DOCSLIB.ORG

Indo-Pacific

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Indo-Pacific INDO-PACIFIC Sri Lanka: Operations Begin on New Chinese-Funded Artificial Island OE Watch Commentary: A newly reclaimed island adjacent to Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has begun attracting businesses. Named “Port City Colombo,” the 269 hectares (664 acres) of reclaimed land juts almost two kilometers into the Laccadive Sea. The project is intended to help turn Colombo into a retail and financial hub, the latter dubbed “Colombo International Financial City,” pulling in investment from India and South Asia. The excerpted article notes that China provided the entirety of the $1.4 billion dollars needed to build the island, setting China’s investments in the country apart from those of the US and Japan, which the article claims, “are also vying for influence” in the country along with India. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was elected Sri Lanka’s president in November 2019, is viewed as being pro-China, and the article notes that his prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, served as President during a period of growing relations with China. The Colombo project is not the only billion-dollar Chinese investment in the country. ColomboHarbour-November2015-04. Source: Rehman Abubakr via Wikimedia, https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ColomboHarbour- The Hambantota Development Zone, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast and initiated in 2008, November2015-04.JPG, CC BY-SA 4.0 has attracted even more foreign scrutiny than the Colombo project. In 2017, then-Prime Minister Wickremesinghe agreed to terms that gave China Merchants Port Holdings Company a 99-year lease. The company is majority-owned by China Merchants Group [招商局集团], itself owned by China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission which oversees State-owned enterprises (SOEs). Norochcholai Coal Power Plant in Northwestern Sri Lanka has also run to over 1 billion dollars. The Export-Import Bank of China provided loans for the project in 2006, and construction was undertaken by China Machinery Engineering Corporation. China Merchants Group owns a stake in the power plant. Foreign investment along these lines is likely tempting as many developing countries see the infrastructure they build as a way to rapidly grow their economies. As seen in the case of Hambantota, however, they can quickly run into questions of national sovereignty. End OE Watch Commentary (Wood) “China .. provided the $1.4 billion investment to dredge the sea and build the artificial island. It is the largest foreign direct investment project ever undertaken in Sri Lanka.” Source: Marwaan Macan-Markar, “China grips Sri Lanka with artificial island off Colombo,”Nikkei , 12 December 2019. https://asia.nikkei. com/Spotlight/Belt-and-Road/China-grips-Sri-Lanka-with-artificial-island-off-Colombo China, no stranger to building islands, has finished one off the coast of Colombo that gives Sri Lanka, a strategically located South Asian nation, the potential of erecting a futuristic business hub. Billed as Port City Colombo, the 269 hectares of land reclaimed off the coast of Sri Lanka’s largest city was officially declared part of the country last weekend. The night sky above Colombo’s coast lit up with fireworks to mark the moment this Chinese-led venture was formally able to begin attracting foreign investors. Seasoned observers reckon the island will further deepen China’s economic ties with debt-strapped Sri Lanka, where India, the U.S., and Japan are also vying for influence. But it was China that provided the $1.4 billion investment to dredge the sea and build the artificial island. It is the largest foreign direct investment project ever undertaken in Sri Lanka. Diplomatic sources in Colombo say Port City Colombo stands apart from other big-ticket ventures in the country, a big beneficiary of China’s belt and road largesse. Billions of dollars in Chinese loans have resulted in a slew of projects -- a port, airport, and highways. Port City Colombo will not join this list; the FDI project comes at no financial cost to Sri Lanka. The project began in September 2014, when Chinese President Xi Jinping first visited Sri Lanka. It involved China Communications Construction Company, the giant developer and most active builder when it comes to Sri Lanka’s BRI projects, through an affiliate, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC). Officials at CHEC Port City Colombo, a company floated by CHEC for this venture, are targeting investors from the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and China in their endeavor to turn the island into “South Asia’s premier residential, retail