Ports Authority sees increased handling

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) marks a considerable improvement in the container through-put (TEUs) for the month of December 2009, compared to the same period of 2008.

Compared to the total of 136,268 TEUs handled by SLPA in the month of December 2008, it has handled a total of 153,317 TEUs in December 2009, marking a growth of 12.5%.

Meanwhile compared to the overall 259,308 TEUs handled at the Port of Colombo in December 2008, it has handled a total of 309,009TEUs in December 2009 marking a growth of 19.2%.

On the November 5, 2009 the long awaited northern entrance of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) that had been kept closed was re-opened. Earlier the Sri Lanka Ports Authority had also completed dredging of the northern entrance to Colombo port to facilitate the increasing number of vessels at the port. SLPA Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickrama said SLPA was taking all measures to increase productivity of the port while facilitating all its employees with better welfare and other benefits even amidst mega investments to develop the port sector around the country aiming the future economic and social development of Sri Lanka.

He also stated that the re-opening of the northern entrance of the Colombo Port will not only facilitate the Port of Colombo but would also ease the maritime transportation of the entire region.

He added that with this latest opening, the Port of Colombo can go ahead with its operations as a much secured container port in the world.