Jetliner arrives chanting Seth Pirith

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE and Raja WAIDYASEKARA, Tissamaharama Special Corr.

The commissioning of the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa sea port by President Mahinda Rajapaksa commenced with the arrival of the Jetliner vessel.

About 350 priests of all Nikayas arrived in the Jetliner chanting Seth Pirith to bless the occasion. The Jetliner was followed by the Seruwila cargo ship from Burma which brought Buddha statues. The Buddha statues were delivered from the ship at the auspicious time of 11.51am in the presence of President Rajapaksa.

This arrival of the cargo ship marked the commencement of the economic and commercial activities of the sea port. A sail ship arrived at the port finally.

The second phase of the port construction project was commenced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the blasting of a rock.

Accordingly, the ship harbour basin has to be extended up to 17 metres in depth and 600 metres of the circle access channel road is to be deepened up to 18 metres. A terminal dam consisting of six berths will be constructed.

An island 50 acres in extent will be set up near the port using the soil which will be removed from the port site under the second phase. An eight metre high bridge will be constructed connecting the mainland with the island.