Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka, addressing media yesterday at the Department of Government Information, said the government had no special reason to halt the Colombo Port City Project and would go ahead with it.
He was referring to protest by fishermen in Negombo yesterday, alleging that dredging and sand mining from the seas around in their areas for the Colombo Port City Project was depriving them of a livelihood.
Minister Ranawaka said that if the fishing communities were being adversely affected by the sand mining they would be compensated. He said required monies had been allocated already towards that purpose. The Minister also said that any decision on the project would be made taking scientific fact into consideration, not slogans. The fishermen are continuing their protest today.
