First vessel to leave Hambantota Port by January 2011:

Sri Lanka Ports gear ahead

Walter LIYANARACHCHI

Hambantota port work in progress

The Government's vision for economic development is laid out in the "Mahinda Chintana" - 10 year Development Framework focusing on three main areas 1. achieving more equitable development through accelerated rural development 2. accelearating growth potential through increasing infrastructure facilities and 3. strengthening the life standard of the poor.

In line with the achievement priorities and transforming the government vision to a reality, the Ministry of Ports, Aviation, Irrigation and Water Management is pregnant with a gigantic task to fulfill.

In compliance with the Mahinda Chintana policies Minister Chamal Rajapaksa has undertaken a series of urgent measures covering all the four segments in his Ministry by implementing major and minor development projects. Many projects which commenced during the past four years have been completed of which some are on-going.

In port sector the biggest project is the construction of the Hambantota sea port funded by the Chinese government.

On instructions of the Minister Chamal Rajapaksa work has expedited and by now seventy five percent of the work on two break-water arms (east and west) of the Hambantota Port has been already completed and the excavation and dredging work is in progress for the channel across Karagamlewaya.

A survey carried out reveals that at present more than 100 vessels bypass Sri Lanka's South West coast daily with no value being added to the county's economy.

In view of the golden opportunities Sri Lanka is having in her arms the strategically important hub port will be designed to accrue the maximum benefits contributing a large amount of income to the government coffers. To make the said objectives a reality, the port will be developed to cater to twelve areas namely - Thermal power generation, oil refinery and pertrochemical industry, coal fired power plant, bunkering services, coal transshipment and distribution, shipbuilding and repaid activities, bonded export pocessing zone, bulk cargo and general cargo berths, fishing activities and export of fish products and container traffic.

The first vessel is scheduled to sail from the port by January 2011.

Being a mega development project implemented in Sri Lanka, the Hambantota Port Development project work is constantly and periodically inspected and is also assessed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Engineers.

SLPA Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickremeratne functions as the Director of the Project and upon his advice Janaka Kurukulasooriya functions as the Chief Engineer in charge of the Colombo South Harbour project.

Hambantota is the nearest port to the main shipping route connecting the east and west.

Hambantota will become the second biggest port in Sri Lanka and the biggest advantage of the port is that it is located very near to the international maritime route which runs through Hambantota seas. The area selected to build the sea port consists of good geographical location, good weather conditions and closer to deep contours for such construction.

Hambantota has a low population density and is also considered as a less developed area for a long time. Extensive land and less restrictions in the planning therefore, has enabled to construct Hambantota Port project as an internal port which is cost effective rather than the off shore constructions. Due to the natural depth along the coastline, there is no need for the construction of a long approach channel as well. The land in the area stands suitable for many port related industries and services too.

The port in Hambantota will also be constructed specially, enabling to handle large (100,000 DWT) vessels. It will have an approach channel of 210 metres wide and 16 metres deep. The turning circle is of a diameter of 610 oil terminal berth of 310 metres long at 16 meters depth and a Quay Wall (General Cargo) of 600 metre depth. The west and the east breakwater being constructed for the port will be of 920 metres and 310 metres long respectively.

Hambantota Port Development Project commenced on Jan. 15, 2008 and it is scheduled to be completed in 2011. The total time period allocated for the construction therefore is 39 months.

Colombo Port Development

While the government is accelerating the development of provincial ports steps are also being taken to develop the Colombo Port in order to convert her as the hub port in the region.

As the Port of Colombo is reaching towards its maximum capacity due to the lack of the space for all types of cargo including bulk, brfeak bulk, RoRo, oil and gas, container and etc., another suitable and efficient port is required with all facilities to cater for such needs, as a completely successful solution to this future congestion of maritime activities and services in the Port of Colombo.