{"id":219254,"date":"2021-05-21T08:13:01","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T02:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=219254"},"modified":"2021-05-24T16:28:02","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T10:58:02","slug":"colombo-port-city-the-opposition-catastrophe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/colombo-port-city-the-opposition-catastrophe\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombo Port City & The Opposition Catastrophe!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0Rusiripala Tennakoon<\/a>\u00a0\u2013<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Rusiripala Tennakoon<\/p><\/div>\n

The country like many others is engrossed in a calamitous situation due to the prevailing COVID-19<\/a><\/span> pandemic affecting the normal life of all citizens. Pandemic has shown clear signs of being continued unabated for some more time. Government with the Health Authorities are engaged with a full focus on its arrest and all the normal activities of the country are reaching a virtual stagnation causing it to cross the thresholds towards a total economic devastation. Naturally in such a situation the rulers have to while giving priority to the control and eradication of the pandemic, give equally serious consideration and attention not only to keep the economy from reaching a breaking point but to take measures for its resuscitation as an essential futuristic measure. Therefore, a pandemic is no reason for any country to forget about all other things. It becomes all the more important to address short term as well as long term plans of action on all other aspects mainly in the economic sphere. There is no justification or sense in the outcry to forget everything else and concentrate only on the pandemic situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The opposition political parties and some social groups are embroiled in a battle against the Colombo Port City<\/a><\/span> (CPC) project to outwit the ruling coalition, rationalizing their stunt by attributing motives more appealing to the public faced with a disastrous situation, hence na\u00efve to fall prey to such, instead of taking efforts to address the issues with a positive perception. The clergy mundanely more concerned with the day-to-day human needs and standards, appear to have joined in the campaign to support the opposition view unwittingly. Earlier they were voicing opinions about the dangers the project would pose to the sovereignty of the country alleging it is going to be a colony of the Chinese. It appeared that they have been misinformed by some politically motivated personalities whom the clergy relied on heavily. Now after the Supreme Court determination has dispelled those doubts, they are taking up a different position that the matter should not be rushed. Little are they concerned about the impending highly dangerous situation about the falling and failing economy, and equally less concern about the urgency to take remedial steps even for bringing delayed results. They compare the project in their own imagination with other totally incomparable cases. It is tricky and difficult for a society which is cultured to highly respect the clergy to make up the mind to counter them and point out their erroneous presumptions which we believe is due to two reasons. One is the failure of the government to convince them and give them correct information. The other is they hardly study what is available in black and white. That is why they make frivolous claims such as the agreement should be made public when the bill governing the entire operation is, in its totality gazetted , presented to the SC and debated in Parliament. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the first day of the debate other than highly emotional outbursts full of misrepresentations and accusations levelled against individuals there were no meaningful suggestions by the opposition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Those legal eagles who gave deceitful views about the Bill have got the matters aptly cleared and bared (for the public benefit) by the Supreme Court leaving no room for any untrustworthy public comments in the future. One glaring example is the two objections raised citing Article 5 of the Constitution;<\/span><\/p>\n

Viz.<\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>i). \u201cParliament does not have any legislative power to pass the Bill since the Colombo Port City is not part of the territory of Sri Lanka\u201d<\/i><\/b> contending that Article 5 defines the territory of the Republic of SL and that the Bill seeks to add, to this territory an artificially created area.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>ii). It was also submitted that any claim to sovereignty to artificially created areas is governed by Maritime Zones Law and the United Nations Convention Law and as a matter of Sri Lankan Law and International Law, an artificially created area of land cannot constitute sovereign territory. Court Held that The Colombo Port City is part of the territory of Sri Lanka in terms of the law and Parliament has legislative power over the reclaimed area<\/i><\/b>. This determination has dispelled several doubts that the persons who opposed the Bill on those grounds were attempting to make out. If their submission was established, we would have been left with a no-man\u2019s land in our country adjacent to the Colombo City and the main harbor!<\/span><\/p>\n

