Sri Lanka approves recommencement of China-funded mega port city

COLOMBO - The Sri Lankan cabinet has granted approval for a multi billion dollar China funded Port City project to recommence work in the capital after it was suspended by the government last March.

Minister of International Trade Malik Samarawickrema told Xinhua that the government would next week send an official letter to the Chinese investors funding the project to begin work.

"They can go ahead and start work as all our matters pertaining to the project have been resolved. Next week we will officially inform the Chinese company," Samarawickrema said.

The project is being funded by China Communication Construction Company Limited (CCCC).

The $1.4 billion project which will be the first of its kind in South Asia began construction adjacent to the Galle Face Green and near the Colombo Harbour in September 2014 under the previous government. However, it was suspended by the new government of President Maithripala Sirisena in March last year, six months after it began construction, The new government said that the project needed to be reviewed.

The Port City is expected to boost the local economy by generating millions of dollars, It will create over 10,000 jobs.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the island nation would have a "unique financial and business district" in Colombo when the Port City resumes work.

The project includes a marina and yacht club, a central boulevard, a sea view apartment complex and a five-star hotel, shopping and entertainment center, office space, a mini golf course, and many other modern facilities.

The Port City is also vital in the government's megapolis development program which was launched this year and is set to transform the capital and its suburbs in the coming years.