Dr Sarath Obeysekera

https://www.gossiplankanews.com/2025/12/rethinking-the-colombo-north-port-project-after-the-kelani-floods.html?m=1

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Dear Sir / Madam,

During my tenure at SLLRDC, and subsequently while serving in senior professional and advisory capacities related to port and shipyard development, I repeatedly expressed serious concerns regarding the adequacy of the Kelani River outfall and associated drainage infrastructure in Northern Colombo.

Specifically, I wish to place on record the following:

1. Kelani River Outfall Capacity

The present Kelani River outfall is hydraulically inadequate to safely discharge peak flood flows. This limitation has long been evident, particularly during high tide conditions, resulting in backwater effects and prolonged flooding upstream.

2. Northern Colombo Outfall via Bloemendahl Tunnel

There exists an additional major outfall from Colombo North passing through the Bloemendahl tunnel beneath the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation premises. This outfall further constrains discharge during flood events and requires urgent reassessment within an integrated flood-management framework.

3. Modera Shipyard and Institutional Decisions

When the Port of Colombo engaged AECOM and visited my shipyard, there were attempts to threaten acquisition of the Modera Shipyard. At that time, I formally objected, warning that the land in question plays a critical role in flood conveyance and coastal hydraulics.

Subsequently, the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation proceeded with eviction, despite these technical warnings.

4. Warnings as Port Chairman (Short Stint)

Even during my brief tenure as Chairman of the Port, I reiterated that ignoring river hydraulics and flood paths in favour of isolated port expansion would result in severe consequences for Northern Colombo.

5. Recent Flooding – Validation of These Concerns

The recent flooding at Nagalagam Street, where water levels remained stagnant for prolonged periods, has now conclusively proven these warnings. The issue is not rainfall alone, but restricted outfall capacity and poor flood evacuation.

Key Recommendation

Rather than prioritising construction of a North Port at this stage, I strongly advise the Government to:

• Acquire and reserve the core island and adjacent lands on the northern side of the Kelani River outfall
• Substantially widen and re-engineer the Kelani outfall, including tidal control and sediment management
• Develop an integrated Kelani–Colombo North flood discharge master plan, coordinated across Ports, Irrigation, Urban Development, and Fisheries authorities

This intervention will provide long-term flood protection to Colombo North, safeguard national infrastructure, and prevent recurrent economic losses far exceeding the cost of land acquisition and hydraulic improvement.

I respectfully urge the Government to treat this as a matter of national importance and to act decisively, learning from recent events rather than reacting to future disasters.

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera