Book Launch of the “Foreign Policy Perspectives: Port City Colombo and International Financial Centre” Edited Volume Published by the Ambassadors Forum.
The Ambassadors Forum launched the fourth instalment of the “Foreign Policy Perspectives” book series titled “Foreign Policy Perspectives: Port City Colombo and International Financial Centre” at the Board of Investment auditorium on the 8th of April 2021. This book launch was jointly organised by the Ambassadors Forum and the Board of Investment.
The event was graced by Mr. RMP Rathnayake, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Mr. Sanjaya Mohottala, Chairman of the Board of Investment, Amb. Sarath Wijesinghe PC, President of the Ambassadors Forum and the Chief Editor of the publication, Mr. Jiang Houliang, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd along with other distinguished guests and contributors to the publication.
Contributors to the publication also made presentations on their respective book chapters with General Daya Ratnayake, Chairman of the Ports Authority speaking on the national security aspects of the Port City in relation to securing infrastructure and national assets from external and internal threats.
Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy gave his views on the increasing interconnectedness of global trade and how Sri Lanka should expand its horizons in exploring deep sea assets in the Indian Ocean.
Professor Jeeva Niriella of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo cited extensive case law relating to environmental impact of development to convey that such impacts can no longer be taken for granted when assuring the viability of large scale development projects such as the Colombo Port City.
Amb. D Laksiri Mendis, UN Legal Expert and former Ambassador gave an overview of the necessary legal framework needed for the Port City to function as a Special Economic Zone and the need for supporting legislation on money laundering and other financial crimes to counter the misuse financial concessions given.
Professor Sirimal Abeyaratne Chairman of the Monetary Policy Consultative Committee of the Central Bank spoke of the increasing use of Special Economic Zones by states to attract foreign investors and how Sri Lanka has the late comer’s advantage when implementing the Port City project by making use of the latest technology, intellectual resources and global trends to make the project a success.
BRISL Briefly, highlighting the shifts of Colombo Port City from the inception to the current status of the project. Important milestone as the change of agreement in 2015 and the concerns over the environmental and legal side of the project is presented in an emerging manner. Moreover, the 2040 view of the project will be followed by the topic ‘Synergy between Belt & Road Initiative and Colombo Port City’ highlighting the importance of cooperating under China’s Belt & Road Initiative is highlighted.
The book will sold at a price of LKR 3000/= and will be available to be purchased at the Ambassadors Forum’s office at 27/14, Rosemead Place, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka. International or home delivery could be arranged by contacting the Ambassadors Forum on the numbers provided (Postage Not Included).