The mega Colombo Port City project caught the attention of the nation last week following a long period away from the spotlight as the Government tabled in Parliament the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill. The 76-page Bill provides for a legal framework for the setting up of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) within the Port City premises and an Economic Commission which will oversee all activities within the SEZ, among others.
As members of the Government claimed that The Colombo Port City belongs to the Government though foreign investors are allowed to invest in it, multiple petitions were filed before the Supreme Court following the Bill by various stakeholders and members of the civil society challenging the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill on several grounds, including that the Bill affects the sovereignty of Sri Lanka. It was even claimed by some that Sri Lanka would become a “Chinese Colony”.
In this light, The Morning spoke to members of the public about how far informed they were about this recent development surrounding the Port City and what they thought about it. They also expressed their opinions on whether members of the Parliament could be trusted to make a decision that is favourable for the country or whether Sri Lanka should go for a referendum on the matter.
The following are a few opinions we encountered.
No idea as to what is in the Bill
Champika, 43, Pugoda, motor mechanic
The issue surrounding the Port City Economic Commission Bill appears to be a conflict between two parties. The Government says that it is good and the Opposition says that this is wrong. I got to know about the recent debate over it from newspapers and television. They only report on what government or opposition politicians think. The media has not reported on the actual contents of the Bill. The public would have a clear response, whether they are for the Bill or against it, if they were informed of what is in it.
I am not sure about the claim that Port City is going to be a part of China, a “Chinese Colony”. What I have heard is that Port City is going to be sold; that a part of our country is to be given away. But we have no idea as to what is in the Bill. But I don’t think after all of this effort to build it, the Port City would be just given away to another entity. No one would do anything without hoping to benefit from it. Port City was there even during the previous Government and if the government changes in another few years, and those in power now lose, they would then say that Port City is bad. This debate will go on forever but China will manage to get what they want.
When it comes to how Port City should function, Port City should not have a separate law. If we go for a referendum, although the Government got a two-thirds majority the last time, such a majority would not be gained at a referendum now. A lot of those who voted for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government would not vote for them. Though it was said that 69 lakhs of the population voted for the current Government, when you speak to people, you can’t even find nine people who voted for them. Though there is a debate about Port City creating room for casinos and such to be opened, I don’t have a problem with that. That is okay.
We should opt for a referendum
Basnayake, 63, Kegalle, vendor
I saw that the Colombo Port City is being talked about on the news and in the papers. The Government is saying one thing and the Opposition is saying something else. The Government says that the Port City is going to be given to China but some members of the governing party say that it is going to be given to China. The Opposition says that Port City is going to be given to China and that it must be stopped. I hear that protests are going to be held till it is stopped. But I feel that Port City would be given to China like everything else was. We would only get it back after the 99-year lease period ends. All of us who are alive now would be dead then.
I saw on the papers that a lot of petitions were filed. Though they were filed, we have no idea what would come out of that. I saw that a Commission was going to be brought to control the Port City. Everything lies in the hands of the Government. I also saw that a separate law is going to be brought for Port City. When you look at it from the side of the country, it is not right. Then it would be as though Port City is a different country that does not belong to Sri Lanka.
I think it is very good if this leads to a referendum. The Government already has the two-thirds majority in Parliament and won’t have any room for a difference. So we should go for a referendum. If we go for that, I think people would vote against Port City being given to China. Because I don’t think we can trust the members of the Government in Parliament to make a decision that is favourable for the country. Those in the Government are like one. They are in favour of the Government. So they would vote for whatever the Government wants.
A project that should go ahead 
Manoharan, 24, Maskeliya, Harbour employee
I saw on Facebook that there is an ongoing discussion these days about Port City, but I am not very informed about it. I have seen it on television as well. I do not get to follow the story in the media because of work. I find it hard to find time to follow the news. What I think is that Port City is a good project that should go ahead. All of it is good. I don’t know much about a Bill that is being brought. I don’t have a problem with casinos opening up inside Port City.
If Parliament is to decide what to do about Port City, I think they will take the correct decision for the country because they will do so after having discussions. I think the way that Port City is progressing is correct. Even if they are going to change the decisions it would still be fine, because they will talk about it and change them.
