📈 SOC Flags Rs. 52 Bn Port City Highway Delays & Governance Gaps

Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Infrastructure has raised serious concerns over severe cost overruns, missing timelines, and unresolved municipal issues surrounding Port City Colombo infrastructure. • Rising Infrastructure Costs & Delays • The Port Access Elevated Highway cost nearly doubled to Rs. 52 Bn from the 2015 estimate of Rs. 28 Bn. • Officials failed to present project completion timelines, ROI, or economic/social impact assessments. • 3 of the 4 highway ramps remain stalled at planning and land acquisition stages. • Ramp 3 (Kelani Bridge to Colombo Port) expects completion this year, cutting access time to under 30 minutes. • Land Use & Municipal Governance • 51% of Port City land is designated for residential use, with the balance for commercial & retail activities. • SOC pressed for immediate clarity on local government jurisdiction, resident voting rights, and Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) service pricing (waste, sewage, firefighting). • FDI & Trade Pipeline • Officials estimate US$ 700 Mn in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for Port City this year, but could not provide specific details on the investment pipeline.