Arguments by the Government that the Colombo Port City Tripartite Agreement is ‘highly confidential’ and cannot be publicly released have been dismissed by the Right to Information Commission which, this Tuesday (March 3rd), ordered the Ministry of Urban Development to release the Agreement to the Commission.
The Agreement was released to the Commission earlier in the week to evaluate the basis on which this claim of ‘confidentiality’ is made.
The Agreement, between the Chinese Government backed company, CHEC and the Government of Sri Lanka has been boasted to lead to China’s ‘jewel in the sea’ of the Indian Ocean, a brand new city development and a so-called ‘world class city.’ However, environmentalists have staged protests saying that the project has been undertaken bypassing environmental approvals and that the aim is to set up a ‘rich zone’ where those who have money and privilege are favoured. Colombo’s urban poor and the fisher communities of the West Coast are projected to suffer most from environmental harm and livelihood destruction. Impact on fish breeding areas, coastal erosion and damage to coral reeefs.
Already the famed golden beaches of Negombo are disappearing they say, while pollution in Colombo will be increased hundred-fold due to poor environmental controls over the Port City operation. Massive amounts of sand and ‘black rock’ have been mined from the country’s natural reserves to use for this project. Also, there is no clarity on whether a separate legal regime will operate within the Port City under the control of the Chinese Government.
While questions have been raised within the past several years, during the Rajapaksa term when the idea of a Chinese backed Colombo Port City was first mooted and when it was continued during the Wickremesinghe Government, the process remained closed off to the public. Even though cases were filed in court, the Agreement itself was not made publicly available unlike in many other instances of major developments. This is the first time that the Agreement was released to an outside agency, apart from ‘those in the know.’ That followed the Commission taking a stern position with the Ministry and citing provisions in the RTI Act to order reasons for non-disclosure to be clearly and strictly justified.
It is reported that the RTI Commission will examine the Colombo Port City Tripartite Agreement in the following weeks.
Pandu de Silva / March 8, 2020
Great going, RTIC! Stand or fall on the huge public impact that has been made so far.
Shows how principled positions can help Citizen Silva if there is guttyness combined with true expertise. What a refreshing contrast of solid work. These twitter self marketers calling themselves experts can learn a lot!
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Anonymous / March 9, 2020
Colombo Telegraph, please publish the agreement on this website for the citizens of Sri Lanka as soon as it is available.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 9, 2020
Colombo port city is divided into three areas. 20 hectares originally sold in perpetuity to China, but due to public outcry renegotiated to a 99 year lease, 170 hectares of sea frontage given on a 45 year lease to China and 210 hectares belonging to Sri Lanka. 20 hectares of land will have security sensitive equipment and will be under Chinese laws where even SL president cannot enter and SL aircraft cannot overfly without Chinese government permission. Other 170 hectares of land will have limited access to SL government officials or security forces only with prior notification and not for any foreign personnel even if SL government permits them access, similar to the arrangement in Hambantota port. No SL fisherman will be allowed to beach their boats and no Sri Lankan could use the beach for bathing or strolls. Only the 210 hectares of hinterland will be accessible to Srilankans. India wanted Mattala airport to spy on Chinese activity in Hambantotoa and Colombo east terminal to spy on Chinese activity in Colombo port city, but both have been refused by Mahinda. If India stomachs this insult due to its inability to force a deal with Sri Lanka, it is well and good for the future, but if India decides to confront Sri Lanka and show them where to get off, then another parippu drop is in the offing.
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shankar / March 9, 2020
dr.gnana
it seems like from what you say the port city is an unofficial defence agreeement between china and sri lanka.It was inevitable when a small island of 21 million people are 17 nautical miles away from a country of 1400 million,just like taiwan with 23 million up against 1450 million in china needs US for its security.
