Exciting times ahead for Colombo Port: JKH Chairperson

Monday, 5 October 2026 04:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

John Keells Holdings Chairperson Krishan Balendra

Following the achievement of the 2 million TEU mark at Colombo West Container International Terminal (CWIT) and launch of the second phase, John Keells Holdings PLC Chairperson Krishan Balendra last week declared that Colombo Port is bracing for exciting times.

“Port of Colombo has firmly established itself as the leading hub port in the region. New terminal capacity is coming online, and demand continues to grow. As the gateway to one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, the port will remain a major source of foreign exchange and a powerful driver of growth for Sri Lanka,” Balendra told the ceremony to celebrate the twin achievements.

“This is an achievement for CWIT and its partners, and for the Port of Colombo as a whole,” said during his address at the event attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Indian High Commission Santosh Jha, Ports and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka, orts and Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Adani Ports and SEZ CEO Ashwani Gupta, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake.

CWIT’s phase 2 will double its handling capacity to 3.2 million TEUs from 1.6 million.

Balendra recalled that work on CWIT began in 2022 when the world was just emerging from COVID, and Sri Lanka was going through the worst economic crisis in its history. It was not an easy time to commit $ 750 million to a single project, one of the largest investments this country has ever seen.

He emphasised that the Adani Group, as the major investor, made that commitment and kept it. When many investors would have stepped back or waited, they pressed ahead, and that showed real confidence in the Port of Colombo and in Sri Lanka. “That confidence has been rewarded. Despite the scale and complexity of the project, the terminal was built, equipped, and brought into operation ahead of schedule,” Balendra added.

JKH Chairperson thanked Adani Ports, CWIT CEO Munish Kanwar and his team, Indian High Commission, SLPA team, JKH colleagues and to the shipping lines and all other stakeholders for their support and trust.