News Today: Proposed Galle Harbour Port City Halted Amid Environmental Concerns

The proposed Galle Harbour Port City has been officially halted, putting an end to the controversial project that aimed to reclaim 44.97 hectares of land for tourism and recreational real estate. This ambitious venture also included plans for a cruise terminal, a 150-metre berth for superyachts and passenger cruise ships, and the use of 1.9 million metric tonnes of dredged materials from the Bay of Galle seabed.

Despite its grand vision, the project faced intense criticism from ecologists, oceanologists, environmental organizations, and key stakeholders. Many highlighted the potential for severe environmental damage, including threats to marine ecosystems and disruption to the natural seabed. However, certain ministers from the previous government remained determined to see the project through.

Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage emphasized that the Galle Harbour Development Project lacked proper scientific planning. The selection of large, environmentally sensitive areas of the ocean for land reclamation was a significant point of contention. “After studying the project, we identified it as an unwholesome venture. Previous experiences with similar projects have demonstrated disastrous impacts. As such, we will not proceed with this initiative,” Deputy Minister Gamage stated.

Adding to the public outcry, a team of stakeholders from Galle recently met with Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage at the NPP office in Galle to express their concerns about the proposed Galle Port City Project. Minister Hewage assured the group that the current NPP government has decided not to move forward with the project, aligning with public and environmental interests.