firm commitment to seeing the project through to full completion and represents a long-term commitment to Sri Lanka’s future, strengthening FDI inflows, supporting employment and encouraging broader economic spill overs, whilst positioning Port City Colombo as a strategic platform for globally oriented, high-value services aligned with national development objectives, it added. (Newswire)

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China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. has deployed its full fleet of critical disaster-response machinery to assist emergency repair operations along one of Sri Lanka’s most vital transport corridors, as the country races against time to restore access to devastated communities after Cyclone Ditwah.

Responding to the urgent need for immediate intervention, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. has mobilised 12 heavy-duty machines and a team of skilled personnel to the Central Province to accelerate road clearance, slope stabilisation, and infrastructure recovery. 

The deployment focuses on areas along the A5 route from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, where supply routes are severed, and emergency teams are facing challenges in reaching the worst-affected zones.

The deployed fleet includes excavators, backhoes, loaders, flatbed trucks, and dump trucks, all now operational under the guidance of national disaster management authorities. CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.’s engineering teams will support continuous operations to reopen the A5 corridor as quickly as possible for emergency vehicles, essential supplies, and community access.

This rapid mobilisation follows the company’s Rs. 10 million contribution to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to drive long-term national reconstruction. In addition, Port City Colombo’s project management team, together with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Limited’s regional office, raised and donated a further Rs. 3 million to support relief efforts. 

CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. has also extended specialised technical expertise for emergency bridge repairs, road reconstruction, and engineering assessments to support the Government’s broader recovery efforts.

“At a time when every hour matters, our priority is to move quickly and responsibly. This deployment is not symbolic; it is operational, immediate, and designed to restore access, reopen lifelines, and support communities in distress,” said Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.

The machinery was officially handed over by Xiong Hongfeng to the Sri Lanka Army, in the presence of Russel Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, marking the formal commencement of operations. The handover was facilitated by the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC), the regulatory authority overseeing Port City Colombo.

CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Limited, reiterates its commitment to stand with Sri Lanka not only during its ambitions for future growth, but most importantly, during its hardest hours. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved proposed amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021, aimed at enhancing tax incentives, strengthening regulatory supervision and restructuring institutional mechanisms.

The decision follows Cabinet approval granted at meetings held on 7 July 2025 and 13 October 2025 to proceed with changes designed to further encourage investment while improving oversight and governance within the Colombo Port City framework.

Accordingly, the draft Bill prepared by the Legal Draftsman has received clearance from the Attorney General. The Cabinet has now approved a resolution submitted by the President, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development, to publish the draft amendments in a Government Gazette.

The Bill will subsequently be presented to Parliament for approval and concurrence. (Newswire)

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An accident involving a car was reported at the Colombo Port City area today.

According to reports, the car had veered off the road and overturned.

It is reported that the accident occurred allegedly due to reckless driving. (Newswire/ Image – Accident1st)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the submission to Parliament of regulations issued under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021 for its concurrence.

On July 1, 2025, the Cabinet approved the nomination of the following entities as “Primary Institutions with Strategic Importance” under the Act: IFC Colombo 1 (Pvt.) Ltd., ICC Port City (Pvt.) Ltd., Ceylon Real Estate Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd., and Clothespin Management and Development (Pvt.) Ltd.

The regulations, prepared under section 53 of the Act and published in extraordinary gazette notifications will now be submitted to Parliament. The regulations are as follows:

Regulation published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2445/04 of 14.07.2025

⁠Regulation published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2445/05 of 14.07.2025

Regulation published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2445/02 of 14.07.2025

Regulation published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2445/03 of 14.07.2025

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Sri Lanka is gearing up to rival one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, London’s Big Ben, with the construction of a 15-metre Grand Clock at the Colombo Port City, part of the ambitious US$540 million Clothespin Towers project, it was reported. 

While Big Ben stands tall at 96 metres in London, Sri Lanka’s version is designed not to match its height, but to challenge its symbolic stature and global recognition.

According to the Sunday Times, the Grand Clock will anchor what is poised to become the world’s largest vertical art gallery, with every floor of the twin towers functioning as immersive exhibition spaces. 

The entire structure is expected to be submitted for Guinness World Record recognition as the largest art piece in the world, transforming Colombo into a hub of artistic and architectural innovation.

The project, led by Clothespin Management and Development (Pvt) Ltd., is one of four mega developments at the Colombo Port City.

The project is part of a strategic development initiative, with 25-year tax exemptions granted by the Sri Lankan government, including relief from income tax, VAT, customs duties, and employment regulations. 

