Colombo port achieves 5 mn
containers target
|
Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna
Ranatunga revealed that they were in an
attempt to bring the Colombo port among
the world’s top 20 ports by the end of
2016.
Speaking at the celebration of achieving
5 million containers arrivals at Colombo
Port, minister said that the valuable
effort and contribution of the port
officials could bring it among the
world’s top 26 ports thus far.
" Colombo Port receives Rs.29 billion of
annual income. However there a
significant portion from the earnings
has to be allocated to cover the debt
loans of Hambantota port. So we are in a
big effort of providing welfare
facilities to the employees who are
working at Colombo Port," minister
added.
He further revealed the set targets
could will be achieved by finishing the
construction of Eastern terminal of the
Colombo port.
" Our target is to increase the
container arrivals in the Colombo port
by 10% by the end of next year. However
if we could complete the constructions
of eastern terminal, we could boost the
amount up to 25%," Ranatunga added.
Minister further went on to say that the
set targets were achieved while facing
lots of barriers in the available
facilities in Colombo Port.
"Though we are still continuing
operations using old equipment and
machines, the production capacity per
hour has been increased from 19
containers to 29 containers. We achieved
all those targets by getting the
valuable support from our team,"
minister charged.
However Ranatunga said that he would
further discuss the matter with the
President, Prime Minister and the
Finance Minister in order to take
actions to reduce the debt payments of
Hmbantota port.
- Ministry of Ports and Shipping
|