Colombo Port City project gets underway from China with love
Sri Lanka has finalised a deal with a Chinese company to build a port city on 230 hectares (568 acres) of reclaimed land on the sea adjacent to the Colombo South harbour and Colombo’s historic Galle Face Green seafront, officials said.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has signed the agreement with China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) and construction will begin by September, a senior official of SLPA said adding that they plan to complete the land reclamation within 39 months.
The US$15 billion Colombo Port city is to be built by reclaiming the sea water front sheltered by the new breakwater at an investment of $1.43 billion, he added.
“The Chinese company CCCC will invest in reclaiming the land and infrastructure of the port city,” he revealed.
This company will be given around 50 hectare of reclaimed land on a 99-year lease for its investment, he revealed.
The Sunday Times was the first to report on the plan to reclaim the sea to build a port city in a deal with Chinese company in its issue on June 26, 2011 but the proposal was soon after suspended on a directive from the top and a Standing Cabinet Appointed Review Committee was asked to review the whole process before giving approval to the project.
The SLPA will oversee the reclamation project which will be divided into three segments — business, residential and leisure, officials said.
A mini-golf course, a Formula One race track, a small yacht marina and areas for water sports will be created.
The feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment conducted by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Moratuwa University have been completed.
Port Authority officials said the Lanka Hydraulic Institute (LHI) has provided hydrographic and modelling services.
Construction work will be carried out under the supervision of the Urban Development Authority, the Colombo Municipality, relevant ministries and the Archaeological Department.
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