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Eagle Eye / March 9, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,
Eventually, dropping Parippu did not prevent Sri Lankan Armed Forces sending your megalomaniac ‘Sun God’ to hell. The guy who ordered to drop Parippu and his mother are also rotting in hell with Piripakaran for crimes committed against Native Sinhalayo.
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Rajash / March 10, 2020
what Parippu drop.
wait for corona virus drop!
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lal / March 10, 2020
Yes, timely reminder by Rajash. India has plenty of dirty diseases at hand; typhoid. cholera, polio, smallpox. All that has been dropped into Sri Lanka by the kallathonis from the squalid Tamil State of theirs.
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Native Vedda / March 15, 2020
lal loo
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Its you again.
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“Yes, timely reminder by Rajash. India has plenty of dirty diseases at hand; typhoid. cholera, polio, smallpox. “
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Of course isn’t it why the public racist Anagarika Homeless Dharmapala wrote “The Daily Code for the Laity”?
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How about Hindian Modi’s charitable donation of nearly $550 million just thrown into Gota/Mahinda’s begging bowls? It’s alright then.
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Native Vedda / March 15, 2020
Rajash
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Have you stocked enough toilet rolls to cover anticipated most difficult pace of UK living?
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Sad you don’t have access to Jackfruit leaves and large back garden.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 10, 2020
Stupid Mahindapala, when India dropped parippu bags, Sri Lankan security forces chiefs told JR that they cannot confront Indian army if they invade and JR wisely surrendered, “inviting” Indian army into Sri Lanka territory. Tamils welcomed Indian forces with garlands. It is due to selfishness and stupidity of Prabaharan that he met his fate. Who in his sane mind will get together with Sri Lanka and fight India instead of getting together with India and hammering Sri Lanka and reaping the benefits. Instead of him getting killed and Tamils living in dignity and safety, Prabaharan preferred him to live and Tamils to suffer. This time if history repeats, there will be no such fools to foil the party for India. I am sure all your cardboard weerayas will go under the bed. Did you hear that UK is going to enforce sanctions on those who committed crimes on Tamils.
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Eagle Eye / March 10, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,
“It is due to selfishness and stupidity of Prabaharan that he met his fate.”
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Good that you admitted Prabhakaran is a selfish and stupid person. It is a pity that thousands of Daliths had to sacrifice their lives because of a selfish and stupid leader. Sinhalayo also had such a guy named Rohana Wijeweera. Because of selfishness and stupidity of Wijeweera, about 60,000 Sinhala youths lost their lives.
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Try to convince those who still consider Prabhakaran as ‘Thalaivar’ that he is a selfish stupid person.
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bhumiputhra bandaara / March 12, 2020
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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M Spencer / March 13, 2020
Should be of interest in understanding the mayhem surrounding human and other matters.
Copied from my FB page.
Humans are hardwired to dismiss facts that don’t fit their worldview. February 1, 2020 12.00am AEDT
“Denialist phenomena are many and varied, but the story behind them is, ultimately, quite simple. Human cognition is inseparable from the unconscious emotional responses that go with it. Under the right conditions, universal human traits like in-group favouritism, existential anxiety and a desire for stability and control combine into a toxic, system-justifying identity politics.” Please check out the following URL:-
https://theconversation.com/humans-are-hardwired-to-dismiss-facts-that-dont-fit-their-worldview-127168?fbclid=IwAR3fizo2UueOXvq_P0_DgUD9Xl4-VQ_AmV7VJD_5uKUOW6JjTe62Ht-m8nw
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rama / March 9, 2020
It will not be a parripu drop but a “sambar” bath. Modi is the shrewdest politician in the world. By now he must be gathering all the ingredients to have his sizzling sambar and Iddli to be poured on the heads of the Rajapakses . The chutney will be supplied by the USA and UK. Watch the fun unfolding soon
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Eagle Eye / March 9, 2020
Rama,
When Sinhalayo impose sanctions against ‘Para’ Demalu, they might need Iddili and Sambar from Modi. Sinhalayo can survive without Demalu but Demalu cannot survive without Sinhalayo. Sinhalayo showed what they can do to ‘Para’ Muslims after the terrorist attack. Demalu should take note of that before they play with fire!