and business destination,” as the company states in its promotional material. Financial analysts in Colombo reckon that Port City Colombo’s location will allow it to draw Indian businesses. At the company’s roadshow in Mumbai, India’s financial capital, one message was driven home -- that the new hub is a three-hour flight away. But as CHEC Port City Colombo points toward its goal of attracting a further $13 billion in property development investments, it awaits some action in the Sri Lankan parliament, which needs to pass several pieces of legislation, including one to make the island a special economic zone. Some of the legislation is contentious, especially that calling for a new legal regime and regulations that some observers are likening to the “one country, two systems” formula China uses with Hong Kong. That will require an amendment to Sri Lanka’s constitution. OE Watch | February 2020 33.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Evolution of China-Sri Lanka Relations
    Evolution of China-Sri Lanka Relations Ms. Gunjan Singh’s research interests include international relations, developments in China and space security. She has pursued her scholarship with various well known think tanks and has authored as well as edited many papers for national and international journals. Presently, she is an Associate Fellow at the VIF, New Delhi. — 2 — Evolution of China-Sri Lanka Relations Evolution of China-Sri Lanka Relations Introduction Over the last ten years China has been paying renewed attention to its ties with Sri Lanka. There has been a large rise in Chinese investments in various projects in Sri Lanka. Beijing has also diplomatically supported Colombo on various issues, especially on charges of human rights violations. In return, Sri Lanka has played an important role in helping China enhance its influence and prestige in the South Asian region. Notably, since taking over as president, Xi Jinping has accorded special focus to this relationship. Xi visited Sri Lanka in September 2014, the first visit by any Chinese President, in 28 years.1 A study of the growing Chinese involvement in Sri Lanka could be divided into two phases. The first would roughly coincide with the end of the Eelam War in May 2009 under President Rajapaksa, to the end of 2014. The next phase would constitute the period from January 2015 when Rajapaksa lost the election and Sirisena assumed the presidency, to till date. The period under Rajapaksa was marked by major initiatives to strengthen the relationship with China. The warmth between China and Sri Lanka grew after 2009 because China was one of the few countries that continued to supply arms and defence equipment to the Sri Lankan Army during its war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
    [Show full text]
  • Urban Solutions and Forge New • 48: Guocoland Singapore • 97(1): Hewlett Packard Enterprise • 51: John Liddle Photography • 97(2): Edimax Partnerships
    Innovation & Collaboration ISSUE 13 • JUL 2018 INNOVATION & COLLABORATION INNOVATION The Centre for Liveable Cities seeks to distil, create and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities. Our work spans four main areas, namely Research, Capability Development, Knowledge Platforms and Advisory. Through these efforts, we aim to inspire and give urban leaders and practitioners the knowledge and support they need to make cities more liveable and sustainable. Discover what CLC does on our digital channels. EXPLORE CONNECT IMMERSE www Interview Ranil Wickremesinghe Vivian Balakrishnan clc.gov.sg CLCsg CLC01SG Opinion Geoffrey West Essay SPECIAL ISSUE Maimunah Mohd Sharif Yuting Xu & Yimin Zhou Mina Zhan & Michael Koh ISSUE 13 • JUL 2018 City Focus Seoul Case Study Singapore London Contact Amaravati [email protected] A bi-annual magazine published by is a bi-annual magazine published by the Centre for Liveable Cities. It aims to equip and inspire city leaders and allied professionals to make cities more liveable and sustainable. THANK YOU Set up in 2008 by the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) has as its mission “to distil, create and share knowledge on liveable and sustainable cities”. CLC’s work spans four main areas— Research, Capability Development, Knowledge Platforms, and Advisory. Through these activities, CLC hopes to provide urban leaders and FOR BEING A PART OF practitioners with the knowledge and support needed to make our cities better. www.clc.gov.sg CLC is a division of JUL 2018 ISSUE 13 • Image Credits Advisory Panel Dr Liu Thai Ker (Chairman) • 4: Sri Lanka Government • 62: Seoul Metropolitan Government • 6(1): hecke61 / Shutterstock • 63: Son/Metro 손진영기자 Chairman • 6(2): Sergii Rudiuk/ Shutterstock • 64: Maxim Schulz - www.mediaserver.hamburg.
