SLPA stream lines payment, clearing
To move into central administrative building:
Indunil Hewage
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority is on a massive investment drive to
introduce short term, medium and long-term plans to improve port
productivity whilst ensuring the smooth transition of all industry
related functions.
“We have introduced a few systems which are working well at the
moment and are ready with the physical infrastructure to go ahead with
on line payment and clearing system and back office operations enabling
any customer to work with Customs without any issue,” Sri Lanka Ports
Authority Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama said.
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Dr Priyath
Wickrama |
In keeping with the machinery replacement plan inside the port, plans
are on to purchase gantry cranes to improve the berth and yard
production. Accordingly, more rubber tyred gantry will be installed this
year and next year.
The entire Port Authority administrative activities will also be
shifted near the Customs Office, making all the prevailing delaying
cargo clearing processes and related issues easy. There will be a
central administrative building and that will act as a one-stop-shop and
freight forwarders and shippers will also get space in the building,”
Dr. Wickrama said.
According to Dr Wickrama , there are certain limitations in the port
when it comes to increasing the number of trucks inside the port and the
main priority of the port is to provide a better service to ships.
In some instances, particularly, during peak hours a considerable
number of trucks enter the port and it is difficult to allow all
truckers inside the port since space to handle all activities is
limited.
Four outward and three inward lanes will also be built for port
access roads to ease the present congestion.
In addition, Sri Lanka Ports Authority will implement a new security
camera system inside all warehouses shortly which will make all the
cargo handling processes easy, quick, and modern.
Accordingly, some warehouses will be partially automated. This
security system will lead to less pilferage and damage cargo and
reduction in accident costs.
“Some rules and regulations to be introduced to prevent the over
traffic situation inside the Colombo city limits will definitely limit
cargo movements during the peak hours whilst hampering the entire
domestic volume growth. However, Customs has already expressed consent
to handle night time delivery. At least, Colombo City traffic will need
to find a solution until we shift our operations to the Peliyagoda cargo
village.” Dr Wickrama said.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority has also received clearance from the Urban
Development Authority to build a rail track to transport cargo from the
Port to the Peliyagoda cargo village.
Accordingly, all deliveries will take place at the Peliyagoda cargo
village after completion of construction work. The Road Development
Authority has also been instructed to construct a flyover at the
Ingurukade junction for the public.
“At the moment the traffic system provides less priority to trucks
that leave the port. Having a flyover at the Ingurukade colour lights
will improve efficiency of port activities,” Dr. Wickrama said.
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