The complaint lodged at the Human Rights Commission by several civil organisations, over the impact of the Colombo Port City Project, was taken up on Monday, March 9.

The complaint was lodged by religious leaders, environmental organisations, women organisations and several civil organisations. The complaint was taken up on Monday. Representatives of the Port Authority stood as respondents.

Representatives from the Central Environmental Authority, Port Development Authority, Coast Conservation Department and the National Physical Planning Department were also present.

Ravindra Kariyawasam from Centre for Environmental and Nature Studies says that they have made it clear that the first generation environmental rights will cease to exist if the construction of the port city continues. He went onto note that the defendants of the case were the Port Authority adding that they have accepted that the land reclamation was illegal according to the ports ordinance.

He noted that permission cannot be granted for land reclamation under the ordinance. Chairman of All Island Fisherman’s Trade Union Association, Aruna Roshantha, expressing his views said that certain ministers and powerful persons in the government want this project to be continued.

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