President wants container handling streamlined

Chaminda PERERA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday directed Ports Authority officials to further streamline the container handling process and prepare plans for more container terminals at the Colombo harbour. President Rajapaksa made these directives after inspecting the construction of the Colombo Port development project which is to be completed by 2012. The officials pointed out that 45 percent of the Colombo harbour development project has been completed.

They informed the President that the construction of new breakwater is in progress and a stretch of three Km of the breakwater has been constructed. He also instructed the Deputy Ports and Aviation Ministers to design the port premises in an environmental friendly manner and improve the transport facilities within the port premises by introducing an internal train service.

The vehicle terminal of the Colombo Port also came under President Rajapaksa’s inspection yesterday. He said Port Authority officials should seek Custom Director General’s Assistant to expedite the clearing of vehicles soon. Deputy Ministers Rohitha Abeygunawardene and Dayashritha Tissera and SLPA Chairman Priyath Bandu Wickrema were also present.