Port of Galle of SLPA to have new ship repair facility

Monday, 24 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

According to the concept of ‘Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma’ of the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the port of Galle is scheduled to be developed as a tourist destination with upgraded related facilities. Accordingly, a fully fledged Yacht Marina facility is being established by Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the phase one of the project is nearing completion.

In order to offer extended facilities, to provide required yacht repair services in this regard, to attract more tourists to the port of Galle, the investor M/S Gulf Ship Yard Ltd; recently signed an agreement with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to establish a ship repair facility in the port of Galle aiming to repair small boats, tugs and yachts with an initial investment of US$ 15 million. Accordingly, a boat lifting facility of 1,500 tons will be constructed whilst repairs and new building of small scale crafts will be undertaken at the port of Galle in the near future. The investor has also planned to enhance facilities in stages. Laying the foundation stone for the establishment of this new shipyard facility in the Port of Galle took place on 20 February 2014 with the participation of Minister of Highways, Ports and Shipping (Projects) Rohitha P. Abeygunawardena as the Chief Guest of the event. Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkodi, Southern Province Governor Dr. Kumari Baalasuriya, Member of Parliament Ramesh Pathirana, Member of Parliament Manusha Nanayakkara, Minister of Eastern Provincial Council Nazeer Ahmad, Chairman of SLPA Dr. Priyath B.Wickrama, Chief Engineer Planning and Development of SLPA Susantha Abeysiriwardana, the Managing Director of Sea Gulf Shipyard Ltd; Dr. Sarath Obeysekara and the Managing Director of Hadi Hamad Al Hamam Group Saudi Arabia Hadi Hamad Al Hamam were also present at the occasion.