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shankar / March 10, 2020
eagle
“Sinhalayo can survive without Demalu but Demalu cannot survive without Sinhalayo.”
sri lankan tamils combined with tamilnadu tamils can survive without sinhalayo.Be careful that you don’t push us towards tamilnadu.
can the sinhalayo survive without the combined might of sri lankan and tamilnadu tamils.History has shown that without the pandya’s sinhalese would not have survived.take for example when the java prince chandrabanu invaded nagadeepa to get at the Lord bhuddha’s tooth it was the pandya’s who finally killed him when he tried to invade the south over and over again.
Take it to another level and see whether sinhalayo can survive without 1300 million hindus.Unlike vijaya you can’t paddle the sri lankan boat out of the reach of india.Whether you like it or not you are stuck 17 nautical miles away from 1300 million hindus.15 mln bhuddhists aganst 1300 mln hindus.pooh.
ps.hope you passed your ord level maths you modaya.
“Sinhalayo showed what they can do to ‘Para’ Muslims after the terrorist attack. “
what did the sinhalese show against the muslims after the attack.Only before the attack we saw the brave sinhalese attacking houses and businesses of muslims with little terrified muslim children holding on their mothers.Some of these children due to those mental scars may one day become terrorists.
After the terrorist attack the sinhalese warriors have gone all quiet suddenly and there are no more attacks on muslim mothers and their children.
sinhalese and the economy has still not recovered from that shock even after one year.Now god has sent another present for you and your tourism.
the wrath of god will be upon you until you follow Lord Bhuddha’s teachings.
1.kindness 2.integrity.3.humility.4.generosity.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / March 10, 2020
Stupid Mahindapala, there was an economic sanction imposed on northern province first in January 1986 which was lifted in June 1987 when IPKF arrived and reimposed in May 1990 when IPKF left, which was in force till end of war in May 2009. during this embargo, there electricity was cut off. there was no petrol and kerosene was in short supply. Batteries were not allowed on the pretext that they will be used for land mines. Food and medicines to north were severely restricted with falsified count to deny these to the population. Officials in Colombo saw to that the correct amount was not sent and the loaded goods were unloaded and reloaded on its way leading to some goods perishing on the way. Even school books for writing was not allowed. Despite all these Tamils lived through. The clever and diligent people devised ways to surmount these obstacles. So your embargo on Tamils will not work. If there is famine and death, that is a sure reason for international intervention and you are giving room for Indian troops to land to save Tamils. Whatever Sinhalese do, it will end in disaster to them. After the elimination of LTTE, Tamils have gained their moral high ground as the oppressed people suffering injustice.
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lal / March 11, 2020
Shankar, Hindu population in India is divided into first class majority north Indian Hindus and low class Tamil Hindus. This division among Hindus takes precedence in India over the conflict in Sri Lanka. As such, the first class Indians feel closer to the Sinhalese and support them against the Tamils who are seen as toilet cleaners. The first class north Indian Hindus do not want empower their toilet cleaners as they need them as toilet cleaners. They are excellent toilet cleaners. Sinhalese have nothing to fear from the north Indian Hindus. And the rest, the Sinhala military has taken care of.
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shankar / March 12, 2020
lal
if you go to tamilnadu you will see so many north indians working as labourers,but if you go to north india you don’t see any south indians working as labourers.Why is that?North indians are all brawn and no brain like that rajiv ghandhi who came like a bull in a china shop and took on prabhaharan.You also see a lot of crime in the north which you don’t see in the south.females including children get raped every day.
as for toilet cleaning you refer to,first of all there should be toilets to clean.Modi’s election pledge was to build millions of toilets.Now that idea looks like it has gone down the toilet and he is more interested in space programs that fail all the time.
