Hambantota Harbour:

Historic water filling ceremony tomorrow

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Karadiyawara Mangalyaya, the historic water filling ceremony of Hambantota harbour will commence tomorrow morning under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Hambantota harbour will be the second international harbour in Sri Lanka while becoming an alternative to the Colombo harbour.

The harbour is situated in an easy access location from main sea routes. The harbour will be the biggest service and industrial port in the country since it is being constructed closest to the international maritime route. It is the nearest point to the main shipping route that connects East and West.

Government Ministers, officials, foreign dignitaries and a large number of people are expected to participate in the Karadiyawara Mangalyaya.

Visitors are welcome to the event and they will be allowed to view the historic water filling ceremony from the harbour bed, Deputy Chief Manager for Public Relations Nalin Aponsu said.

Visitors will be allowed to enter the harbour premises from 4a m without any hindrance. Sri Lanka Ports Authority has taken steps to facilitate the visitors at this historic event.

At first the harbour will be filled with small quantities of water first to allow the public to wade in and wallow in the water as this is an opportunity afforded once in a lifetime. Gradually the harbour will be filled with water up to the required water level and the first ship will be piloted in by November.