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SLPA Chairman Parakrama Dissanayake.

By Shirajiv Sirimane

Though many people are reluctant to build or buy land near the sea due to erosion and corrosion the Colombo Port has expanded rapidly over the past 150 years and is set to become the top Port in South Asia.

The recent positive moves by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) which is now the controlling arm of the Colombo Port is paying rich dividends and is leading the Port to prosperity.

Chairman SLPA, Parakrama Dissanayake said that the vision and mission of the Minister is to convert the Colombo Port to a fully containerised Port.

"The Colombo Port handled 102,321 TEUs of transshipment containers in February 2003 registering a growth of 22.1% compared to February 2002. The total container throughput handled in February was 146,737 TEUs, a growth of 17.2% as against the total throughput handled during February 2002. This is the highest growth level achieved by a transshipment Port in the region," he said.

He said that the Port became exclusive agents with international shipping companies such as Maersk, TSA Hanjing Shipping and Evergreen Marine Lines in a further bid to enhance their productivity.

He said that the SLPA is aiming to increase the current capacity at the Unity and Jaya Container Terminals from 2.8 to 4.5 million.

Dissanayake who is also Shipping Consultant of the United Nations /UNCTAD Panel said that the government is not only developing the Colombo Port but is also concentrating on the other Ports as well. "We have received the feasibility report with regard to the Hambantota Harbour and we are anticipating Japanese assistance to have two break bulkberths for the Galle Harbour. He said that there are similar plans to develop other Ports out of Colombo such as Oluvil, Kankesanthurai on a Phase by phase basis."

Oneof the old ships that sailed to Colombo

The Chairman who was also a visiting lecturer at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura said by developing other Ports the overall business in those areas too would grow. He said that in a bid to enhance productivity the SLPA will be offering a 'Golden Handshake' to reduce excess staff. "The first phase in this regard was very successful and we now are targeting nearly 2,000 employees for the second Phase."

The Chairman said that the Port has refurbished the Passenger terminal at a cost of Rs. 40 million. "This is in anticipation of the proposed ferry service linking India and the Maldives."

Though the Colombo Docks are not frequently used by passengers today this was the only mode of transportation for foreigners and cargo over a century ago.

The Colombo Port was a hive of activity over a century ago with merchants trading items frequently using it. The Greeks and Egyptians who called at the Colombo Port, the Port of Taprobane were eager to take gems, spices and Ivory from then Ceylon in exchange for carpets, silk and other goods in return.

The Colombo Port first came into the limelight during 1153 and 1186 BC during the reign of King Prakramabahu. It was said during this period a king named Ariya Chakrawarthi was ruling Jaffna and he had a fleet of 14 ships used for trading between Jaffna, Colombo, Negombo and Chilaw.

The Portuguese invaded Ceylon in 1550 and history has it that the Portuguese army had landed at the Colombo Port. The area of then Colombo had been dominated by Muslim traders and the Portuguese Captain had obtained permission from the then Kotte King and built a Church and a warehouse at the present Presidents' House.

In 1658 the Dutch drove away the Portuguese from Ceylon and took over the management of the Colombo Port and part of Ceylon until the British ruled Ceylon in 1815.

The British in 1878 published a list of Ports in Ceylon and there were over 15 Ports which included Colombo as well. The shipping industry took a major step forward in 1840 when ships operated by steam were introduced.

To cater to the growing demand the British government appointed an Engineer R. Townsend in 1871 to develop the Port and in 1875 he was instrumental in building the first 1285 metre long breakwater at the Colombo Port. Three more break waters were added in 1898, 1906 and 1912.

The harbour was also dredged and expanded so that 53 ships could be anchored in the Port. The Colombo Port handled 170,000 tonnes in 1817 and in 1949 this increased to 3.25 million.

With the expansion of the train service throughout the world there was a growing demand for coal. This prompted the British authorities to add more infrastructure and 18 jetties were built. A special pipeline was introduced in 1887 to transport pure drinking water from Labugama to the Port and the ships.

The British rulers built the Dockyard in 1912 and in the same year telecommunication facilities too were introduced to the harbour.

In a global Port survey published in 1912, the Colombo Port was categorised as one of the top seven harbours in the world and the best two among the British owned harbours.

In 1904 steam operated ships made way for modern ships and fuel depots too were built. The rapid Port development never stopped even during the first World War and a Baghdad warehouse, railway line, Inner deck were made. However, during the Second World War no significant development was made. Emphasis was also given to improve the infrastructure for passengers.

After Ceylon gained independence in 1948 there was rapid development again which is continuing even today.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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