It is also against the law for the Chinese company to conduct the project, instead of its proposer, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

The reclaiming activities began on 16 September, 2014, although the coast conservation and resources management department gave its approval to the SLPA on October 23.

Even that approval accompanies 42 conditions to be fulfilled by the SLPA.

Meanwhile, the SLPA has mentioned in the EIA the extent of land to be reclaimed as 200 hectares, but the Chinese company had proposed it to be 233 hectares.

However, an addendum to the original EIA submitted in December 2015 by the megapolis and western region development ministry mentions the extent of land to be reclaimed as 269 hectares.

However, the SLPA does not come under that particular ministry.

Meanwhile, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday the project would be taken forward.

Speaking to the media in Switzerland, he invited Chinese investors to come to the island.