Unlawful use of Port City sand: CHEC insists it has done no wrong

FSP stands by its original allegations

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Ltd., has said the reclaimed sand from Port City hasn’t been used for any other project.

CHEC Colombo Office said so in response to The Island query whether CHEC, as promised, had initiated a thorough internal investigation into allegations made by the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government has allowed the CHEC to unlawfully obtain sand from the Port City for the construction of the East and Jaya Container Terminals in the Colombo Port.

CHEC sent us the following statement: “After conducting a thorough and meticulous investigation, we have confirmed that the reclaimed sand from the Port City has been exclusively utilised for the construction of the Port City project.

There has been no instance of Port City sand being diverted for use in other projects, including the construction of the port project. We strictly adhere to the laws and regulations of Sri Lanka, as well as contractual agreements, ensuring the legality of our construction endeavours.

A concrete mixing plant for the Port City project has been established within the port area, making it a standard procedure to transport sand from the Port City to this mixing plant. The concrete produced using Port City sand is solely dedicated to the construction of the Port City project and meets both contractual agreements and technical specifications.

The ongoing construction of the Terminals at the Port of Colombo only utilises the projects’ own reclaimed sand as well as sand procured from legal external sources. There has been no utilisation of the reclaimed sand from the Port City Colombo project for the construction works of these terminals at the Port of Colombo. Moreover, prior to use, all sand undergoes sampling and laboratory testing to ensure compliance with the contractual agreements and technical specifications of the construction project at the Port of Colombo.”

However, FSP spokesperson Pubudu Jayagoda said that they stood by their original claims.

Jayagoda reiterated that on a monthly basis approximately 4,000 cubes of sand, worth Rs 80 mn, were transported illegally with the government looking the other way.

The breakaway JVP faction said that the government owed an explanation regarding the suitability of sea sand for such large-scale construction and whether the Chinese met the required standards as regards concrete work.

Jayagoda also asked whether taxes were paid for the massive loads of sea sand procured by the Chinese. The former JVPer alleged the way CHEC conducted its operations here indicated that it didn’t respect Sri Lanka’s law.

Jayagoda claimed that following the disclosure made by them the CHEC and SLPA suspended the illegal operation (SF)