15^th December 2017

Director General

Department of Coast Conservation

4th Floor, Ministry of Fisheries Building,

New Secretariat, Maligawatta, Maradana, Colombo 10

SRI LANKA

Dear sir,

Subject: Comments on EIA of Development Activities and Infrastructure Facilities within the Reclaimed Land Area of Proposed Colombo Port City Development Project

Centre for Environmental Justice is a public interest environmental organization based in Sri Lanka established in 2004. We herewith send our comments to the above EIA under the request for public comments as per the section16 of the Coast Conservation Act (No. 57 of 1981).

In principle, this EIA process is a greenwash and we know that you are unable to make any changes to the project design or project itself as it is already beyond your capacity. However, its our moral duty as the citizens who still believe that participation in development decision is a right gained through the struggles for many years.  Therefore, we would share our concerns as below. 

AIR QUALITY

EIA report estimates that daily public transport trips in the Port City will be increased by about 300,000 which will add more vehicular emissions to the air than the existing. Even though emission free modes of transportation are promoted within the port city, still there would be a considerable increase in emission in the others areas.

It further states,

Read the full comment here.

Comments on EIA of Development Activities and Infrastructure Facilities within the Reclaimed Land Area of Proposed Colombo Port City Development Project