A public uproar is afloat about the SC determination, showing many provisions that require amendments to qualify the bill for a passage in parliament only with a simple majority. Some refer to it as a defeat to the government. The SC gave its determination after hearing the submissions made by several counsel on behalf of the petitioners and additional solicitor general who in the course of submissions conceded that amendments will be made to the following clauses at the committee stage; 6(1)(n),7(1),9(4),32, 45, 46(g), 62(5),63,72,74, Schedule 2, item 6 and the General amendment, the reference to \u201cin the national interest and the interest of the advancement of the national economy\u201d, wherever it occurs in the Bill, be amended to read as, \u201cin the national interest or in the advancement of the national economy\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The final determination of the Court is as summarized below,<\/span><\/p>\n

(i)<\/strong> The provisions of clauses 3(6),30(3) second proviso, 55(2) and 58(1) are inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistencies will cease if the clauses are amended as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

3(6), delete words \u201cprovide such concurrence\u201d and substitute therefor the words \u201ccommunicate its decision\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

30(3)delete the words \u201crender such concurrence\u201d and substitute therefor the words\u201c communicate its decision\u201d<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

55(2) delete the words, \u201cprovide such concurrence\u201d and substitute therefor the words \u201ccommunicate its decision\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

58(1)\u00a0<\/span>Delete the words, \u201crender such concurrence\u201d and substitute therefor the words \u201ccommunicate its decision\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The determination clearly indicated the inconsistencies observed and\u00a0 <\/span>the amendments needed\u00a0 <\/span>for the inconsistencies to cease. <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

(ii) The provisions of clauses, 3(5) proviso, 6(1) (b), 30 (3) first proviso, 71(1) and 74 [interpretation \u2018Regulatory Authority\u201d] of the Bill are inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistencies will cease if the clauses are amended as given therein.<\/span><\/p>\n

(iii) The provisions of clauses 3(4), 6(1)(u), 68 (1) (f) and 68(3)(a) are inconsistent with Article 76 read with Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution and cold be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution and approved by the People at a Referendum by virtue of the provisions of Article 83.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistencies will cease if the clauses are amended as given therein.<\/span><\/p>\n

(iv) The provisions of clauses 52(3) read with clauses 52(5) and 71(2)(p) of the Bill are inconsistent with Article 148 of the Constitution read with Articles 3,4,and 76 of the Constitution and could be validly passed only wit the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution and approved by the People at a Referendum by virtue of provisions of Article 83.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistencies will cease if the clauses are amended as given therein.<\/span><\/p>\n

(v) The provisions of clauses 30(1),33(1),40(2)and 71(2)(1) of the Bill are inconsistent with Article 14(1)(h)of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) f the Constitution.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistencies will cease if the clauses are amended as given therein.<\/span><\/p>\n

(vi) The provisions of clause 53(2)(b) read with clause 53(3)(b) of the Bill is inconsistent with Article 76 of the Constitution read with Article 3 and 4 of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2) of the Constitution and approved by the People at a Referendum by virtue of the provisions of Article 83.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistencies will cease if the clauses are amended as given therein.<\/span><\/p>\n

(vii).The provisions of clauses 60\u00a9 and clause 60(f) of the Bill is inconsistent with Article 148 of the Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided\u00a0 <\/span>for in Article 84(2) of the constitution.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistencies will cease if the clauses are amended as given therein.<\/span><\/p>\n

(viii) The provisions of clause 37 of the Bill is inconsistent with Article 12(1)and 14(1)(g) of he Constitution and could be validly passed only with the special majority provided for in Article 84(2)of the Constitution.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

However, the said inconsistency will cease if a new sub clause is added to clause 3 of the Bill restraining such authorized person making use of any exemptions or incentives granted under this Bill when conducting business outside the area of authority of the Colombo Port City to the detriment of similar businesses conducted outside such area of Authority but within the territory of Sri Lanka.<\/span><\/p>\n

The SC\u00a0 <\/span>has examined the rest of the clauses of the Bill and determined that they are not inconsistent with the constitution. Government clearly announced that all the amendments suggested by the SC will be incorporated into the draft at the committee stage before approval. <\/span><\/p>\n

There was a huge campaign to indicate that the BILL carried several clauses inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution and it was something unprecedented. I wish to indicate the SC determination on the BILL entitled \u201c The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution\u201d:-<\/span><\/p>\n