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his role as Minister of Finance, issued the gazette notifications this week.

Beyond its record-breaking aspirations, Clothespin Towers will feature luxury residences, a seven-star hotel, high-end retail outlets, and elite office spaces.

The development spans 24,324 square meters and is expected to generate 280 jobs in its first year, positioning Colombo as a rising global hub for art, architecture, and investment. (Newswire)

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A university student has been reported missing while bathing in the seas off the artificial beach at Colombo Port City on Thursday.

According to the Police, the missing student is a 24-year-old resident of Gampaha.

The incident had occurred when students from the Colombo and Moratuwa universities visited the area and went snorkelling.

Thereafter, the Lifeguards at the site had recovered the snorkelling gear of the missing student. 

A joint search operation was launched by the Police and the Navy. The Colombo Harbour Police are conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the extension of the period of the Project Management Unit of the Colombo Port City Development Project until June 2027.

The Project Management Unit of the Colombo Port City Development Project is the main unit that connects the Sri Lankan government and the CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd for project supervision, resolution of issues, and coordination of utility services.

According to the government, the functions that were planned under the second (2nd) stage of this project are expected to be completed at the end of June 2027. 

Therefore, it has been identified that the supervision and coordination activities conducted by the Project Management Unit of the Colombo Port City Development Project should be further continued. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, to extend the operational time of the said Project Management Unit of the Colombo Port City Development Project until 05-06-2027. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara has announced that China will construct a state-of-the-art exhibition and convention centre at the Colombo Port City, aimed at boosting Sri Lanka’s capacity to host international trade summits and large-scale events.  

The new facility, funded entirely by China, will surpass the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in size and functionality.

“This convention centre will position Colombo Port City as a hub for global conferences and exhibitions, strengthening our role in international trade and diplomacy,” said the President.  

President Dissanayake also said that China had pledged a 500 million yuan grant (approximately Rs. 20 billion) to Sri Lanka, during his recent visit.

The non-repayable funds will be utilized to eradicate rural poverty and improve public services, the President added. (Newswire)

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One World Duty Free (ODF), a leading and omnichannel duty-free global travel retail brand headquartered in Singapore, officially opened its latest duty-free store at the Port City Duty Free Mall in Colombo on 01 January 2025. 

This marks a milestone in ODF’s strategic entry into the South Asian market, which expects to offer its premium shopping experience for international travellers as well as local consumers. 

ODF eagerly anticipates the completion of the second phase of its Port City Duty Free store by March 2025. This expansion will fully realise the store’s 12,800 sq. ft. retail footprint, offering an elevated shopping experience. With an extensive selection of premium categories and innovative interactive features, the store is set to redefine travel retail, providing customers with an immersive and engaging environment. 

At the initial stage, the store introduces five core product categories; fragrances, wines and spirits, sunglasses, timepieces, and toys. The perfume isles feature iconic global brands such as Calvin Klein, Burberry, Chloe, Davidoff, Hugo Boss, and Marc Jacobs. The store also features a vast selection of globally renowned wines and spirits. 

There is also a diverse collection of sunglasses from Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Mont Blanc, and Saint Laurent at the duty free store, and the timepieces range from high-quality watches from globally recognised brands, including Seiko and Casio. A captivating range of LEGO sets, from Disney Princess castles to Ferrari and Porsche models, are also available. 

Sri Lankan passport holders, including dual citizens of Sri Lanka, and foreign passport holders with resident visas in Sri Lanka who have returned to Sri Lanka with a valid proof of arrival are eligible for an annual duty-free allowance of $ 2,000. Commencement of the allowance is permitted for four days from the first day of arrival. 

Tourists with valid foreign passports will not be subject to an annual allowance limit and as such are eligible to purchase from the duty free store from the date of arrival. Their purchases can conveniently be collected from the airport pickup counter at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). 

This duty free store at Port City is expected to attract over 2 million visitors annually, demonstrating its position as a premier shopping destination. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission.

President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekera has been appointed as the Chairman of the Commission.

Damien Amal Cabraal, Mohan Ray Abeywardena, Sanjaya Kulatunga, and Dr. Harsha Subasinghe are the remaining members of the Commission. 

The official letters of appointment were handed over to the members by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today (Dec 13). (Newswire)

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A group of workers employed at the Colombo Port City have staged a protest, claiming that their salaries have not been paid over the last nine months.

Holding placards, the workers engaged in a silent protest inside the premises of the Colombo Port City yesterday.