A long time ago in the 60’s i think,i was travelling in a train in india and i saw thousands of people doing their business in the fields.I asked the indian next to me why the prime minister is not doing something about it and he pointed to an elderly man who was squatting in a garden and asked me whether i knew who that was.i said no and he told me that was the indian prime minister.I think he was moraji desai who drank morarji cola.
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Upali HS / March 9, 2020
Beware not to give 2/3 to government, save Independent commissions.
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Grievedsinhalaya / March 9, 2020
The need of the hour: is nothing else, but WALK the talk …. gotler baby politicians keep tight his mouth…. upon the advice given by his brother GOD FATHER of mafia- Mahinda bp:
.
We are nearing the day over 260 were killed and over 700 or more among the worshipers to the churches in Colombo and surburbs got injured, but former president and current Prime minister should come forward and produce what they have to say, since both were informeda bout the pre warnings made by Indian Intelligence and other intelligence. And the fact, let IGP and former Defence secretary to allow what they have to say about the information. Why SIRISENA is further protected by the law. Now he is no longer president and it is high time to hang him by his balls or not ?
The former president never allowed former PM and IGP to take part in regular SECURITY meetings, as no other leader did it before. That is TOTALLY wrong. And Ballige putha SIrisnea was touring through indian to Singapore on the costs of TAX payers funds while over 260 were killed in his own country why is that ? This man should be treated with JAMAL Khashoggi style punishm,ent.. by nature or by state.
Sirisena is the MAIN MAN to be arrested and put behind bars for his rest of life. If Ranil to be arrested, then Mahinda has no right to be free. since bond scam losses claimed by Mahinda era is multiple times more. Let all be jailed one behind the other.
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rama / March 9, 2020
Sirisena is the most stupid politician Sri Lanka ever had. His IQ could be about 34.55 and who is the idiot knowing well that there was going to be a massacre on Easter Sunday took off to Singapore and pretended that he was ignorant of the whole thing ? If one goes deep into this we will find that it was Gotta and Sira who planned it with Gotta’s thugs doing all the damage. No wonder Sira is now protected and requested to keep his mouth shut lest he would be cremated in Polonaruwa. I love SL there is so much drama 24 hours of the day
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K.Anaga / March 9, 2020
The creation of the Colombo Port City has created hazards for those enjoying a Sea Bath in the Sea opposite the KINROSS CLUB, popularly called the KINROSS SEA. In that, the said are has become deep and unsafe for bathing, both for the swimmers and none -swimmers. Due to construction of the Port City very often a mountain of sands is washed into the club premises thus inundating the premises. A couple of months back the children’s’ swimming pool was filled with Sea sand.
I use to enjoy a Sunday Sea bath previously, but now I have given up due to the uncertainty of life at Kinross Sea.
Can somebody honestly explain the benefits for the common man by this Port City?
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rama / March 9, 2020
Come on buddy there are no benefits for your sea bathing you should then go to Moratuwa or to Beruwala. If you insist in going to Kinross you will soon end up with poisonous Sea Anemone already introduced by the Wuhan dynasty. You might end up if you are lucky in the mountain of sand near the port city with your swimming trunks tied around your head. Good luck to you,keep swimming
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rama / March 9, 2020
There is no point even discussing this plan. By the time it is completed none of the Rajapakse clan including their off spring and all those who are clinging to them will be alive and kicking. We have dreams and more dreams nothing will materialize. Our grand kids and great grand kids will be talking of a “Mung” dynasty and probably referring to those who brought about this debacle as “pakayang” like all Chinese nouns end up with an “ng”. Our slit eyed generation will not know what hit them. The Rajapakse’s, . Premadasa and Wickremasinghes will be six feet under and rotting some of the villains who might survive will have both their feet at the edge of the grave. Hillarious when I think of it. What a way to end one’s life. Jayawewa
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Eagle Eye / March 9, 2020
Rama,
“Our grand kids and great grand kids will be talking of a “Mung” dynasty”
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Native Sinhalayo do not care what the grand kids and great grand kids of ‘Para’ Demalu talk. The grand kids and great grand kids of Native Sinhalayo will talk about a ‘Rajapakshe Dynasty’ that saved Sinhale and Native Sinhalayo from ‘Para’ Demala barbarians who are the descendants of slaves brought from Dravida Nadu and dum-ped in this country.