Entire Cabinet seems to be corrupt 
Isora, 19, Nawagamuwa, student
I have seen that Port City is being talked about on social media these days. In my opinion,I think it is not okay for Port City to function under separate laws. That would violate the country’s sovereignty and also the Constitution. It will be more economically beneficial for the country if Port City belongs to Sri Lanka. China has been investing in a lot of countries just like it is investing in Sri Lanka, so that it can become a global power through trade. They have been doing this through the initiative called OBOR (One Belt One Road). As Sri Lanka has been a hub from ancient times and has been engaging in trade with the world because of where we are located in the Indian Ocean, China has naturally shown interest in our country. I know that many petitions have been filed by Opposition parties in Parliament but it is hard to believe that Parliament will make a good decision for the country. At present, the entire Cabinet seems to be corrupt and they work for their personal motives. The country’s interest is not at heart for them.
Would hugely impact Sri Lankan economy 
Jayakumar, 36, Rathnapura, businessman
I feel that the plan is to take Port City completely out of Sri Lanka from what I have gathered, from what has been talked about in the media these days. If it wasn’t the case, this should not be such a hot topic; the only reason for this matter to be dragged on is because Sri Lanka would not have any claim to Port City. Maybe Port City will be given out on the 99-year lease; they say that the Yahapalana Government arranged for this lease period. But Sri Lanka would not benefit from any of the investments till that period ends. We may not be alive then, so how could we know what future governments would do? Even if we buy a toffee in Port City, we would have to pay a tax for it. This would impact the Sri Lankan economy in a big way. People who would spend Rs. 50 in Colombo would go to Port City and spend Rs. 100 on the same thing just because it is Port City. The country would then lose that money. The spending that people do in Colombo have reaped lots of benefits for the country. Everyone who can spend in Colombo would spend in Port City after this, which would be lost to us. There is no issue if Sri Lanka would also get a portion of the profits earned at Port City. But if that’s not the case, then there is no point in it.
I did not check the Port City bill much but I have been following what’s going on in the media. Various media report various things. It is okay for the Port City project to go on if we change something; if a new bill is going to be introduced for Sri Lanka to earn profits from Port City. There have been reports from the side of the Government that the Port City project, as it is proposed, is good for the country. But MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has raised issues with it and he is a lawyer who knows about these matters. So I think for him to say that, there should be an actual problem.
Won’t vote ever again
Anonymous 1
I do not want to go on record saying this but you can write it if you want. When the Government came into power, this is not what we expected. I voted for the President because I thought he would be different. But if parts of the country – Port City is our land – if they are going to be sold, what is the point? I have decided that I won’t vote ever again. Then I would not at least have to regret the decisions I have made. I can save the time and fuel on my vehicle I have spent to go to a voting booth.
Times have changed
Anonymous 2
We work here and if we give our opinions we will lose our jobs. These times are not like before. Port City will be given away, so what can we do? I saw this in the papers and in the news. Those who go in and out of Port City are going to be taxed. But this is what you should ask powerful people. They are the ones making these decisions. I don’t want to talk about this.
Champika, 43, Pugoda, motor mechanic
The issue surrounding the Port City Economic Commission Bill appears to be a conflict between two parties. The Government says that it is good and the Opposition says that this is wrong. I got to know about the recent debate over it from newspapers and television. They only report on what government or opposition politicians think. The media has not reported on the actual contents of the Bill. The public would have a clear response, whether they are for the Bill or against it, if they were informed of what is in it.
I am not sure about the claim that Port City is going to be a part of China, a “Chinese Colony”. What I have heard is that Port City is going to be sold; that a part of our country is to be given away. But we have no idea as to what is in the Bill. But I don’t think after all of this effort to build it, the Port City would be just given away to another entity. No one would do anything without hoping to benefit from it. Port City was there even during the previous Government and if the government changes in another few years, and those in power now lose, they would then say that Port City is bad. This debate will go on forever but China will manage to get what they want.
When it comes to how Port City should function, Port City should not have a separate law. If we go for a referendum, although the Government got a two-thirds majority the last time, such a majority would not be gained at a referendum now. A lot of those who voted for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government would not vote for them. Though it was said that 69 lakhs of the population voted for the current Government, when you speak to people, you can’t even find nine people who voted for them. Though there is a debate about Port City creating room for casinos and such to be opened, I don’t have a problem with that. That is okay.
We should opt for a referendum
Basnayake, 63, Kegalle, vendor
I saw that the Colombo Port City is being talked about on the news and in the papers. The Government is saying one thing and the Opposition is saying something else. The Government says that the Port City is going to be given to China but some members of the governing party say that it is going to be given to China. The Opposition says that Port City is going to be given to China and that it must be stopped. I hear that protests are going to be held till it is stopped. But I feel that Port City would be given to China like everything else was. We would only get it back after the 99-year lease period ends. All of us who are alive now would be dead then.
