Environmental impact due to port City project: Archbishop seeks dialogue with President, PM

I am also seriously concerned about this project as it might affect not only the livelihood of our fishermen, but also cause ecological damage to the coastal areas and affect the continental shelf drastically

Colombo’s Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith who had expressed concern on the alleged environmental impact by the Port City project has urged President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to start a dialogue with the fishing community in connection with the project.

Cardinal Ranjith in a statement said representations have been made to him by fishermen and people’s organizations in the Negombo and Dikowita coastal belt, expressing grave concern at the massive dredging of sand from the seashore planned for the filing up of the Port City Project. He said they were terrified about the huge operation now being prepared for this and the possible ecological disaster that might happen within this area. Quoting the fishermen he said already the areas in which the fish lay the eggs and are breeding grounds are being severely affected by this sand mining.

“I am also seriously concerned about this project as it might affect not only the livelihood of our fishermen, but also cause ecological damage to the coastal areas and affect the continental shelf drastically. I therefore make this appeal to President and the Prime Minister to take a good look at this project once again and to address the concerns of the fishermen, whose livelihood will be negatively affected. I am also told that large areas of the coastal belt South of Colombo are undergoing erosion. Hence, I would sincerely call for a frank discussion between the Government and the fishermen’s organizations in order to address their concerns,” Cardinal said.

“This problem arose in the first place as a result of the previous Government rushing into the relevant agreement without a proper environmental impact assessment study. It is not too late even now to rectify the situation for the sake of the future well being of the fisher folk and the environment,” he added.

This statement comes amidst allegations that Cardinal Ranjith was silent on the adverse impact the project was going to cause to the fishermen in Negombo who are mostly Catholics.