The current government has announced its decision not to proceed with the proposed Galle Harbour Port City project, initially planned by the previous administration. Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources, Rathna Gamage, confirmed this during an inspection tour of the Galle Fishery Harbour.
The proposed Galle Harbour Port City project involved:
- Reclaiming 44.97 hectares of land for tourism and recreational real estate.
- Building a cruise terminal and a 150-metre berth for super yachts and passenger ships.
- Dredging 1.9 million metric tonnes of material from the Bay of Galle seabed.
However, significant concerns were raised by ecologists, environmental organisations, and other stakeholders regarding the project’s potential environmental and ecological impact. Issues included the selection of environmentally sensitive ocean areas for land reclamation and the lack of scientific planning.
Deputy Minister Gamage stated that the project posed unacceptable risks, citing previous negative experiences with similar ventures. “We have studied the project thoroughly and concluded that it is not a wholesome initiative. Therefore, we will not proceed with it,” he asserted.
Local stakeholders in Galle have also expressed strong opposition to the project. A meeting was held at the NPP office in Galle, where Deputy Minister of Vocational Education, Nalin Hewage, assured the community that the government would not advance the project.
The government’s decision aligns with its focus on sustainable development and environmental preservation. This move also demonstrates responsiveness to community concerns and a commitment to ensuring that future development projects adhere to rigorous environmental and scientific standards.
The shelving of the Galle Harbour Port City project marks a departure from the previous government’s approach, underscoring the current administration’s prioritisation of ecological balance and long-term sustainability.
