He added that the government was having an extensive environmental impact assessment report that will also be placed in the public domain for feedback from the people. If the people want it to continue, then the government will cancel all agreements signed regarding the project and sign fresh agreements with the China Harbour Engineering Company and other institutions.

When this matter was taken up before the Bench comprising President of the Appeal Court, Vijith Malalgoda and Justice H.C.J. Madawala, Attorney-at- law Rasindranath Dabare submitted to Court that his client, the Centre for Environmental Justice, filed this petition in order to protect the environment.

According to the petitioner, the project was begun sans consideration of the extensive Environment Impact Assessment. Since this project will cause very unfavourable environmental hazards, the Petitioner prayed Court to only suspend the project until a very extensive Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted to the Court.

The Court ordered the Attorney General to submit all relevant documents with regard to the Cabinet Decision on the City Project and put off the petition for further hearing to 9 September.

(ceylontoday.lk)