Lanka govt to clear China-funded Colombo port project

The controversial China-funded USD 1.4 billion Colombo Port City project may soon be given clearance to go ahead, the Sri Lankan government said today.
"On a proposal made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to instruct the central environmental authority to start a complete environmental impact assessment with the assistance of relevant institutions and on the completion of its studies to reconsider the recommencing of the above project was approved by the cabinet of ministers," government spokesman and minister Rajitha Senaratne said.
The port city project funded by China Communications Construction Company was suspended by the new government of President Maithripala Sirisena in January after concerns were raised over some aspects of the project.

While in Opposition, Sirisena's coalition had branded the project as one involving corruption blamed on the administration of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Having ordered its suspension in February the government appointed a fresh committee to study the possibility of continuing the project which is expected to attract USD 20-25 billion in foreign investment once completed.
The decision to suspend the project raised Chinese concerns.