SLPA rejects misleading reports on Mahinda Rajapaksa Port

Noting that its attention had been drawn to a misleading report on the safety aspects of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Port, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) released a statement yesterday asserting that safety and national interest would never be compromised. Following is the text of the SLPA statement:

“The attention of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has been drawn to a misleading report on the safety aspects of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Magam Ruhunupura at Hambantota. The safety aspect of a port in any country, whether it’s newly-built or currently in operation, is declared by the authorities in the country under whose purview the ports come.

“All commercial ports in Sri Lanka are owned and operated by the SLPA. Therefore, it is the SLPA that takes on the onerous responsibility in ensuring all its ports are safe for the purpose they are built for in order to safeguard its reputation as well as the national interest, which will never be compromised. The Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Magam Ruhunupura has already received ISPS Certification as per the IMO recommendation and the UN Locator Code ‘LKHBA’ has also been allocated.

“On the other hand, vessels plying the high seas are insured against various eventualities by a host of underwriters who provide protection and indemnity liability, hull and machinery cover to ship owners. The fact that vessels did enter the Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Magam Ruhunupura in November which was witnessed by many thousands will confirm the report that was published is false and misleading.

“The Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Magam Ruhunupura is a mega national development project that has been launched by the SLPA to ensure a significant contribution from the maritime sector towards the socioeconomic development of Sri Lanka.”