It is yet to be decided if the Urban Development Authority, Western Provincial Council or the Lands Ministry would own the land.

Of the 269 hectare port city, the Sri Lankan government owns 125 hectares and 108 hectares by the Chinese investor, of which 88 hectares are on a 99-year lease.

This matter came up at the cabinet meeting, with lands minister Gayantha Karunatilake proposing that the land be brought under the president, and subsequently released to the land commissioner.