Construction of first Colombo Southern Port container terminal:

Giant step to progress

Dhanuska GODAKUMBURA

Sri Lanka took another giant leap forward in its march towards progress with the launching of construction work on the first container terminal of the Colombo Southern Port under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday morning.

President Rajapaksa arrived at the venue at 10.10 am and unveiled the ceremonial plaque in association with Chinese ambassador Yang Xiuping.

The President thereafter hoisted the Colombo International Container Terminals Company flag signalling the giant tug anchored near the breakwater to start construction work. Thereafter, the President signed the visitors’ book. Under the first stage of this project, the first Container terminal of the Colombo Southern Port will be built at a cost of US dollars 500 million. The first 600 meters of the terminal will be completed by 2014. It will have a capacity of 2.4 million containers.

The entire terminal (full length) is due to be completed by 2016.

The colombo South Port will be equipped with three container terminals, 1200 metres in length, it will help increase the capacity of the entire colombo port from 4.5 million containers to 13 million containers.

According to the agreement signed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his visit to China the work on the first container terminal will be handled jointly by the China Merchant Holdings company, Aitken Spence Ltd and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

The Colombo port is being extended to enable it to successfully complete with other ports in the region almost 66 percent worth on the Colombo south Port’s breakwater has now been completed.

Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiuping said China is happy to assist Sri Lanka’s development effort as the two countries have maintained close links and friendly relations for several centuries.

Ports and Highways Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardene said the Colombo South Port will be of great assistance towards the Presidents efforts to transform Sri Lanka into the wonder of Asia.

SLPA Chairman Dr Priyath Banduwickrame also spoke.