Continuing with its various initiatives to uplift communities and create opportunities in Sri Lanka, CHEC Port City Colombo (CPCC), the sole investor and master developer of Port City Colombo (PCC), donated 2,500 translated copies of its inspiring and educational Children’s Storybook, “City Rising from the Ocean”, which has been translated into the Sinhala and Tamil Languages. The book was originally published in English in 2021, when 2,000 copies of the book were donated to the National Library of Sri Lanka, with the intention of inspiring future generations through an engaging story about developing Port City Colombo as the first ever master planned city built on reclaimed land thriving to drive the economic and social development of Sri Lanka. Alongside the book donation, CPCC also undertook the refurbishment of the Chinese Book Corner of the National Library to mark the occasion.

The donation of the translated copies this year, builds on CPCC’s efforts to make a positive impact within communities through promoting reading and igniting a passion for learning amongst young minds. Incidentally, this occasion also serves to mark both PCC’s 8th anniversary, while also celebrating Children’s Day in Sri Lanka. The set of 2,500 translated copies of “City Rising from the Ocean” were officially handed over to Mr. W. Sunil, the Director General of the National Library, by a delegation of Senior Officials representing CPCC, led by Mr. Shalaka Wijeyaratne, Assistant Executive Director – CIFC Development at CPCC. Also present at the official handing over ceremony were, Ms. Padama Bandaranayake, Director – National Library, Ms. Iromi Wijesundara, Assistant Director, Extension Services, Ms. Anoma Wijesinghe, Assistant Director, Bibliographic Control Division, and Mr. Maitre Jayasundara, Assistant Director – Library Research Division.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Wijeyaratne said, “Port City Colombo is more than just a place. It’s the hopeful realisation of an idea. The idea that you can start with nothing, and through ingenuity and determination, you can build something magnificent. This is the idea and ethos that we want to inculcate in our next generation, which is why it gives us great pleasure to present this donation to the National Library, reinforcing our ongoing efforts, while using the opportunity to mark International Children’s Day. By inspiring, nurturing and empowering young minds, we envision a bright and prosperous future for Sri Lanka, where Sri Lankans and global citizens can thrive, together.”

Since the beginning of 2022, as construction continues to be completed at various public and private spaces, PCC has begun gradually opening up to the public. In fact, soon after the official opening, a remarkable 700,000 people visited the Marina Promenade at PCC in just two months from January to February. A total of 91 hectares of land has been allocated for public use within the PCC, including 53 acres of green spaces, 2km of beach and 14 acres for a central park, along with walkways, waterways and park connecting paths.

PCC is the single largest FDI project so far in Sri Lanka and an iconic collaboration between Sri Lanka and China. With the completion of reclamation and urban infrastructure in 2019 and the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act enacted since May 2021, PCC is poised to become the Special Economic Zone for financial and modern services in the thriving region of South Asia. CPCC, the sole investor and master developer of PCC, has invested in the reclamation and infrastructure of PCC amounting to USD 1.4 billion. The expected FDI generated within PCC for real assets development is USD 15 billion. PCC has provided more than 8,000 employment opportunities during the construction period and is about to create over 83,000 quality jobs in the future, accommodating an overall living population 273,000. It will also create GDP $ 13.7 billion per annum when operational.