Hambantota International Port, which is runby a joint venture between China Merchants Port Holdings (CMPort) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has not made any dividend payment to the Sri Lankan government as it has not made any profits up to now, a statement issued by Ports and Shipping Ministry said.
The State-run SLPA has 15 percent stake in Hambantota Port.
The statement said Ports and Shipping Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva’s attention has been drawn to initiate more revenue generating programmes at the port and a special discussion was held in this regard at the ministry last week.
During the discussions it was pointed that the several issues with the Central Bank and the Board of Investment have been resolved to help the implementation of the new development programme of the port.
Minister de Silva pledged to intervene to resolves these issues promptly.
“…the minister instructed the Authority officials to submit the proposals and future programmes to make Hambantota a profitable port to the Ports Ministry. He stated that he would take steps to obtain the approval of Cabinet of Ministers for the proposals if necessary,” the statement said.
Until now, the main operational activities of Hambantota port has been the re-export of imported vehicles.
The Minister also stated that an active programme should be prepared together with SLPA for Hambantota port to attract more and more ships sailing in the Indian Ocean to Hambantota and Colombo ports.
A group of officials including K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary of the Ministry, Keith Bernard, Chairman of the Port Authority, Gayan Alagewatta Vice Chirmen and Chief Executive Officer of Hambantota International Port Services Ravindra Jayawickrama participated in this event.