At a media briefing yesterday (09) in Maradana, its activists charged the project would amount to a national crime.

Thilak Kariyawasam said a port city would adversely affect both the environment and the livelihood of the fisheries community.

The environmental impact assessment is corrupt and has weak points, charged environmentalist Sajeewa Chamikara.

Removal of sand will destroy the coral reefs and the digging for granite needed to reclaim the area will cause damage to the inland environment, it was warned.