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    ISAS Briefs

    Quick analytical responses to occurrences in South Asia

    504 : The New Hambantota Port Deal in Sri Lanka: A Template for the Belt and Road Initiative Projects?

    Amitendu Palit

    3 August 2017

    The Sri Lankan Parliament recently approved a new operational structure for the controversial Hambantota port. This structure has created separate joint venture companies to manage commercial and non-commercial functions that have Chinese and Sri Lankan businesses as the majority partners in both functions. This paper examines whether the model can become a template for future projects in the Chinaled Belt and Road Initiative that, while promising more resources for regional infrastructure, has also given rise to serious geostrategic concerns.