|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 28 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority is back to normal cargo operations in Colombo, a press release issued by the Ports Authority said yesterday. However, ports of Galle, Trincomalee, Kankasanturai and Point Pedro will remain shut for operations until damage is assessed and staff return to work. The release further said; The Sri Lanka Ports Authority was back in operation yesterday after a short interruption due to the damage caused by the tidal wave that brought disruption to the coastal areas of the island. The navigation unit of the SLPA came to the rescue of the vessel "Jami" which was in collision with the pilot jetty soon after 10 a.m. yesterday. The vessel was entering the harbour via the main channel at the time the tidal wave entered the shores of Sri Lanka. Immediate action by the SLPA navigation division avoided major disruption to the main shipping channel, which would have shut down operations in the Port of Colombo for weeks. The salvage company which should have participated in this operation was not available and hence the job was left to the expertise at SLPA. The vessel which would have sunk in normal circumstances was moved from the outer harbour to a safe location by Nihal Keppitipola, the Harbour master and Ravi Jayawckrama, his Deputy at SLPA. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority is back to normal cargo operations in Colombo. However, ports of Galle, Trincomallee, Kankesanturai and Point Pedro will remain shut for operations until any damage is assessed and staff return to work. An emergency meeting was held last morning chaired by Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation Dilan Perera, on the instruction of Minister of Ports and Aviation. Mangala Samaraweera. The Minister is out of the island present but has directed his staff on the 26th to commence relief operations to affected areas. He is making immediate arrangements to return to the country. The SLPA set up an emergency relief operations committee to assist those in affected areas. Hotlines (2451913, 451919, 0777-782298) and a Bank of Ceylon account (A/c No. 190267, BOC Corporate Branch) for donations was set up this morning. The SLPA will initially commence relief operations in Galle, Matara, Trincomalee, Kankesanturai, and Point Pedro as of today. Dry rations and water will be made available to those areas immediately. The following SLPA officers have been appointed to co-ordinate those respective areas. The Public is requested to contact the headlines regarding contributions and donations. Gamini Chandrasekera, Eastern Ports, K.L.A. Kalupathirana, Galle, Norman Weeraratna, Matara, W.G. Vas, Puttalam district, W.G. Samaratunga, Donations to the Relief Fund. The SLPA disaster relief fund (A/c 190267, Bank of Ceylon Corporate Branch) was initiated at the request of SLPA workers who contributed the Rs. 2500 pay increase awarded by the Government, which was announced at the recent budget. Contributions were also made by other staff of the SLPA and those business associated with the SLPA. All donations are welcome. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
