The government is considering the establishment of a new authority to control new economic zones, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the parliament yesterday.

He said this answering a question raised by Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.

Prime Minister further said that the government is seeking more than 15,000 acres of land for new economic zones to be established in Hambantota, Ratnapura, Monaragala and Matara.

JVP National Organizer MP Bimal Ratnayake raised the question whether those land will be given free hold. Prime Minister rejected the idea and stated that they will be given as long term lease.

Issues regarding the Port City such as fisheries, environmental and wildlife were further raised.