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Mallaiyuran / March 8, 2020
Too early. When RTI report comes out it will be another Wildlife Sanctuary Balangoda Vada Buddhist Aanduwa Nazi Department. That time the news piece has to revised. Remember Yahapalana who won election condemning Colombo Pong Cing, eventually ended claiming as it was the proud achievement Yahapalanaya?
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Douglas / March 8, 2020
“Port City” has been completed. Those who made “Money” made it and those who “Lost”, lost. Ranil W, without even studying the “Agreement” to gain a “Political Advantage” , “HALTED” it and in that too we LOST by paying “Compensation”. Now, at least, those in power must make plans to “PROFIT” by the project and not allow it become another “Whit Elephant”. That is what we should have done with “Hambantota Port”. But FAILED.
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JD / March 9, 2020
It is reported that the RTI Commission will examine the Colombo Port City Tripartite Agreement in the following weeks.
What does this say ? Dharisha Bastians is back, probably after the UNHRC.
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JD / March 9, 2020
Champika Ranawaka said the construction is completed. Now, why RTI commission is interested in it, when it’s job is to provide information to the outside. Looks stupid.
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Pandu de Silva / March 10, 2020
@JD
Who is stupid? You?
Not stupid but ass-stupid not to understand whether it is RW or MR/GR, that the soil of this country should not be abused for greedy politikkas!
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GATAM / March 9, 2020
Indians in India and SL are worried needlessly. Very reason why it must be implemented!
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Pandu de Silva / March 10, 2020
Are you a China-spy, Gatam? Hmm, hmm…
Beware the corona which spreads more to China-spies.
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Buddhist / March 9, 2020
Law of the land should be respected by all including the President and the Government.
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rama / March 9, 2020
You are really funny mate. When was the law of the land adhered to by the Rajapakse clan. These guys do not know the law of the land neither do they know what the constitution is. Ask Gotta if he can off the cuff recite the constitution . Ask his brothers what they know about the constitution. Basil might ask you for a 10 percent cut . On a serious note ask them why they bend into two at the feet of the Buddhist priests or why people wear white garments when they meditate on Sil. Do the Rajapkses know why they have so many “pirith nool” tied to their wrists ? They are totally ignorant of their own religion so how could they know about the law of the country. They are a bunch of morons duping the “Sinhala mahajaaya” Jayawewa
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Ad / March 9, 2020
Rajapakshes are not vested with unlimited powers to borrow and exploit the resources. Unfortunately the Sinhalese and Buddhists doesn’t realize that they are being duped for these purpose along with the torturing of Tamils and Muslims. The day the Sinhalese Buddhists understand how much they had been duped will be the day Rajapakshe’s and their clans will begin to vanish in numbers from this island for good.
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shankar / March 9, 2020
“while pollution in Colombo will be increased hundred-fold due to poor environmental controls over the Port City operation.”
colombians don’t need to worry.In the agreement clause 31 it clearly say those in colombo will be relocated to beijing or shanghai.Clause 31a says metropolitan colombo included.
0
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Kabaragoya / March 9, 2020
Rajapakse wants a loan of nearly two billion dollars from China. How are we going to extricate ourselves from the committments that the Rajafakses have made to China? The Mahanayakes are worried about a few concessions being made to the Tamils. Now, the whole country is hocked to the neck in Chines debt and the consequent Chinese control. It is like the Kandyan kingdom being handed over to the British as a result of a Sinhala conspiracy. without a shot being fired by the British Now, a secret pact made by the Sinhala Raja Pukkas has mortgaged the country for years to come without a single shot being fired by the Chinese. Such is the perfidy that the Raja Pukkas have committed, filling their own coffers by selling the country.
