By Paul Topping

Every day for the last three years, when at home, I’ve looked out from my apartment balcony facing the Port City. This 269-hectare site is an amazing achievement and already has much to celebrate. What you know of it today and what it will be by 2040 is like comparing chalk and cheese. So much is set to happen in the next fifteen years. This is a challenge as the country does not have a good record of building anything major on time. Examples include Cinamon Life, ITC, and Altair. Port City is an enormous project. 

Today, cars stream into Port City with people who want to simply enjoy the beaches, the sea, the food outlets, relax, and go to musical events. For all those people and operators, “the times they are a-changing”. The land infill, and then the roads and bridges, are well developed. The master plan is kicking in for the planned land usage. The current short-term leases are ending, with private housing and beaches being created. 

I rang a senior member of the Port City team, but the line was engaged. I got a call back a few minutes later. Considering they didn’t know who was ringing, it was a great response. On visiting the Port City offices, they shared the vision with me for the Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ). There is also a large model to demonstrate how the area will look in 2040. 

As an avid walker of the Port City, the breeze is amazing, and it’s all flat land. Ninety-minute walks, with refreshments halfway around the open areas, are a pleasure. These walks may well become restricted, hopefully not, especially for the many people who come to the capital in part to see and walk the Port City. We often find ourselves near what I used to call the Chinese area. They’ve leased 116 hectares, which is actually where most Port City workers are currently living.

Today, however, it’s great to see so many cars parked in front of the north and west-facing beaches. Rows of cafés, restaurants, event tents, walkers, strollers, visitors and runners make the place lively. It’s soon to go as the master plan kicks in.

Many people stand on the bridge among the lights to take selfies. 

The duty-free unit, which serves the frequent Chinese tourists and workers well, is currently only a once-a-year facility for Sri Lankans. Not logical, as they can buy as frequently as they fly in and out of the airport.

There is a kart racing area, which one assumes will disappear soon, as it’s not on the plan. The catamarans in the harbour do sunrise and sunset cruises or trips to Mirrisa and beyond. I’m sure we will see a lot more boats calling in if the harbour meets international standards. The yacht club and other buildings are being started, but may take a year or so to complete. 

I look forward to bringing my little sailing boat, “Tit Willow”, here someday from Bolgoda Lake. I may get to use it more, though I’m not sure I’ll get the amazing service I get as a member of the Yacht Club. One disappointment to me is seeing, whilst walking the Port, a pack of dogs roaming the island. The entrance for walkers only has been closed for a year, and was the easiest access and quickest walk to the arched bridge. 

Given the very recent government changes and revisions to new operations in the Port City development, the process and interest could slow down. With reduced tax benefits, fewer contract years offered, and tighter regulations, interest from new investors may decline.

The focus of the Port City development is to create commercial, entertainment, medical, education and lifestyle opportunities for investors. In the long-term plan, it’s hoped the 46 large lease areas will be developed. Port City’s population will be in excess of 270,000, creating 143,000 jobs. The cornerstone of this plan is obviously a commercial activity. 

I’ve heard lots of people criticising the whole Port City concept, mostly from those who have made little effort to understand it. In reality, it’s the biggest opportunity and plan going forward for  Colombo, even Sri Lanka, in the decades ahead. On its completion date, however, we will all have to wait and hope. See you in Port City.