    [Show full text]
  • John Keells Holdings Plc | Annual Report 2018/19
    GOING FORW RD JOHN KEELLS HOLDINGS PLC | ANNUAL REPORT 2018/19 GOING FORW RD For over 149 years, John Keells has built and managed a diverse industry portfolio including several industry sectors strategically selected to represent key growth areas of the economy. We are known as an entrepreneurial company constantly seeking new business opportunities to explore, innovate and make our own. That is how we have maintained an even trajectory of expansion and growth throughout every decade of our long history. Over the past few years, we have been investing in several enterprises that we identified as potentially value enhancing, such as the "Cinnamon Life" project, which will be an iconic landmark transforming the city of Colombo. Today, the Group moves into the next phase as our major investments begin to yield results. Yet the road has not always been an easy one and there were times when we had to dig deep, leveraging on our financial strength, operational expertise, business leadership and corporate resilience to withstand the challenges we have had to face. The Easter Sunday attacks of April 2019 will be long remembered for the tragedy and turmoil we all experienced. Yet, we have every confidence in our nation’s proven resilience and capacity to move ahead and prosper, united as one. Going forward, we will continue to harness the value created by our investment strategies; evolving our standards of governance while ensuring that our digital capabilities and innovative approach will drive your Company’s progress to the next level. JOHN
    [Show full text]
  • SVAT RIP Details Report As At
    SVAT RIP Details Report As at - 2020-07-22 TIN No Taxpayer Name SVAT No Project Name 100871157 VIRCO INTERNATIONAL (PRIVATE) LIMITED 11465 - 100871483 CEILAN COIR PRODUCTS 10606 - 100872420 CONSOLIDATED PRINTING (PVT) LTD 10086 - 100872722 THERMOTEX (PVT) LTD 11616 - 100873087 ALPINE CLOTHINGS POLPITHIGAMA (PVT) LTD 10040 - 100874776 O C M LANKA (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10227 PROVIDING CUSTOMISIZED BAGGING SOLUTIONS AT PORT IN COLOMBO 100875713 N D C EXPORTS (PVT) LTD 10163 - 100876507 DEVON TEAS LIMITED 11295 - 100877007 UNIFI TEXTILES COLOMBO (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10578 - 100877449 VENUS EMBELLISHERS (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10232 - 100878704 CONTINENTAL TEA (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10554 - 100878771 AARON TEXTILES LANKA (PRIVATE) LIMITED 11205 - 100879905 TUNA WORKS LANKA (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10742 TUNA WORKS LANKA (PVT) LTD 100880164 KALPITIYA LAGOON RESORT (PRIVATE) LIMITED 11204 KALPITIYA LAGOON RESORT (PRIVATE) LIMITED 100882884 ANDRITZ HYDRO GMBH 10110 - 100883546 DUNDY TRADING COMPANY 10108 - 100885930 PRIME STRUCTURES ENGINEERING LANKA (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10265 - 100888122 CREATIVE ACCESSORIES LANKA (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10146 - 100888980 ICONIC DEVELOPMENTS (PRIVATE) LIMITED 11620 ICONIC DEVOLOPMENTS (PVT) LTD 100889218 KEFRO INTERNATIONAL (PRIVATE) LIMITED 11428 - 100889820 ROYAL FRESH EXPORTS (PRIVATE) LIMITED 10582 - 100890151 ION EXCHANGE (INDIA) LIMITED 11358 ALUTHGAMA, MATHUGAMA, AGALAWATTA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT 100890232 D AND H APPARELS (PRIVATE) LIMITED 11351 - 100890828 JITF - KDESH JV 11632 AMBATHALE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT, ENERGY SAVING COLOMBO
    [Show full text]
  • Terms of Use LKI Is Not Responsible for Errors Or Any Consequences Arising from the Use of Information Contained Herein
    Copyright © 2020 Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) Cover image courtesy of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd Terms of use LKI is not responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained herein. The views expressed in this report are those of the author(s). They are not the institutional views of LKI and do not necessarily reflect the position of any other institution or individual with which an author is affiliated. Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies 24 Horton Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Email: [email protected]. Website: www.lki.lk 2 Acknowledgements This study was undertaken by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) at the request of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. The assignment was to conduct an independent study on the long-term competitiveness of the Port City SEZ and its potential to become a catalyst for services-led growth in Sri Lanka. The research was conducted between mid- October 2019 and end February 2020. A minor revision was undertaken in April. The core LKI study team consisted of Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja (Executive Director, LKI), Mr. Adam Collins (former Research Fellow, LKI) and Ms. Angela Hüttemann (Research Fellow, LKI). Valuable inputs and suggestions were provided by several LKI colleagues including Dr. Dinusha Panditaratne (Non-Resident Fellow and Former Executive Director, LKI), Ms. Anishka De Zylva (Global Scholar, LKI), Ms. Pabasara Kannangara (Research Associate, LKI), and Ms. Chathuni Pabasara (Senior Research Assistant, LKI). Radhika De Silva (Deputy Director, LKI) and her team provided able administrative support for the study.