I saw on the papers that a lot of petitions were filed. Though they were filed, we have no idea what would come out of that. I saw that a Commission was going to be brought to control the Port City. Everything lies in the hands of the Government. I also saw that a separate law is going to be brought for Port City. When you look at it from the side of the country, it is not right. Then it would be as though Port City is a different country that does not belong to Sri Lanka.
I think it is very good if this leads to a referendum. The Government already has the two-thirds majority in Parliament and won’t have any room for a difference. So we should go for a referendum. If we go for that, I think people would vote against Port City being given to China. Because I don’t think we can trust the members of the Government in Parliament to make a decision that is favourable for the country. Those in the Government are like one. They are in favour of the Government. So they would vote for whatever the Government wants.
A project that should go ahead
Manoharan, 24, Maskeliya, Harbour employee
I saw on Facebook that there is an ongoing discussion these days about Port City, but I am not very informed about it. I have seen it on television as well. I do not get to follow the story in the media because of work. I find it hard to find time to follow the news. What I think is that Port City is a good project that should go ahead. All of it is good. I don’t know much about a Bill that is being brought. I don’t have a problem with casinos opening up inside Port City.
If Parliament is to decide what to do about Port City, I think they will take the correct decision for the country because they will do so after having discussions. I think the way that Port City is progressing is correct. Even if they are going to change the decisions it would still be fine, because they will talk about it and change them.
Entire Cabinet seems to be corrupt
Isora, 19, Nawagamuwa, student
I have seen that Port City is being talked about on social media these days. In my opinion,I think it is not okay for Port City to function under separate laws. That would violate the country’s sovereignty and also the Constitution. It will be more economically beneficial for the country if Port City belongs to Sri Lanka. China has been investing in a lot of countries just like it is investing in Sri Lanka, so that it can become a global power through trade. They have been doing this through the initiative called OBOR (One Belt One Road). As Sri Lanka has been a hub from ancient times and has been engaging in trade with the world because of where we are located in the Indian Ocean, China has naturally shown interest in our country. I know that many petitions have been filed by Opposition parties in Parliament but it is hard to believe that Parliament will make a good decision for the country. At present, the entire Cabinet seems to be corrupt and they work for their personal motives. The country’s interest is not at heart for them.
Would hugely impact Sri Lankan economy
Jayakumar, 36, Rathnapura, businessman
I feel that the plan is to take Port City completely out of Sri Lanka from what I have gathered, from what has been talked about in the media these days. If it wasn’t the case, this should not be such a hot topic; the only reason for this matter to be dragged on is because Sri Lanka would not have any claim to Port City. Maybe Port City will be given out on the 99-year lease; they say that the Yahapalana Government arranged for this lease period. But Sri Lanka would not benefit from any of the investments till that period ends. We may not be alive then, so how could we know what future governments would do? Even if we buy a toffee in Port City, we would have to pay a tax for it. This would impact the Sri Lankan economy in a big way. People who would spend Rs. 50 in Colombo would go to Port City and spend Rs. 100 on the same thing just because it is Port City. The country would then lose that money. The spending that people do in Colombo have reaped lots of benefits for the country. Everyone who can spend in Colombo would spend in Port City after this, which would be lost to us. There is no issue if Sri Lanka would also get a portion of the profits earned at Port City. But if that’s not the case, then there is no point in it.
I did not check the Port City bill much but I have been following what’s going on in the media. Various media report various things. It is okay for the Port City project to go on if we change something; if a new bill is going to be introduced for Sri Lanka to earn profits from Port City. There have been reports from the side of the Government that the Port City project, as it is proposed, is good for the country. But MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has raised issues with it and he is a lawyer who knows about these matters. So I think for him to say that, there should be an actual problem.
Won’t vote ever again
Anonymous 1
I do not want to go on record saying this but you can write it if you want. When the Government came into power, this is not what we expected. I voted for the President because I thought he would be different. But if parts of the country – Port City is our land – if they are going to be sold, what is the point? I have decided that I won’t vote ever again. Then I would not at least have to regret the decisions I have made. I can save the time and fuel on my vehicle I have spent to go to a voting booth.
Times have changed
Anonymous 2
We work here and if we give our opinions we will lose our jobs. These times are not like before. Port City will be given away, so what can we do? I saw this in the papers and in the news. Those who go in and out of Port City are going to be taxed. But this is what you should ask powerful people. They are the ones making these decisions. I don’t want to talk about this.