The protesters alleged that the company under which they were employed had not paid them in months.

“They keep saying they will pay us today or tomorrow. They have not paid us in over 08 to 09 months. How do we pay our staff? How do we feed our families? We want an immediate solution to this issue,” the employees told the media. 

The protesters revealed that salaries have not been paid to between 300 to 400 employees of various companies working at the Colombo Port City. (Newswire)

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The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by MP Mano Ganesan has extended its support to the Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader MP Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential Election.

TPA Leader MP Mano Ganesan, along with the party Deputy Leaders MPs P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, and MPs Velukumar and M. Udayakumar has pledged support for MP Premadasa.

The 2024 Presidential polls are scheduled for September 21, while Nominations will be accepted on August 15.

As of this morning, cash deposits have been placed for 18 candidates to contest the upcoming Presidential polls.

According to the National Election Commission, a total of 17,140,354 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the 2024 Presidential Elections. (Newswire)

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State Minister for Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama says 80% of the construction work on the Port City project has been completed, with water supply now underway. 

Providing an update on the Port City project, the State Minister said to start a business there, approval must be obtained under the Business Strategic Importance (BSI) Act.

State Minister Amunugama further said that, thereby, applicants are required to submit their project reports to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission. 

“So far, we have submitted more than twenty BSIs to the Cabinet, with another fifty set to be presented,” he added. 

The State Minister also pointed out that the new Economic Transformation Bill will streamline investment promotion activities through the Economic Commission.

Stating that it will oversee all related decisions, he added that a fast-track approval process for investments is also in place.

Outlining plans for 2024,  State Minister Munugama said investment opportunities have been established across various regions, including Trincomalee, Paranthan, Mankulam, and Kankasanthurai.

He revealed that 35 projects have been planned under these investment opportunities. 

State Minister for Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama made the remarks while addressing a press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre on Wednesday. (Newswire)

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Port City Colombo has announced that two regulations, Offshore Banking and Offshore Banking – Prudent Management and Confidence, have been gazetted for commercial operations within the area of authority of the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone. 

This was made official through the Gazette Notification <2394/66 and 2394/67> dated 26th July 2024. Being yet another key milestone in the project’s dynamic forward momentum this year, the offshore banking regulations underscore Port City Colombo’s readiness for operationalised business activity and emergence as a regional offshore financial centre in the South Asian region.

Commenting on the significance of this landmark gazette notification, Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd said, “We are pleased to announce that offshore banking regulations have been gazetted for commercial entities who are electing to set up operations within Port City Colombo. Being a core set of regulations that will form the underlying foundation for Port City Colombo’s progressive business-friendly environment, this milestone will further strengthen global investor confidence and promote the increase of FDI inflows into the Sri Lankan economy.’ 

This pioneering regulatory framework will reinforce the fact that Port City Colombo is economically ring-fenced against domestic macroeconomic challenges, enabling prospective investors to directly transact in designated foreign currencies within business conditions. Similarly, to other globally competitive economies including Singapore and Dubai, investors will experience the opportunity to gain higher trading freedom, and full capital and profit repatriation, with attractive tax exemption incentives. Further, these regulations underscore to prospective investors that the funds they invest in Port City Colombo will be safeguarded, augmenting the growth of Sri Lanka as a regional Foreign Direct Investment hotspot. 

The following commercial entities could make an application to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission for a licence to engage in offshore banking business in and from the Area of Authority of the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone: 

1) A company incorporated in Sri Lanka and licensed under the Banking Act as a licensed commercial bank; 

2) A company incorporated outside Sri Lanka and registered in Sri Lanka as an offshore company under the provisions of Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007, whilst being licensed under the Banking Act; and 

3) A company incorporated outside Sri Lanka and registered in Sri Lanka as an offshore company, and licensed to engage in a banking business under any other law in another country, but not licensed under the Banking Act in Sri Lanka. 

The regulations will further enable commercial entities to engage in permitted offshore banking activities, which include transactions in any designated foreign currency with any other offshore unit or non-resident; the acceptance of savings, time and demand deposits from any Authorised Person or a non-resident in any designated foreign currency; borrow in any sum in a designated foreign currency from any non-resident; and any other transactions as authorised by the Colombo Port Economic Commission with the concurrence of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. 

Port City Colombo says that with the gazetted offshore banking regulations, it aims to guide Sri Lanka towards the journey of becoming a significant regional offshore economy and commercial powerhouse in South Asia. (Newswire)

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