No renegotiation of agreement for Colombo Port City project

 The Government said the controversial and politically sensitive Colombo Port City agreement signed between Sri Lanka and China will not be renegotiated, despite its claims made prior to the election, The Sunday Morning learnt.

Govt to review the agreement to see whether there were any clauses that were inconsistent with the Constitution

Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said there was no discussion to renegotiate the Port City agreement. Nevertheless, prior to the election the Government said it will review the agreement to see whether there were any clauses that were inconsistent with the Constitution, while clauses that affect the national security of the country would also be reviewed.

Minister Rambukwella’s statement was confirmed by State Minister Nalaka Godahewa, who also said no such discussion to renegotiate the agreement was going on at present. In the meantime, Colombo Port City Project Director Bimal Prabath also told The Sunday Morning that work on the project was going on as usual and as per the already signed agreements.

“There is no such renegotiation being carried out at present as to my knowledge,” he said. Last December, the Cabinet approved a proposal presented by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa giving Prime Minister’s Secretary Gamini Senarath the authority to appoint a committee to evaluate the feasibility of the Colombo International Financial City (CIFC).

An eight-member committee to evaluate the legal implications

An eight-member committee was appointed to evaluate the legal implications – one member each to consider the economic aspect and urban development scope, study the engineering proposals, consider the provincial regulatory and administrative impact of CIFC, as well as analyse the financial and commercial department, along with a professional to look into the possible sociological impact of the project.

Eight-member committee final report to proceed with the project

The eight-member committee handed over its final report consisting of recommendations to Prime Minister Rajapaksa. Recommendations have been made in the report to proceed with the project in an effective manner after studying the programmes it had already implemented.