Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry stated that the construction of the first stage at the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port will be completed and its operations will begin from the first of June 2024.
This was stated when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport Chaired by MP Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, met in Parliament recently. Officials representing the Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry and Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited were called before the Committee for the consideration of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (Amendment) Bill, the Annual Report of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited for the year 2022, the Performance Report of Shipping and Aviation Ministry for the year 2022. Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (Amendment) Bill was approved by the Committee.
Presenting facts before the Committee, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry said that 20% progress has been made in the construction of the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port. The construction of the East Terminal is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2025.
Ministry officials also said that 20% progress has been made in the construction of the Western terminal of the Colombo Port and its construction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited stated that it will be making profits after June 2022. Accordingly, in the last seven months of this year (2023), the company has recorded a net profit of 18 million dollars.
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited Chairman said that an international conference for aviation related personnel and research groups from all over the world is planned to be held on December 10 this year. Many organisations including heads of the world’s leading airlines will be in attendance, he said. Accordingly, the officials informed the Committee that the draft of the national policy which has been prepared so far will be forwarded to the Committee.
Furthermore, the Members of the Committee instructed the Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry to look into the possibility of transporting the goods by sea during the distribution of goods in Sri Lanka.
Committee Members, MPs Yadamini Gunawardena, Kumarasiri Rathnayaka, Government officials including K. D. S. Ruwanchandra, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry Secretary, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited) Chairman Major General G. A. Chandrasiri (Retd.) were present at the meeting.
