Sri Lankan opposition mounts anti-China campaign over Colombo Port City bill
As the Sri Lankan government prepares to ram its Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill through parliament, several opposition parties have launched a campaign claiming that the proposed measure will pave the way for a “Chinese colony” in Sri Lanka.
The main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and the United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), as well as the Sri Lanka Bar Association and several other organisations and individuals, have filed petitions in the Supreme Court against the bill.
The Colombo Port City project [Credit: China Communications Construction Company]
House watchdog committees paint a bleak picture as SLPP seeks passage of Colombo Port City Bill island.lk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from island.lk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sri Lanka minister says land in China-backed Port City in Colombo belongs to govt ANI | Updated: Apr 19, 2021 06:18 IST
Colombo [Sri Lanka], April 19 (ANI): Amid the controversy surrounding the China-backed Port City in Colombo, Sri Lanka Minister of Justice Ali Sabry has said the government owns 100 per cent of the land and the project has been initiated to bring investment in the special financial zone.
Addressing a media briefing on Sunday, Minister Sabry said the total area of the investment zone is 269 hectares and 91 hectares for public facilities and cannot be given to the project company, The Colombo Page reported. Out of the remaining land of the financial zone, 116 hectares or 43 per cent will be given to the project company which initiated the project in 2013 and spent USD 1.4 billion to develop the Port City.
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Highlights
Sri Lanka unveiled draft legislation for a Colombo Port City Commission which allows for sweeping tax breaks, tax-free salaries and be an offshore financial centre
Earlier this month US Ambassador had warned the country of unintended consequences of `nefarious actors` who may try to misuse a Colombo Port City`s easy business rules
Colombo: Amid the controversy surrounding the China-backed Port City in Colombo, Sri Lanka Minister of Justice Ali Sabry has said the government owns 100 percent of the land and the project has been initiated to bring investment in the special financial zone.
Addressing a media briefing on Sunday (April 18), Minister Sabry said the total area of the investment zone is 269 hectares and 91 hectares for public facilities and cannot be given to the project company, The Colombo Page reported.
China-backed Colombo Port City belongs to govt southeastasiapost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from southeastasiapost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.