A city rising: How Port City Colombo secures Sri Lanka's tomorrow

SRI Lanka is a land of endurance. Over the many trials that our country has faced over its history, the hallmark of our people is their resilience. Through the chaos of conflict and varying crises, Sri Lankans have always rallied to creating a better future for the nation, placing their hopes in its people and projects, driving the country on a steady march towards prosperity.

- BY NEVANKA JAYATILLEKE

Today, hope is no longer an intangible phenomenon. The visions of previous decades are becoming a reality. It is no longer a mere hope to imagine a new city rising by the sea, bringing in foreign investments, creating thousands of jobs, and placing Sri Lanka on the map as a hub of business, innovation, and tourism in South Asia. It is not a distant dream. This is what Port City Colombo is becoming, and it is one of the most significant opportunities for Sri Lanka in decades.

Why Port City Colombo matters

For many years, it was common to hear about projects that promise prosperity, but the results often feel out of reach for ordinary people. Port City Colombo is different. It is being built entirely through foreign investment, with no burden on Sri Lankan taxpayers or debt on our children’s shoulders. It is the single largest foreign direct investment (FDI) project in Sri Lanka’s history, and our most significant public-private partnership (PPP) to date, showing that despite past challenges, investors believe in the potential of our island.

Port City Colombo isn’t just about luxurious buildings or high-end offices. It is about jobs, income, and opportunities. Once fully operational, it will create over 143,000 direct jobs in sectors like IT, shipping, finance, tourism, and professional services, while creating hundreds of thousands more indirectly during its construction and growth. These are not just jobs in construction, but sustainable, long-term careers in fields that will shape the modern economy of Sri Lanka.

That is the vision that is presented by Port City Colombo. An outcome that brings growth to all of Sri Lanka’s people, while propelling Colombo forward as the crown jewel of South Asia.

Building a city for the people