Increase in container handling in Colombo Port

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has recorded a 26.7 per cent increase in container handling in 2009 compared to the previous year. ”Despite the world economic downturn the Ports Authority has achieved such a rapid growth in container handing”, Deputy Chief Manager in Communication and Public Relations Nalin Aponsu said.

During January 2009 the number of containers handled is 136,994 while the number in January this year it had risen to 165,400.

The world economic recession witnessed a huge decrease in container handling in almost all the harbours in the world.

However, the Ports Authority was able to reduce the slump to a single digit percentage while in many other ports, the decline is in double digits.

He said under the Mahinda Chinthana a rapid three year ports development program is being carried out.

Accordingly, the Colombo Harbour is being expanded while several other harbours are also being constructed such as Hambantota, and Olivil. Following the expansion capacity of the Colombo harbour will be increased significantly, the Ports Authority sources said.