...Earlier today, as the ceremonial first brick of what has now been dubbed the Southern Industrial Zone was laid in Hambantota, the place erupted in violet protests which left more than ten people hospitalized and many others incarcerated...

The main reasons for the protests against the impending Chinese handover was the perceived loss of autonomy to a foreign power as well as the potential land grab that could be necessary to build the 15,000-acre industrial zone...

Meanwhile, the Ceylon Ports General Employees Union have been protesting the impending 99-year lease of the lion's share of the Hambantota deep sea port to the China Merchants Ports Holding Company by wearing black armbands while they worked in the ports of Hambantota, Galle, and Trincomalee.

As of now, Sri Lanka has only inked a framework agreement with China in regards to the lease of the port and the land for the industrial zone. While this agreement was expected to be signed into formal policy today, January 7th, the public reaction against it has caused Sri Lanka to step back and re-evaluate the deal. To these ends, a government committee has been created whose job it will be to re-negotiate the agreement with China and devise a final plan by the end of the month...