Port city filing continues to prevent erosion

18 March 2015 12:16 pm

The work on the Port City Project had been suspended but the filling of reclaimed lands is continuing on the request of the Chinese contractor to prevent sea erosion during the monsoon, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said today.


He told journalist that a final decision on the project would be taken based on the report of the committee investigating the details of the controversial project.


“There are a few vital issues to be addressed such as the environment impact and the feasibility of the project. Unfortunately the previous government has looked into the impact from this project and we cannot proceed till we address those issues. The contractor -- Chinese Communication Construction Company (CCCC) is aware of our concern and the reason for suspension of the work,” the minister said.


He said the project was launched just on the whims of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was reported to have said, ‘I want an island here’ without checking the Environment Impact Assessment or Feasibility.


“We will revisit the entire project, redraw the plans if necessary and attend to all issues raised by many groups before restarting the construction work on the full agreement of the CCCC,” he said.


Commenting on the Mattala International Airport (MIA) the minister said his ministry would be in trouble if the government failed to find an investor for the MIA because some Rs.250 million is needed monthly for its maintenance. The Ports, shipping and Aviation Ministry expects to offer its facilities for use by a local or foreign investor. However, the airport will not be closed.


“We are considering the possibility of merging the national carrier SriLankan and the loss-making budget airline Mihin Lanka, but a final decision will be taken after the final report of the three-member committee headed by J.C Weliamuna is received on March 31,” the minister said.


Nearly 150 out of the 400 employed at the MIA have been transferred to the Bandaranaike International Airport to cut down on the losses at MIA. (Sandun A Jayasekera)