SLPA Chief meets Indian High Commissioner

 SLPA Chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay exchange mementos at the meeting

SLPA Chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay at India House, Colombo 3. Indian High Commission Head of Economic and Commercial Wing Dr. Rakesh Panday is also present

• Says greater synergy between India and Sri Lanka pivotal to handle future container volume growth in Indian Sub-Continent

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola recently paid a courtesy visit to the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay. 

On the invitation of the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, the meeting took place at India House, Colombo 3. Also present at the meeting was Indian High Commission Head of Economic and Commercial Wing Dr. Rakesh Panday.

Speaking at the meeting, High Commissioner Baglay said that the development of bilateral trade between India and Sri Lanka would enhance socio-economic stability between the two friendly nations and India would like to cordially work with Sri Lanka and the SLPA to improve the container and shipping connectivity. 

The SLPA Chairman said that considering the forecast growth of population, production and the order took increase of the Ultra Large Container Ships (ULCS) in the world, it was important for the Indian Government to take action as per Indian Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi’s huge ‘Sagaramala’ Project parallel to Sri Lanka’s port development projects. 

“We would then create a synergy between the countries to handle this huge container volume growth in the Indian Sub-Continent (ISC),” the Chairman said. 

Further discussions also took place at the meeting on the importance of commencement of a regional cruise liner operation in the ISC region. The SLPA Chairman said that the possibility should be discussed with the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, the SLPA and the Ministry of Tourism in order to make its operations a success.

The High Commissioner also proposed commencing a joint discussion with BIMSTEC countries (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation) in this regard.