Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Colombo Port City bill gets Sri Lankan parliamentary approval

Colombo Port City bill gets Sri Lankan parliamentary approval

SRI LANKA’S parliament on Thursday (20) approved the controversial Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, with the government saying the Chinese-backed project would bring in investments and boost the island nation's economy.

The 225-member parliament approved the bill 148-59 after a two-day debate, even as opposition parties alleged that it would lead to the creation of a Chinese colony in Sri Lanka.


Referring to the supreme court's determination, opposition speakers said at the debate that the bill presented to the parliament undermined the sovereignty of the country and the constitution to such a degree that it required referenda on nine instances and a two-thirds majority 17 times to pass it.

But the government said amendments would be made in accordance with the supreme court's directives and therefore no referendum or a two-thirds majority in the parliament would be required.

In April, the supreme court had heard 18 petitions filed against the bill by the opposition parties and civil society groups which had sought a national referendum and the passage of it in the parliament by a two-thirds majority.

It had declared that certain provisions of the Chinese Port City bill were inconsistent with the constitution.

Considered to be the single largest private sector development in the island, the $1.4-billion (£990 million) Colombo Port City project is expected to play a key role in China's ambitious 'Maritime Silk Road' project in India's backyard. China has built the port city on the reclaimed sea, adjoining the Port of Colombo.

The bill aims to provide for a special economic zone to establish a commission to grant registrations, licences, authorisations and other approvals to operate businesses in such economic zones.

On the importance of the bill, the government on Thursday said the port city would attract foreign direct investments, giving the much-needed impetus to the economy. Minister for capital markets Ajith Cabraal projected that the initial construction of the port city would bring in an investment of $15b (£10.58b), creating over 200,000 jobs.

Sri Lanka, in recent years, has carried out various development projects with an estimated $8b (£5.64b) in loans. The huge Chinese loans sparked concerns globally, after Sri Lanka handed over the strategic Hambantota Port to China in 2017 as a debt swap, amounting to $1.2b (£850m) for a 99-year lease.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less