Sri Lanka Port Authority moots 10-year Global Strategic Plan

Colombo: The Hambantota port is expected to fill the gaps existing within the Colombo port, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya said recently.

Delivering his speech at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2008 on Challenges and Opportunities in Infrastructure Development in the Ports Sector Wickramasuriya stated that unlike the Colombo Port which is hassled by the problem of space, Hambanthota is not constrained by any space issues since they have purchased 5,000 acres at the initial stage itself. 'The construction at Hambantota is progressing very fast. It will be an industrial port able to handle all requirements and fill gaps,' he said adding that development activities at the Galle Port have been limited since the focus is now on Hambantota.

Commenting on other port developments he divulged that construction has started on the Oluvil Port which will aid deep sea fishing and that Trincomalee will be limited to its original purpose as they will preserve it due to its significance in marine biology and ecology and also because the country does not need yet another large commercial with the existence of Colombo. He asserted that the Colombo Port Expansion Plan is underway and that there was never a delay except in the awarding of the contract for the South Container Terminal.

Addressing the competitiveness of the Colombo Port he revealed that there is a 10-year Global Strategic Plan of the SLPA as well as a target to enhance the port’s capacity and efficiency.

Under this Colombo is to achieve the positions of a transshipment hub as well as being a maritime hub.
He pointed out that capacity is vital for Colombo's competitiveness and that there are three competitors at the port with only three container handling terminals.

'As the infrastructure is old it puts pressure on the three competitors,' he explained. Moreover he revealed that the SLPA has already cleared 21 acres for a cargo handling village.