Dr.Priyath B. Wickrama –
Chairman of SLPA addressing
the gathering. Additional
Secretary (Port) –
Mr.Anuradha Wijekoon,
Private Secretary to the
Hon. Minister of Ports and
Highways – Mr.Chandra
Rajapaksa and the Managing
Director of SLPA –
Capt.Nihal Keppetipola are
also in the picture.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA
) commenced duties in the
new year on 01st
January 2013 at a ceremony
with Buddhist religious
activities held at its
Chaithya Premises. Parallel
to the event other religious
activities were also
conducted at Catholic,
Muslim and Hindu religious
premises at SLPA.
At a time several mega port
development programmes are
under way to feed national
socio-economic main-stream
aiming greater prosperity in
the future, the year 2013
is marked an exclusive
juncture at SLPA.
Accordingly, the
constructions of the second
stage of Magam Ruhunupura
Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MRMRP)
in Hambantota will
commence in the new year. It
is also expected to complete
constructions of the new
industries at the new port.
Port operations already
commenced , especially the
RO-RO operations at MRMRP
will be further expanded.
The year 2013 will also
bring several land mark
events at the Colombo Port
Expansion Project (CPEP).
Accordingly, the
constructions of CICT, the
first terminal of the
project will be completed
and operations will be
commenced. It is also
expected to complete the
constructions of the SLPA
terminal being constructed
at the project.
SLPA strongly believes that
all infrastructure
development activities
implemented at the ports
around the country and the
launch of an effective human
resource plan at the port
sector are sure to bring
fruitful and long term
benefits to all employees of
the institution.
Expressing views at the
occasion of commencing work
in the new year, Hon. Deputy
Minister of Ports and
Highways – Rohitha
Abegunawardhana said that
the employees of SLPA have
won recognition as a team
working with courage and
strength amidst every sort
of challenge before them. He
also wished all staff and
employees of SLPA a
prosperous year ahead.
Chairman of SLPA – Dr.
Priyath B. Wickrama stated
that SLPA has obtained
tremendous achievements of
developmental goals last
year compared to 2011. “The
Container handling capacity
has been up by 3.9% whilst
the total operations have
been up by 1 %. SLPA has
also taken a number of steps
to boost institutional
efficiency within. Priority
has been given to commence
up to diploma level training
programmes for the employees
at the institution,” he
said. The Chairman also
added that the new
technology utilized at SLPA
for port operations have
attracted better and
fruitful coordination with
the port user community.
Dr.Priyath B.Wickrama –
Chairman of SLPA also
appreciated the good work
and support extended by all
staff members and employees
towards achieving greater
institutional goals at SLPA
.
The Secretary of the
Ministry of Ports and
Highways – Mr.Ranjith
Pemasiri, Additional
Secretary (Port) –
Mr.Anuradha Wijekoon,
Private Secretary to the
Hon. Minister of Ports and
Highways – Mr.Chandra
Rajapaksa, Managing Director
of SLPA – Capt.Nihal
Keppetipola, Additional
Managing Director –
Mr.Norman Weerarathne, a
number of higher officers,
staff members, employees and
Trade Union Representatives
of SLPA also participated at
the occasion.
(CPRD01012013)