The Cabinet has decided to continue with the Chinese government assisted Colombo Port City Project. This decision has been taken at the Cabinet meeting today, said Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

New President Maithripala Sirisena is to discuss this project with China during his visit in March this year.

Minister Senaratne also said that the draft of the National Drugs Policy has also been approved by the Cabinet and would be presented to Parliament shortly.

China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) is one of the major investors in the Colombo Port City project which would reclaim land on the Colombo shoreline. The company will also own 20 hectares of the land on completion and have a 99 year lease on another 170 hectares, the total extent of the development being 233 hectares.

This project funded through a loan from EXIM Bank of China became one of the most criticized during the run-up to the 08 January Presidential election.