Economy & Growth

Vice chancellor of flinders university visits port city Colombo

Vice Chancellor of Flinders University, Professor Colin J. Stirling, recently visited Port City Colombo as part of the ongoing discussions regarding the educational investment opportunities available within this visionary master-planned city development. He was accompanied by a delegation of officials, including Dr. Harsha Alles, Chairman, Gateway International School Group. The delegation was welcomed by Thulci Aluwihare, Deputy Managing Director, and other representatives from CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. Professor Stirling’s visit to Port City Colombo was preceded by Flinders University’s milestone meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe regarding the set-up of an offshore international campus, which took place earlier that day.

The Flinders University delegation also met with Anura Dissanayake, the Secretary to the Prime Minister, and recently appointed Commission Member at the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, and Hon. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health.

The visit encompassed a curated tour and detailed presentation at the Port City Colombo Sales Gallery, where the delegation was briefed on the scope of the project, construction progress, and future projections as an upcoming regional business hub and financial centre within South Asia. The presentation also elaborated on how Port City Colombo would incorporate a dynamic cross-cultural network for international and local students to build connections, foster impactful skillsets, and pursue a rewarding academic tenure, which would prepare them for challenging careers in the future. The Flinders University delegation was further provided an experiential tour of particular locations at the project site, including the Marina Promenade, the Downtown Duty-Free Mall development, and the 2.5 Ha land plot allocated to the International University campus.

According to a recent press release by the President’s Media Division, Flinders University is expected to ‘significantly enhance the country’s educational offerings and provide local students with greater access to world-class education.’

Port City Colombo warmly welcomes a potential successful partnership with Flinders University, upon approval and finalisation by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Colombo Port City Economic Commission.

ABOUT PORT CITY COLOMBO

Poised to redefine Sri Lanka’s economic and societal landscape, Port City Colombo (PCC) is a visionary multi-billion dollar FDI-funded project located at the very heart of the South Asian region — the vibrant, thriving metropolis of Colombo in Sri Lanka. Positioned as the gateway to South Asia, it offers a unique combination of global investment opportunities, international business environments, world-class infrastructure, and sustainable yet cosmopolitan living. As a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), PCC will feature a business-friendly environment including tax incentives and exemptions for a 25+ year period for Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSI’s), and transactions in foreign currencies, with no capital or exchange controls, and up to 100 percent foreign ownership. With upcoming developments such as Colombo International Financial Centre (CIFC), the luxury yacht marina retail and lifestyle offerings projected to break ground soon, PCC aims to emulate the successful economic models of Dubai or Singapore, whilst reinforcing the broader commitment to sustainability and liveability.