Colombo Port City: reclaiming land from the sea, threatening fishing communities and inhabitants by contestedports published on 2021-09-27T12:37:55Z This podcast was commissioned by Karachi Beach Radio and produced by sea is the new land, in 2020. In January 2016, fisherfolk, civic rights activists, religious leaders and concerned citizens took to the streets of Colombo in Sri Lanka. They were protesting against the construction of the Colombo Port City, a project by the state-owned Chinese company CCCC, part of the One Belt One Road initiative. As well as expanding the port infrastructure, the plans involved the construction of a new financial district and special economic zone to be built on a large area of reclaimed land next to Colombo’s existing waterfront. The People’s Movement Against Port City organised a range of actions, as well as a fisherfolk hunger strike. The group demanded the suspension of the controversial project, alleging the severe environmental, social and political implications for coastal communities and whole marine areas. More info at: https://karachibeachradio.net/blogpost.php?id=8 Interviews were conducted in December 2019. Main voices: - Herman Kumara - Subashini Deepa