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rama / March 9, 2020
Hey ! Can you see Sri Lanka drowning and drowning fast ? we will not have our fingers to wave to attract attention for any help. So it will be a case of going going going GONE! trust me the Rakapkases will be the first to drown they have no life vests all taken by the Indians and their coffers looted by their own thugs. Remember what happened to Ferdinand Marcos of the Philipines. Just watch them drown but get your life vests ready
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shankar / March 10, 2020
kabaragoya
“It is like the Kandyan kingdom being handed over to the British as a result of a Sinhala conspiracy. without a shot being fired by the British”
don’t forget before the kanyan kingdom was handed over,king bhuvenekabahu asked for protection from the portuguese for his kotte kingdom because his brother mayadunne of the sitawaka kingdom was warring with him.The portuguese on the pretext of helping took control of the kotte kingdom without firing a shot.
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Renu / March 9, 2020
The law of the Land is for everybody . Let there be any foreign businesses but they have to adhere to the law of the Land I guess, like any other company operating in Sri-Lanka. Chinese can have hotels with access to everyone. Even the labourer in a developed country can go to any pub be it in the most sophisticated bar or hotel and can have drink or meal if they could afford No one in the country will be restricted I guess
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rbh / March 9, 2020
Neocolonialism and geopolitical rivalry countries to control, if port city is justifiyable why not MCC then
india efforts for expansionist in the name of its territorial integrity . Sri lanka has centered on a high level of tension between external intervention by opening of the port city.
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Eagle Eye / March 9, 2020
“However, environmentalists have staged protests saying that the project has been undertaken bypassing environmental approvals and that the aim is to set up a ‘rich zone’ where those who have money and privilege are favoured.”
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There were several environmentalists and NGO suckers making lot of noise during Rajapakse regime but after the ‘Yahapalana’ Government decided to go ahead with the project, probably after getting their share, those environmentalists and NGO suckers vanished.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / March 9, 2020
Is this Right to Information Commission also as same as Dr Rani’s Police Commission, which appointed Mr Pujitah as the IGP which lead to the demolition of the Srilanakans Catholic Church?.
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Just asking in case our Port City is going to face the same situation…
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Jehan / March 9, 2020
China must pay for wuhan virus as they developed it in a lab, and leaked.We must claim damages from the Chinese . This will happen from US to Africa, as all countries are affected by the Wuhan virus.
They must relinquish all assets to Sri Lanka, we need compensation for there stupidity.
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Eagle Eye / March 9, 2020
Jehan,
Did Chinese told you that they developed Corona virus in a lab in Wuhan and leaked. You must be a very good Intelligence Officer to get such information from Chinese.
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SJ / March 9, 2020
J
There is evidence emerging that the source of the virus is the US.
If that is true, will the US foot the bill?
The US did not duly compensate the victims of Union Carbide’s act of gross irresponsibility in Bhopal three and a half decades ago.
Has the US compensated the victims of its unjust wars?
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N.Wimaladasa / March 9, 2020
Maritime Silk Road is proposed by People Republic of China which is vast and long-term Trading and Cultural project,which benifices are by many nations of South Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Its look like south-south corporation of development of Emerging nations of that decolonization several decades after second World War.
The Port City in Colombo an open to World whole countries ,as well as to all
Sri Lankan an irrescapatices of their Race, Religion and ethnicities. By and large there is No secret behind Port City Projects. In fact it is most a viable project by large Private of local and Global investment by investors from all over the World .
And it created more advantages of New global development and its Economy of developing countries . It will leads shifted Nation economy by New GVC and GSC of sustainability of development. The Capital Market has shifted to Asian region from West domination of decline market.
