Construction work of Oluvil Port begins today

Colombo: The construction of the Oluvil Port Project, expected to usher in unprecedented development in the East will get off the ground today under the Eastern Reawakening programme. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has already signed an MoU with a Danish company with the construction cost being euro 46.1 million.

The port is expected to commence operations in 27 months, a spokesman for the Ports and Aviation Ministry said.

The project is also expected to generate a large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities with a major share being provided to youth from the area.

During the first stage of the project engineers have planned to build a breakwater with a length of 475 and 740 metres.

The Port will also have the capability to cater to large ships with in-built tanks exceeding the eight metre depth level mark.

Also the main harbour is expected to be spread over 16 hectares and during stage two the depth level is to be increased to 11 metres enabling it to cater to large vessels weighing over 16,000 tons.

The capacity in the main harbour is to be expanded to 24 hectares during stage two.

People in the area who lose property for the project will be compensated and authorities have taken steps to release Rs.200 million for the purpose.

Presently there are two Port projects which have commenced construction namely Hambantota and Colombo South under the guidance of Minister Chamal Rajapaksa and the proposed Oluvil port too is to go ahead in line with these projects.