UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena 

• Suggests to re-draft a new Bill with broader consultation 
• Says Supreme Court determination protected local businesses from unfair practices

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday called on the Government to withdraw the Port City Bill and re-draft a new bill with broader consultation.

“We welcome the determination by the Supreme Court in regard to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission bill, but a mismanaged Port City will not contribute to the national economy as anticipated,” UNP member and former parliamentarian Sandith Samarasinghe told journalists yesterday at a press conference, where he was joined by the UNP Chairman and former Minister Vajira Abeywardena.

“The Port City has the potential for encouraging economic growth in the country. However, if it is mismanaged then it will fail. We urge the Government to withdraw this bill and re-draft a new bill with the assistance of relevant sectors and the Opposition,” Samarasinghe urged.

Abeywardena said the UNP was the only political party to challenge the legislation in the Supreme Court. “The UNP believed that this Bill had weakened the sovereignty of Parliament, the commission would have not been answerable to either Parliament or the Cabinet of Ministers. The amendments proposed by the Supreme Court have addressed these concerns, and the commission is once again answerable to Parliament.

“According to the Bill, Sri Lankans would have been treated as second class citizens when visiting the Port City. We would have required permission when entering the region. We would have been subject to laws that were enacted by a commission, which comprised of unelected officials. We have ensured that this will not happen. Any laws that will be in effect in the Port City will have to be approved by Parliament.”

Samarasinghe explained that the local business community in Sri Lanka was now protected from unfair practices following the Supreme Court decision on the bill. “Under the original bill, the commission was empowered with providing tax exemptions to foreign companies. The benefits enjoyed by these companies operating within the Port City could have been extended to any investments made by these firms elsewhere in the country. This would have left local businesses at a disadvantage. However, now these exemptions must be approved by Parliament, and are applicable only within the Port City.”

The UNP, which managed to secure a single national list seat in Parliament at the last general elections, is yet to nominate a candidate to represent the constituents that voted for them. The failure to nominate a member of Parliament thus far has left the UNP unable to contribute to the debate about the Port City Bill in Parliament this week.  

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