The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill that created quite a controversy over the past week has been passed by the Sri Lankan parliament. However, the government incorporated the changes suggested by the country’s supreme court in the bill that aims to attract Chinese investment in Colombo Port City development.  

Multiple petitions had been filed in the apex court, challenging the validity of the bill. The court suggested some changes and asked the government to remove certain controversial clauses, to make the bill constitutionally valid. 

The Sri Lankan parliament debated on the bill for two days and passed the amended version of the bill on Thursday. 

Faced with fierce resistance, even from its supporters, the government had lately come under pressure to amend the bill. Opposition lawmakers had earlier alleged that the bill, if enacted in its old version, could have turned Colombo Port City into a “Chinese colony”.

Sajith Premadasa, the opposition leader, had warned the government of possible FATF actions on the charges of money laundering.

An Economic Commission will be set up to deal with all investment proposals in the Port City zone, and the commission has been granted far-ranging power along with certain judicial immunity. 

The Colombo Port City is a dream project of Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

(SAM)