ECT to drive revenue at Colombo port
Sri Lanka’s former Army Commander has now a new task to develop the ports as head of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and high on the list of priorities is to get the East terminal up and running.
Commenting on the operations at the East Container Terminal (ECT), SLPA Chairman Gen. (Rtd) Daya Ratnayaka said the previous government had no plans and had not finalised any agreement adding that for the past five years “nothing had happened”.
As a result, he pointed out that “shipping revenue was lost” and this he blamed on the lack of proper decisions taken at the time in ensuring that the ECT operations were effectively carried out.
Under the previous government plans were drawn up to ensure that there could be a joint venture carried out at the ECT with operations carried out by Sri Lanka, India and Japan.
However, the new Chairman observed that since Colombo is a hub “others are trying their level best to have a stake” in the operations at ECT.
“We are still in the process of learning – we got to see how best we can solve these issues,” he pointed out adding that the matters were yet to be taken up with the government.
However, it is learnt that currently advisors close to the President were already working on the issues surrounding the ECT and trying out to work out arrangements to ensure it is operational.
Moreover, in a bid to expedite the work at the ECT the authorities are looking at certain options like obtaining cranes ordered for other jetties to be allocated to the East terminal, he explained. However, these matters were still under discussion.
At present the Chairman noted that ECT requires about six cranes and these are yet to be ordered and it is likely to take about one and half years to be purchased.
Authorities are attempting to expedite the process of ensuring that the ECT becomes operational within a short period of time.
Gen. Ratnayaka met with trade union officials at the SLPA on Tuesday and has been meeting different sections of the employees in a bid to understand their concerns.
He appreciated the fact that the employees “are very aware of the responsibilities” and noted the “trade unions are critical and interested in developing this sector”.
The newly appointed board of Directors has already met and is expected to meet for a second time next week.
The Board of Directors comprises Chairman Gen. Ratnayake, Managing Director Capt. Athula Hewawitharana, Director J.R.U. De Silva and Director Lakmal Rathnayake. The SLPA Vice Chairman is yet to be appointed.