The Colombo Port City fantasy

This idea of a Port City was originated by China after the completion of the South Colombo Port Expansion scheme. The government was carried away when China Engineering produced an attractive beautiful computer designed city with high-rise buildings, tree-lined avenues, walkways, canals, marinas and parks and they said they could reclaim 270 hectares worth 1.8 billion US dollars from the sea for this plan of Colombo Port City. The terms were that they be given forty percent of this artificial island. Perhaps, the commissions were attractive and the government agreed.The reclaimed area looks like a miniature Sahara now without topsoil for vegetation, no fresh water, no electricity, no sanitary and waste disposal. Will these amenities be brought from abroad as Sri Lanka has no means of providing them? What country, except China, would be interested in this artificial island? The chances are that China will develop their 40% of the artificial island and buy the remaining 60% so that it can have a ninety nine year lease for the whole area as a Chinese colony. Our stupid kings didn’t mind being colonised and our country is in such a bankrupt state, our present government shouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.

D. L. Sirimanne Kohuwela