Sea water filling into Hambantota Port Basin accomplished

Port site closed for visitors from 15 October till further notice

Sea water filling into the basin of Magampura Port that commenced following the auspicious ceremony held on 15 August 2010 has now been completed.

The process was carried out according to all relevant theoretical procedures and continued without delay. Accordingly, an area of 43 hectares has been completely filled with sea water to a height of 16 metres.

According to the policy document of the Government, the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ initiated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to make future Sri Lanka a maritime hub of the region, the Magampura Port emerges as one of the five harbours being constructed and developed around the country.

A total of 85% of the total investment of US$ 360 million of Magampura Port construction has been extended by the Exim Bank of the People’s Republic of China.

The project was initiated following the negotiations held during the celebration of completion of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two friendly nations. The remaining 15% of the total investment of the project is invested by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

As further constructions take place within the next few days to come, the land area where the old Hambantota-Katharagama Road was located will also be removed, with the new port and the Indian Ocean being connected via the port approach channel.

An oil tank farm project is also being constructed under the Magampura Port Project with a cost of US$ 76 million. The facility will consist of 14 tanks with a capacity of 80,000 cubic metres. It will consist of eight tanks for marine fuel and three tanks for aviation fuel.

The construction of the tank project has also been expedited parallel to the completion of phase one of Magmpura Port Project. Meanwhile, constructions of the administration building of 75,000 square feet for the Magampura Port have also been commenced and at the completion, the 15-storeyed building will reach a height of 200 feet.

The first vessel is expected to be berthed at Magmapura Port in the month of November this year, which will enable commencement of its operations. A number of foreign and local entrepreneurs have already expressed interest to invest in the business opportunities at the port.

Expressing views on the latest progress of the project, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama stated that with the development of the new port, the targets expressed in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ for the collaborative regional development of the country could be fruitfully achieved through the large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities that are created parallel to the project in the future.

To facilitate the expedited constructions of Phase I of the Magampura Port Project that are nearing completion to commence operations, the port will be kept closed from 15 October 2010 for all visitors around the country until further notice. A large number of citizens of the country including school children visited this mega project during its construction to obtain firsthand experience and knowledge of the project.