Ships ahoy in Galle Harbour

BY SHIRAJIV Sirimane

THE Galle Harbour is fully operational after the tsunami devastation with all major shipping lines once again anchoring in the port.

Soon after the tsunami, part of the Harbour and surrounding buildings were damaged while some ships were washed to the mainland.

According to an official of the Galle Harbour Sri Lanka Navy played a key role in the reconstruction process. In addition Indian Navy also assisted in the relief operations.

INS Sutlej (Survey ship) and Sharda provided relief assistance and surveying of the Galle Harbour. Harbour officials also succeeded in re-operating a crane for salvage work.

The Ministry of Ports and Shipping had announced that they would invest over Rs. 500 million to uplift the Harbour which is one of the best natural harbours in the world. They are also hoping to make more facilities to attract more passenger vessels to Galle, which has tremendous tourist potential.

The Chinese government too has pledged their support to develop the Galle Harbour.

Galle Harbour was first accidentally discovered by Lorenzo De Almeida, the son of the Viceroy of Goa who set foot in Galle when his fleet of ships on the way to the Maldives in 1505. They constructed a barricade enclosing the projection of the land towards the sea and fortified it with a moat to avoid attack from the mainland.

The development of Galle Harbour became more important with the Colombo Port reaching its maximum capacity. The government was looking at alternative Ports and the development of Galle and Hambantota harbours have been placed on high priority.