Quote; <\/span><\/p>\n

a)<\/strong> complies with the provisions of Article 82(1) of the Constitution;<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

b) requires to be passed by a special majority specified in Article 82 (5) of the Constitution;<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

c) that paragraphs 42(3), 43(3), 44(2) , 44(3),and\u00a0 <\/span>44(5) in clause 11 and paragraph 104B(5)\u00a9 <\/i><\/b><\/span>in clause 26 require the approval of the People at a Referendum in terms of the provisions of <\/i><\/b><\/span>Article 83 of the Constitution.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The following short resume will help us to recap the significant events and developments associated with this project. <\/span><\/p>\n

Project launched by Mahinda Rajapakse during his Presidency, on 17th September 2014<\/span><\/p>\n

Estimated total investment for the project by Chinese Govt. was US $ 1.5 billion<\/span><\/p>\n

Project envisaged the reclaiming of 223 hectares (579 acres ) adjacent to the South Colombo Harbor<\/span><\/p>\n

MOU was to share the reclaimed land extent of 223 Hectares (579 acres), with125 hectares(310 acres) to be owned by the Govt. of SL; 88 hectares (220 acres)to be allocated to investor under a 99 year lease; 20 hecatares (49 acres ) to be given free hold to the investor company<\/span><\/p>\n

MR govt was defeated and the Ranil\/MS govt. suspended the project with immediate effect<\/span><\/p>\n

MOU re-negotiated and the RW\/MS govt. restarted the project; <\/span><\/p>\n

Total extent of the land reclaimed to be allocated to UDA in place of Port Authority, 20 hectares to be granted on free hold basis too to be given under 99 year lease; The infrastructure expenditure (roads and beaches) to be shared by investor and SL govt.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new agreement incorporated the following;<\/span><\/p>\n

* To reclaim a total extent of 269 hectares( 660 acres) under the EIA carried out<\/span><\/p>\n

* Allocate 2 hectares in lieu of compensation for the loss incurred due to the cancellation<\/span><\/p>\n

* Agreed on a new Master plan for the project development<\/span><\/p>\n

* Share the reclaimed area as follows;<\/span><\/p>\n

1) 116 hectares (284 A)to be allocated to Chinese investor under 99 year lease period<\/span><\/p>\n

2) 62 hectares (151 A) to Govt.of SL<\/span><\/p>\n

3) 91 hectares (222.A) as Common Public areas<\/span><\/p>\n

The following land mark events during Ranil\/Maithri period shows their interest in the project then:<\/span><\/p>\n

In August 2016, the project was revamped as Colombo International Financial Center and a fresh agreement was signed<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2018 World City Summit, held in Singapore, Prime Minister Ranil W. was the key-note speaker and he promoted the revamped Port City project at a time when even the land was not ready<\/span><\/p>\n

On 23rd July 2019,The parliament passed without a vote the resolution proposed by Home affairs and Local govt. Minister Vajira Abeywardena to include the reclaimed land area of the Colombo Port City to be brought within the area of authority and limits of the administrative district of Colombo.<\/span><\/p>\n

On 29th October 2019, SL president Sirisena attended a deed transferring ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat attended by Chinese Ambassador in SL to officially transfer the land reclaimed(269 hectares) in the Colombo Port City project to the Sri Lanka Urban Development Authority. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[…]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":131025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,46,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-219254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-constitutional-reforms","category-editorial"],"yoast_head":"\nColombo Port City & The Opposition Catastrophe! - Colombo Telegraph<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/colombo-port-city-the-opposition-catastrophe\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Colombo Port City & The Opposition Catastrophe! - Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[…]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/colombo-port-city-the-opposition-catastrophe\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-05-21T02:43:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-05-24T10:58:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Mahinda-China-.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"960\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"633\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rusiripala Tennakoon\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rusiripala Tennakoon\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/colombo-port-city-the-opposition-catastrophe\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/colombo-port-city-the-opposition-catastrophe\/\",\"name\":\"Colombo Port City & The Opposition Catastrophe! 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