'Chinese governing Port City - not an issue!' ; PB's Lawyer tells Court

Colombo (News 1st); President's Counsel Romesh De Silva on Wednesday (21) told the Supreme Court that one should not have any negative attitude towards the Chinese nationals operating the Colombo Port City Economic Zone, considering the fact that China is Sri Lanka's long-standing friend.

"It is something that Sri Lankans can be happy about to a certain extent," De Silva told the five-judge bench led by the Chief Justice, that is considering the petitions filed challenging the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill. President's Counsel Romesh De Silva said it is amusing to note that counsels who are making allegations that the Colombo Port City Economic Zone will become a Chinese Colony, do so while they are within the Supreme Court, which is a donation by the Government of China. Romesh De Silva PC is appearing for President's Secretary P. B. Jayasundara, as an intervening petitioner. "The members of the Port City Economic Commission are appointed by the President, therefore it does not violate the constitution in any manner," the President's Counsel added in his submissions. Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, a member of the Five-judge bench said that according to the petitioners' certain clauses in the Port City Economic Commission Bill are inconsistent with the constitution and questioned President's Counsel Romesh De Silva if he would agree that such clauses need to be amended, to which the President's Counsel responded in the affirmative. Romesh De Silva PC in his submissions also pointed out that if one feels that an individual appointed to the commission by the President is not suitable to hold such a position, one has the right to follow a judicial process against it, adding the Colombo Port City Economic Zone falls under the ambit of the Law of Sri Lanka.