Sri Lanka Ports Authority celebrates 39th anniversary

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) celebrated the 39th anniversary on 1 August amidst a series of religious activities to bring blessings to the institution and its workforce. The main function to mark the 39th anniversary was held at the Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Chaithya premises of Sri Lanka Ports Authority with the initiative of Acting Minister of Ports and Shipping Nishantha Muthuhettigama. The Minister of Ports and Shipping who is currently on a special official visit abroad had conveyed gratitude and best wishes for the success. 

Speaking at the occasion, Muthuhettigama stated that SLPA during recent times has achieved tremendous feats in its journey to become the maritime centre in the region. “The dedicated performance of all employees of Sri Lanka Ports Authority that performs a major tsk to feed national economy are commendable at this juncture,” the Deputy Minister said. 

In a special message to the occasion, SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake mentioned that Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was proud of its dedicated performance towards building national economy, with an overview of corporate goals Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) achieved together.

At present, SLPA is carrying out yeoman tasks for the promotion of the Sri Lankan economy. All staffs and employees of SLPA has efficiently brought out their dedication and cooperation in carrying out such a massive task.

The Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) akin to the heart of SLPA has made plans to retain the existing clients and attract more services through the supplying of services of the highest quality and implementing them at present. The JCT has been able to retain the ISO-9001-2015 Quality Certification secured in the year 2016 for the year 2018 also. Furthermore, the JCT is able to maintain operational productivity at a very high level by being able to carry out administrative tasks and operational tasks through methodical and systematic implementations. 

Steps have also been taken to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between all three terminals to maintain the Port of Colombo as the centre of container transshipping, marketing, promotions and resources as needed and to uplift the image of the Colombo Harbour through them.

A system to release containerised cargo more efficient by methodically sending them to be processed and released before 48 hours,  connecting the process with the computer system of Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) has been activated extending SLPA’s credibility of increasing customer satisfaction.

SLPA has also been awarded with the Global Port Forum’s (GPF) ‘Best Ports Authority of the Year 2018’ award.

Steps have been taken to broaden the infrastructure facilities and launch new projects necessary to uplift the Port of Colombo among competitive international container ports.  The project of broadening the Interior Road system of the Port of Colombo has been launched and, at present, arrangements are being made to broaden the Interior Main Road of the Port of Colombo from Gate No. 01 to six lanes including the port access road. Even though there will be some issues in transporting containers in the coming three years due to the construction of columns, possible solutions for the container transport congestion will be provided following successful completion of the project.

Stage 01 of Prince Vijaya Quay (PVQ), Stages 01 and 02 of the Bandaranaike Quay (BQ) and the development of JCT III M and N Container Lanes have also been completed and the work of the JCT V project has been launched. After the completion of that project, two megaships will be able to anchor simultaneously at JCT Stage III and IV.

The East Container Terminal (ECT) is the second-deepest container terminal in the Port of Colombo and after the work is completed, that terminal will be equipped with a jetty of 18 meters in depth and 1200 meters in length. It is expected to make the annual container operating capacity of this terminal, 204 million TEUs. At present, Sri Lanka Ports Authority has taken steps to lengthen the jetty by 440m and develop the facilities relevant to the ECT and the adjoining yard. Furthermore, SLPA has taken steps to carry out the work of activating the operations of the ECT fulfilling another victorious objective achieved successfully. 

At present, several projects to develop ports other than the Port of Colombo have been launched and work in several of them have already finished. The first stage of repairing the Closenberg Jetty of the Port of Galle has been launched and the second stage is being planned. Furthermore, plans have been made to repair the breakwater of the Port of Galle in two stages. 

As the bulk cargo operations in the Port of Trincomalee are increasing each day, the basic works of broadening the Ashroff Jetty to increase the efficiency of those operations have been launched and the estimated cost of these will be close to $ 35 million. Plans have also been made to construct the administration building of the Port of Trincomalee and the major part of the work of constructing new go-downs is finished.

At present, the engineering study by Danish Hydraulic Institute of Denmark funded by the Danish International Development Agency to give a sustainable solution to the depositing of silt in the Port of Oluvil has been completed.

Another victory achieved by Sri Lanka Ports Authority is being able to activate the projects connected with increasing the infrastructure required to upgrade the Port of Kankesanthurei as a commercial port and maintaining operations. The Government of India has agreed to provide a loan facility of $ 45.27 million to carry out the task. 

A Port Development Master Plan, with the objective developing ports for the upliftment of the National Economy is being completed. It is expected to launch it next year and direct the institution on a process of sustainable development.

The Mahapola Ports & Maritime Academy established for the professional development of the staff of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has been able to update their standards certification to ISO 9001-2015 from 1 May. This Academy is managing a number of quality courses for outside parties and plans are being made at present, to broaden training programs, upgrade infrastructure facilities and new projects. Furthermore, it is expected to upgrade this Academy to the university level. 

Attending the occasion, SLPA Acting Chairman P.G. Dasanayake said that the management of the institution was always confident of the efficient performance all employees towards boosting productivity of the institution. “The East Container Terminal will sooner be operational under the operational process of Sri Lanka Ports Authority,” he said. 

Sri Lanka Ports Authority had also organised a tree planting campaign on the day, in its programme to make the Port of Colombo a green port. A blood donation campaign was also held at the institution. and in another event organised parallel to the 39th Anniversary of the institution, all residential patients at the Maharagama ‘Apeksha’ cancer hospital were donated with parcels of essential items.

Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary L.P. Jayampathi, SLPA Managing Director H.D.A.S. Premachandra, Additional Managing Director Datta Gunasekara, Director (Finance) Shirani Wanniarachchi, Director (Operations) Jayantha Perera, Director (Technical) Chandrakanthi Lokuhewage, Director (Logistics) D. Uplai de Zoysa, Director (Human Resources) P. Ranathunga, Director (Security) Major Gen. Gamini Hettiarachchi, all Heads of Divisions and a number of employees also attended the occasion. 

A part of SLPA employees attending the 39th anniversary celebration of the institution