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Megaport surveillance system:
SLPA gets Spectroscopic Portal Monitor
The Ports and Aviation Ministry took over a Spectroscopic Portal
Monitor of the Megaport Surveillance System on behalf of the Sri Lanka
Ports Authority (SLPA) in the Port of Colombo recently.
This ultra modern Portal Monitor was installed under the Megaports
initiative in the Colombo Port by the US Energy Department.
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The ceremonial opening of the Spectroscopic Portal Monitor of
the Megaport Surveillance System at SLPA by Charge d’affaires of
the US Embassy Ms Valerie Fowler. Port and Aviation Ministry
Secretary Ranjith de Silva, SLPA Managing Director Capt. Nihal
Keppetipola, Harbour Master Capt. Ravi Jayawickreme and Customs
Director General Sarath Jayatilake were also present. |
SLPA Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola that after signing of
the MOU with the Government of the USA for the implementation of the
Megaports initiative in 2004, and commissioned in 2006, Colombo became
the first Port in Asia that was Compliant with the Megaport initiative,
The Customs Security Initiative and the International Ship and Ports
Security Code.
He said the installation of the Spectroscopic Portal Monitor which
again is a first in any Asian Port as well as the third of its kind
worldwide is an endorsement of the importance of Colombo as the Hub of
South Asia as well as an appreciation of the investment of US $ 1.5 b on
port infrastructure and superstructure development which will ensure
that Sri Lankan Ports will certainly have a competitive edge over other
regional Ports.
Ports and Aviation Ministry Secretary Ranjith de Silva said the faith
the US Energy Department has placed in the Colombo Port speaks volumes
of the Sri Lanka Government’s commitment to develop and expand
facilities at the Port which is the Hub of South Asia.
He said the Government is committed to global security. A country
that was strife torn for thirty years is peaceful once again and it is
time to reap the benefits of peace. Port expansion projects are going on
at a tremendous pace. The brand new Port of Hambantota in the South will
be operational by early 2011.
The Colombo Port expansion should be completed and the first terminal
operational by end of 2012. Capacity in the Port of Colombo will be
increased by almost 50 percent with the first terminal detection
facility coupled with other progress has given a competitive edge over
many other growing ports in the region. |
