SLPA lays foundation stone for new Container Freight Station

Laying of the foundation stone for the new Container Freight Station was laid on 4 January 2021 at the UCT premises of SLPA

Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena speaking at the event

State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development Jayantha Samaraweera addressing the gathering

SLPA Chairman General Daya Ratnayake speaking at the event

As a regional hub port, the Port of Colombo has taken steps to develop port supply facilities in line with the National Policy Framework, developing the global supply chain and the Sri Lankan economy, whilst maintaining port competitiveness. 

Under such implementations the foundation stone for the new Container Freight Station (CFS) was laid on 4 January 2021 at the Unity Container Terminal (UCT) premises of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) with the objective of improving the quality of the container handling facilities at the Port of Colombo.

The event was held with the initiative of Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and with the participation of State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development Jayantha Samaraweera, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman General Daya Ratnayake. 

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Abeygunawardena, said that it would be a turning point in the service sector of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, that immensely contributed to the development of the Sri Lankan port sector. 

He said that the construction of the new Container Freight Station would lead to the timely delivery of the port service chain with the provision of a state-of-the-art service equipped with modern technology and the latest facilities. He added that the Board of Directors, including the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, had been instructed to protect the port grounds in accordance with the National Policy Plans and developmental framework during the constructions within the port premises. He also said that he believed that such decisions would definitely help strengthen the future of the country and emphasised that he would work his best to revive the Port of Colombo to its best operational status in all sectors. 

State Minister Samaraweera, addressing the gathering said that he was confident that the new Container Freight Station would bring the Port of Colombo to the forefront of competing ports.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman General Daya Ratnayake said that the proposed Container Freight Station (CFS) was expected to be constructed within a year and would be upgraded to provide warehousing facilities by January 2022 by Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

The proposed Container Freight Station (CFS) will cover an area of 9,500 square meters for general cargo and 1,060 square meters for hazardous cargo storage.

Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary U.D.C. Jayalal, State Ministry of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development Secretary Dhammika Matararachchi, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Vice Chairman Dr. Prasantha Jayamanne, SLPA Managing Director H.D.A.S. Premachandra, SLPA Additional Managing Director (Administration and Operations) Upul Jayatissa, SLPA Additional Managing Director (Technical) Susantha Abeysiriwardana, SLPA Director (Human Resources Development) Nalin Aponso and several other senior management officials were also present at the occasion.

A drawing of the new CFS at the Unity Container Terminal of SLPA