Cardinal warns of Chinese colony emerging in Sri Lanka
Cardinal Ranjith joins growing calls to postpone legislation over the Chinese-built Colombo Port City
Updated: May 20, 2021 11:28 AM GMT
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A rendering of the US$1.4 billion Colombo Port City project.
Religious leaders and rights activists have urged the Sri Lankan government to postpone legislation to set up a powerful economic commission in a Chinese-built port city.
The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill aims to establish a commission to grant licenses, registrations, authorizations and other approvals to operate businesses.
The US$1.4 billion Port City project is a special financial zone being built on land reclaimed from the sea.
Sri Lankan majority for Port City Commission dailynews.lk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailynews.lk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
SJB protests against Port City Bill
SJB protests against Port City Bill
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COLOMBO (News 1st); The Samagi Jana Balavegaya staged a silent protest opposite Parliament on Thursday (20) morning against the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill.
Protestors were seen setting fire to the bill, calling it a threat to the country’s sovereignty.
Sri Lanka Police visiting the location informed the protestors that they cannot engage in such activities as it is against the existing regulations impose to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
SJB MPs alleged the government is attempting to secure the passage of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill using the prevailing pandemic situation.
Port City Economic Commission Bill PASSED with amendments
Port City Economic Commission Bill PASSED with amendments
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COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill was passed in Parliament with amendments on Thursday (20).
Vote on the third reading of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill
In Favour: 149
Power-up: Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Parliament in Colombo .
| Photo Credit:
Eranga Jayawardena
The development comes after the Supreme Court suggested certain amendments, following over a dozen petition from opposing parties which said it “directly affected” Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
The Sri Lankan Parliament on Thursday passed a controversial Bill on laws governing the China-backed Colombo Port city, with a majority of 149 legislators – in the 225-member House – voting in its favour.
The development comes after the Supreme Court suggested certain amendments, following over a dozen petitions challenging the Bill that political opposition and civil society groups said “directly affected” Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.