New Port economic boost
Construction of second phase begins :
Sri Lanka’s new deep sea port ‘Magama Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa
Port’, Hambantota on the south coast of the island was officially opened
yesterday, Thursday with the ceremonial docking of the first vessel to
use the port facilities.
At the auspicious time of 11.57 am, the second phase of the port
began construction.
In a ceremony presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as part of
the week long festivities surrounding his official inauguration for his
second term in office, a ship dropped anchor in Hambantota’s Magampura
Harbour to a traditionally warm and colourful Sri Lankan welcome from
the huge crowd gathered on the waterfront and quaysides.
Sang Guowei, Special Envoy of the President of PR of China, Hu Jintao
was among those who attended the ceremony. Sang is the Vice Chairman of
the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s
Republic of China.
A traditional sailing yacht was chosen in recognition of Sri Lanka’s
age old role as a key stopping point on the ancient east-west silk
trading route. It was followed into harbour by the Sri Lankan passenger
ship Jetliner.
Phase one of the port, operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and
completed this year ahead of the scheduled completion in April 2011, is
an integral part of the Government’s program of economic action and
reconstruction of transport and trade infrastructure after the
successful conclusion of the three decade long struggle against LTTE
terrorism. It lies at the heart of a strategy to make Sri Lanka an
import/export, marine services and transshipment hub at the locus of key
worldwide shipping routes. The port is located just 10 nautical miles
from one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, used by up to 200
vessels every day, and can handle vessels of up to 100,000 DWT.
A Government spokesman said: “The successful completion and opening
of the superb docking and cargo facilities at Hambantota epitomises the
determination of the Sri Lankan Government and people to capitalise on
the opportunity that is offered by the island’s new era of peace, to
bring prosperity to all.
“The opening of Hambantota port ushers in a new era which will
transform Sri Lanka’s important transport and shipping industry. We look
forward to welcoming increased global trade through what is one of the
world’s most modern ports.”
Phase one of the new Hambantota port was constructed by the China
Harbour Engineering Company at a cost of some US$ 360 million and
includes provision for a high quality passenger terminal, cargo
handling, warehousing, bunkering, provisioning, maintenance and repair,
medical supplies and customs clearing facilities.
The 2,000 hectares of land immediately surrounding the new port is to
be developed as a dedicated investment and industrial zone, with 65
domestic and international investor businesses having already expressed
an interest.
It is anticipated that, once phase two of the Hambantota port project
is completed in April 2011, the port will provide 40% of Government
income by 2020 and create 10,000 direct and over 60,000 indirect new job
opportunities. |