    [Show full text]
  • TROPICAL AGRICULTURE in CEYLON : I Ens Over Which Dr
    TROPICAL AGRICULTURE IN CEYLON : I ens over which Dr. Thwaites so long presided and “ LOVVCOUNTRY PRODUCTS. ” where Dr. Trimen now reigns. Economic rather than aesthetic principles guiding the choice of situation, an No. I. exceptionally rich piece of forest ground was chosen, A “ p e o p l e ’s PARK ” WANTED FOR COLOMJSO— HENARATGODA not at Colombo or near it, unfortunately, but within GARDENS. half-an-hour's drive or walk from the Henaratgoda “ Kew Point, ” in Colombo, still preserves the me­ station, sixteen miles from Colombo, on the line to mory of the first Botanic Gardens established during Kandy. Here can be seen a rich grove of indigenous the British period in Ceylon, and, much as we ap­ forest, alive with clouds of the great frugiverous brt preciate the taste with which the police quarters in called in popular parlance “ the flying-fox and the Slave Island have been built and the "grounds around visitor might ask the intelligent Sinhalese in charge them laid out, we yet could wish, for the sake of whether he has observed any cases, such as undoubtedly residents in the capital of the island, as well as that occurred at Madras when trees the resort of those of the multiplied visitors we may soon expect, that curious animals were denuded of leaves, of deaths something more than the name and a few noble trees amongst the big ba’s from sun-stroke ! But the visitor had come down to us of this generation from the will need the time between 8 a. m., when his train ar­ Ceylon namesake of the great and justly celebrated rives from Colombo, and 10, when the down train Kew Gardens.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case of Colombo Port City Development Project
    Infrastructure Development in Sri Lanka A case of Colombo Port City Development Project S. Jayamathy MEP19105 Sri Lanka Outline • Introduction to the country • Infrastructure development in Sri Lanka • About Colombo City • About Colombo Port City Development Project (CPCP) • Evolution of the CPCP • Objectives of the CPCP • Stakeholders & their expectations • Economic Impact of the CPCP • Issues & Challenges of the CPCP • Recommendations • References Source: https://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/port-city-colombo- master-plan-colombo/ Introduction to the country: Sri Lanka • An island with 22 million population • Famous for cultural and nature based tourism • 500 years of colonial rule ended in 1948. • Civil war between two ethnic groups during 1983 to 2009. Political Structure •Unitary state with democratic government •Follows Westminster model of Parliamentary government with a French style Executive presidency at the top & a system of provincial government underneath with a public sector to support the government. Source : www.leisuremarks.com Introduction to the country: Sri Lanka (cont.) Economic Structure • The economy is based on exports of cash crops, GDP per capita (current US$) 4500 processed commodities and garments as well as 4000 tourism industry. 3500 3000 • Agriculture 7.8%, Industry 26.9% and service 56.8% 2500 (CBSL, 2018) 2000 • Economic growth - 3.2%; Unemployment: 4.2%; FDI 1500 1000 Inflow; $1.6 billion (CBSL, 2019) 500 • An upper-middle-income country with GDP per capita 0 USD 4102.48 (CBSL, 2018) 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 • Policy framework of the government: “Empowered Sri Source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.C Lanka.” & “Vision 2025” D?locations=LK Infrastructure development in Sri Lanka Key Players Good ones and Bad ones • Dept.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020R-Port-City-SEZ-22.05.20.Pdf
    Copyright © 2020 Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) Cover image courtesy of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd Terms of use LKI is not responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained herein. The views expressed in this report are those of the author(s). They are not the institutional views of LKI and do not necessarily reflect the position of any other institution or individual with which an author is affiliated. Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies 24 Horton Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Email: [email protected]. Website: www.lki.lk 2 Acknowledgements This study was undertaken by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI) at the request of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. The assignment was to conduct an independent study on the long-term competitiveness of the Port City SEZ and its potential to become a catalyst for services-led growth in Sri Lanka. The research was conducted between mid- October 2019 and end February 2020. A minor revision was undertaken in April. The core LKI study team consisted of Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja (Executive Director, LKI), Mr. Adam Collins (former Research Fellow, LKI) and Ms. Angela Hüttemann (Research Fellow, LKI). Valuable inputs and suggestions were provided by several LKI colleagues including Dr. Dinusha Panditaratne (Non-Resident Fellow and Former Executive Director, LKI), Ms. Anishka De Zylva (Global Scholar, LKI), Ms. Pabasara Kannangara (Research Associate, LKI), and Ms. Chathuni Pabasara (Senior Research Assistant, LKI). Radhika De Silva (Deputy Director, LKI) and her team provided able administrative support for the study.