The evil forces of neo-Liberalist in locally and Internationally are jointely opposed this ongoing bulk of investment in Trading, Commercial Banking , Capital Financial services and Travel industries located by newly build in Colombo Port.
City .
An economically Port City is a factor of trading and distribution center is as 21st century competitiveness as Capital market more than 20th century .The rise of Port City in Colombo is importance of Trading and Financial hub that up to new policy of challenges ranging from geostrategic location in Indian Ocean.It build peaceful Competition of Good and Services of including TWO giant nation of China & India.
Well the rise of Economic globalization and new integration economics in Asian a Countries around China and Indian and Pacific Region is natural phonommen of Economy of world . We are in center of that Colombo Port City is located.
It is aspiration of People not only the West but is also EAST … part of other world.
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ajith / March 9, 2020
RTI cannot escape from Mahinda_Gota dictatorship.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / March 10, 2020
Of course Dr Rani’s UNP Buddies in Kotte and the others in Colombo are not happy about Prez Nandasean is now in charge of the Real Eastate there.
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Just imagine how much a Perch is worth, when our Colombo Elite with the Dosh now pay up to 30 Mil Ruppiahs a perch even in properties in Galwala Road?.
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Kiriellae, Galleon Ravi, Maik Samare, Kabir Hassim must be crying their hearts out thinking of the Santhosams they could have made doing deals with Singaoreans and even Hindians to sell Blocks from our Inhabitants Patch of those 100 Acres.
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I would love to buy even a one bedroom, if Prez Nande allocates a few Public Housing as a balancing act for our Dalits live side by side with the Colombo Elite Anglicans and the Vellalas from the Diaspora .
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N.wijayaratne / March 10, 2020
As usual MR trying another helping Hambantota stunt before he is thrown out from PM – position?
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Wera / March 10, 2020
The RTI was established by the RW government and is the work of RW. The port city was part of the megapolis concept planned also by RW in his previous tenure as PM. The port city was plucked out of the overall plan and gifted lock stock and barrel to the Chinese government by the Rajapukses probably because it was a rich source of kick backs. Under Ranawaka the rest of the actual Megapolis project got underway. The rest of the plan is what actually benefits the local population. The port City is also a beneficiary since it cannot function isolated and without services by itself. The Rajapuksas did not care two hoots for the need to connect the port city to the city mains water supply, Gas supply or sewerage systems. They thought all those things will magically appear out of nowhere. The hard work to make all this happen was done under RW and Ranawaka. The damage done to the sovereighnity of Sri Lanka also had to be repaired by the RW regime by renegotiating the outright gift to a 99 year lease. The Environmental impact and any other negatives were deliberately hidden due to the greed to make money by the Rajapuksas. But the Yakkos rewarded them with their vote. Not a whit did they care about who started it all what the actual benefits are or who stuffed up on the territorial rights and the environment. As long as one of their own kind of miserable crude thug wants to rule over them they are all for it. So why should anyone bother? Sri Lanka had gone to the dogs from where it will never rise again. They missed the last bus to redemption.
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Paramanathan K / March 10, 2020
It is sad to see our politicians mortgaged our country to gain ‘For a Few Dollars more’ to siphon out into their pockets’ under the guise of various projects showcased to hoodwink the masses. Colombo Port City is one of them. Key reasons for foreign countries trying to exploit Sri Lanka is due to our ever failing economy which appears to be unstoppable. As at now on one seemed to have any solutions. Annual budget deficits ruining our reserves eroding without finding sustainable solutions to put the house in order which appears to be a distance dream.
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Mano / March 11, 2020
You all talk about ownership of Colombo Port City and its control. Will any one oblige me an answer to question ,” who owns Sri lanka and who the real ruler is” ?
The crows have stolen the whole ‘old achchige vaday and the modaya fox staring the tree tops in dismay.
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Abhaya Premawardena / March 16, 2020
Golden beaches of Negambo .. have you seen them. Shit and garbage-strewn shit holes
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