Trinco Port development to be expedited
RFC’s to be called in Nov.:
Indunil Hewage
The Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) will call for Request for
Proposals (RFC’s) for the development of the Trincomalee harbour in
November enabling the private sector to invest in host of activities.
SLPA Chairman, Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama addressing the “Key Person’s
Forum” conducted by Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(FCCISL) at Galadari hotel yesterday said that these would include
opportunities in the newly set up industrialised zone, leisure and
eco-tourism activities, Tourism zone initiatives bunkering and oil
drilling activities.
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SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu
Wickrama outlining the three year plan of Sri Lanka Ports
Development activities at the “Key Persons Forum” held at
Galadari hotel. Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe. |
“In addition, SLPA has also decided to call for RFC’s for the 500
acre Colombo Port City development project soon.”
The private sector would have more investment opportunities in
construction, education, tourism and other related areas in this
proposed Port city, where the sea would be reclaimed,” he said.
The Colombo restructuring project is scheduled to kick off before the
end of this year and the project work is scheduled to be completed
within 36 months.”
The objective of introducing RFC’s is to accommodate more investors
for industrial projects rather than introducing tenders. “Sri Lanka has
so far infused a large sum of money as long- term investments to
increase the internal capacity of ports whilst making Sri Lanka a
maritime and logistic centre in the Asia.”
“We have already invested nearly US $ 3 billion for port development
activities whilst attracting US $ 2.2 billion private sector investments
for the same purpose.” However, SLPA involvement in building a terminal
in the Colombo South harbour has also been criticized by some parties.
The Colombo port is over congested and other technical restrictions
at the port will have a major impact on future activities since the big
players in the industry are looking at introducing extra larger vessels
for maritime activities in the face of global economic turmoil.
“If the port is not ready to face the future requirements in the
industry, many industry related institutions and businesses will have to
close down their operations attributable to the present global
scenario,” Dr Wickrama said. Commenting on the ongoing Ruhunu Magampura
port activities, Dr. Wickrama remarked that “even though the rock
blasting process has been a ‘pet topic’ in the local political arena in
the recent past, technically they did not have any issue pertaining to
it.”
“We have now managed to complete the ‘blasting task’ of the rock mass
at Ruhunu Magampura port following a mathematical modern testing.” “We
are also hoping to clear the all blasting materials before the end of
this year.”
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