    [Show full text]
  • China's Belt and Road Initiative: Redefining Development and International Relations in Greece and Sri Lanka
    CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE Redefining Development and International Relations in Greece and Sri Lanka Alena Clark Advisor: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Professor of Global Studies and Geography Readers: Dr. Kari Jensen, Associate Professor of Global Studies and Geography, and Ramiro Campos, Adjunct Professor of Geography Honors Thesis in Global Studies, Spring 2020 Hofstra University Department of Global Studies and Geography Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Globalization, Neoliberalism, and China ........................................................................................ 5 China’s Belt and Road Initiative ..................................................................................................... 9 The Narratives of the BRI ......................................................................................................... 13 The BRI and Greece...................................................................................................................... 17 The Piraeus Port in Athens, Greece .......................................................................................... 20 The Five Areas of Cooperation ............................................................................................. 22 The BRI and Sri Lanka ................................................................................................................. 30 The Hambantota Port and Colombo Port
    [Show full text]
  • Strengthening Environmental Reviews in Urban Development
    STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT Urban Legal Case Studies: Volume 6 Strengthening Environmental Reviews in Urban Development Copyright © United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), 2018 Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat off the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries, or regarding its economic system or degree of development. The analysis, conclusions and recommendations of this document do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme or its Member States. References to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the United Nations, and a failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval. Excerpts from the text may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. HS Number: HS/076/18E ISBN Number (Series): 978-92-1-133365-7 ISBN Number (Volume): 978-92-1-132816-5 Acknowledgements: Coordinator: Robert Lewis-Lettington Task Manager: Gianluca Crispi Editors: Katherine Cashman and Victoria Quinlan Chapter Authors: Main findings: Comparative Analysis of the Case Studies Fiona Darroch A Case Study of Environmental
    [Show full text]
  • Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
    PARLIAMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA COLOMBO PORT CITY ECONOMIC COMMISSION ACT, No. 11 OF 2021 [Certified on 27th of May, 2021] Printed on the Order of Government Published as a Supplement to Part II of the Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka of May 28, 2021 PRINTED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, SRI LANKA TO BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS BUREAU, COLOMBO 5 Price : Rs. 90.00 Postage : Rs. 45.00 This Act can be downloaded from www.documents.gov.lk Colombo Port City Economic Commission 1 Act, No. 11 of 2021 [Certified on 27th of May, 2021] L.D.—O. 4/2021 AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE; TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION EMPOWERED TO GRANT REGISTRATIONS, LICENCES, AUTHORISATIONS AND OTHER APPROVALS TO CARRY ON BUSINESSES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES IN AND FROM SUCH ZONE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF A SINGLE WINDOW INVESTMENT FACILITATOR FOR THE PROMOTION OF EASE OF DOING BUSINESS WITHIN SUCH ZONE; TO DETERMINE AND GRANT INCENTIVES AND OTHER EXEMPTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF BUSINESSES OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE WITHIN SUCH ZONE; TO ENTER INTO TRANSACTIONS AS PROVIDED, OF GOVERNMENT MARKETABLE LAND AND PROJECT COMPANY MARKETABLE LAND AND PREMISES AND CONDOMINIUM PARCELS STANDING THEREON WITHIN SUCH ZONE; TO PROMOTE AND FACILITATE INTERNATIONAL TRADE, SHIPPING LOGISTIC OPERATIONS, OFFSHORE BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING, CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS OPERATIONS, REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS, TOURISM, AND OTHER ANCILLARY SERVICES WITHIN SUCH ZONE; TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTRE WITHIN SUCH ZONE; TO PROMOTE URBAN AMENITY OPERATIONS AND THE SETTLEMENT OF A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY WITHIN SUCH Z ONE; AND FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO.
    [Show full text]
  • Creation of New Urban Land by Reclaiming the Sea in Colombo
    98 | Strengthening Environmental Reviews in Urban Development Creation of New Urban Land by Reclaiming the Sea in Colombo 04 Port City, Sri Lanka Asanga Gunawansa View to the seaside road in downtown Colombo, Sri Lanka @Shutterstock View to the seaside road in downtown Colombo, Sri Lanka is a medium sized island state with approximately 22 million people. The island has a total area of 65,610 km², with 64,740 km² of land and 870 km² of water. The coastline is 1,340 km long. After nearly 500 years of colonial rule, Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. Though the country is rich with natural resources, development initiatives by various successive governments in the post-independence era have not borne much fruit, mainly due to the civil and communal strife that has lasted more than 25 years. The commercial capital, Colombo, is an overpopulated, unplanned old coastal city of Sri Lanka). At that time, he a presented a conceptual plan to develop the Western which badly needs expansion. If the declared ambitions of every elected government Province of Sri Lanka as a megapolis to the visiting Japanese Prime Minister, Toshiki since 1977 are to be realized - i.e. to develop Colombo as a regional commercial Kaifu, with the aim of getting Japanese assistance. However, development of the hub - the expansion of the central business district is a must. It is against this concept came to a halt with the change of government in 1994. Subsequently, backdrop that the idea of reclaiming land was first mooted and considered by the when the United National Party, then headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe, came government almost 25 years ago.
    [Show full text]