“More economic benefits by developing regional harbour networks”

Sri Lanka can reap even bigger economic benefits by developing the regional harbour networks and this area is now being pursued, said Chairman (SLPA) Keith D. Bernard (Pictured).

In an interview with ‘Daily News Business’ Bernard said that all the regional harbors are engaged in international business in both passenger and cargo.

“We have observed that developing them could yield more revenue to the SLPA”

He said that the SLPA invested around Rs. 500 million and developed the Kankesanturai (KKS) harbour with the assistance of the Sri Lankan Navy and added a passenger terminal as well.

“This helped the harbour to be converted as a facilitator for the Cordelia cruises originating from the Channel and docking at Hambantota and KKS as well.”

In addition KKS is also the starting point for the ferry service between Sri Lanka and India. He also said that for the first time KKS also moved in the cargo business by helping to export phosphate.

“We are expecting a USD 45 million credit line from India to further develop KKS and provide increased facilities.” He said they will soon call for expressions of interest for Galle harbour seeking an international or local investor to convert it to a tourism harbour. Bernard said that the Trincomalee harbour too was installed with ‘night lighting’ making it a 24 hour operational harbour.

“We have a lot of land in Trincomalee and we hope to offer them to the private sector to develop housing and other port related developments. We are working with the Urban Development Authority in this regard as well.”

He said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is working with a Singaporean company to develop Trincomalee and the harbour too is identified under this development.

He said that they are also looking to assist in the development of the Oluvil harbour and convert it to an international fisheries harbour with a local investor who is already invested in it and also with the Ministry of Fisheries.

He also disclosed that the SLPA is building a new 17 storeyed headquarters in Colombo and it is expected to be completed by August 2024.

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