Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) recently signed the contract agreement with the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd; for the constructions of Phase II of the Hambantota Port  Development Project. The agreement was signed by the Chairman of SLPA, Dr.Priyath B. Wickrama and the Chairman of the China Harbour Engineering Company ltd; Mr.Sun Ziyu. The financial assistance in this regard would be extended by the Government of the People's Republic of China under a concessionary basis as the constructions would commence in November this year following the finalization of completion of construction at  phase I of the project.  

 The most important fact of this project is the completion of all preliminary activities within very short time with the participation of local experts. Preliminary studies, data collection, Feasibility Studies, Environmental impact Assessment and Detailed Engineering Designs etc were completed within a very short time. 

Based on the engineering designs, a Chinese Joint Venture Construction company which was nominated by the Government of China submitted on offer for the construction of phase 1 including all infrastructure facilities, buildings, Plants & equipment etc, and after negotiations the contract was awarded to the same Join Venture. 

The main construction works of  phase I  includes, the construction of two breakwaters, excavation of the 17m depth Basin area, dredging of 210m wide entrance channel, construction of a  service berth, general purpose berth, oil berth, roads and buildings.  

The entire construction preparation and the cofferdam constructions under phase I have been completed while the Chinese Pod pre-cast is in 100% progress. The constructions of the  general purpose birth and the service birth have also reached a progress of 90% each while 88% of the breakwater constructions and  64% of the oil birth constructions  have also been completed. Revetment and administration building constructions under phase I of  Hambantota Port  Development Project are also in rapid progress.  

Under phase II of the project,  basin excavation will be done  up to minus  17 metres with a turning circle of  600 metres diameter while the approach channel will be dredged up to 18 metres. A quay wall with a length of 2140 metres for 6 births, an oil terminal with a depth of minus 17 metres and a length of 300 metres, an artificial island of 50 hectares with a top elevation of 8 metres, a fly-over bridge and roads and yards facilities will also be constructed. The constructions of phase II will further  include, providing of all yard handling equipment and   development of a   yard area of 60 hectares adjacent to the quay wall.  

Managing Director of SLPA Capt. Nihal Keppetipola,  Executive Director Dr. Sanjaya Sedara Senarath, Working Director Mr. Prasanna Kalutharage, Director Mr.Janaka Kurukulasooriya, Chief Engineer (SPD) Mr. Agil Hewageegana, the Chief Representative of CHEC Sri Lanka Office Mr. Q.L.Tang and several representatives were also present at the signing of the contract agreement for the constructions of phase II  of Hambantota Port development Project.
(CPRD22062010)