Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation to assist SLPA

Chairman SLPA, Keith D Bernard, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Senior Advisor, Brian Varney, Senior Regional Manager, Asia Pacific, Joseph C. Traini, Commercial/ Economic Assistant, Economic Affair Division, US Embassy Colombo, Thiloma Abayanayaka, , Foreign Policy Advisor, US Department of transportation, Luke Zahner and Regional EXBS advisor, Sarah Welsh and other senior official of SLPA after the meeting

Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation confirmed their assistance to Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to develop various areas of the Port Sector when Chairman of SLPA, Keith Bernard met officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation at the Chairman’s office at HQ Colombo last week.

US officials also assured of strengthening the relationship with the U.S. Department of Transportation and discussed further collaboration between the U. S Department of Transportation and SLPA.

The Chairman of SLPA Bernard at the discussions updated the U.S. officials on future developments of the Port of Colombo (POC) and especially, the East Container Terminal ( ECT )and the West Container Terminal (WCT).

He also talked of the development of logistic facilities in the Port of Colombo and emphasized the need of further training and required areas of training in the sector for SLPA staff personnel.The Chairman also thanked the outgoing Consultant Brian Varney, Senior Advisor, Maritime Administration, and U.S. Dept. of Transportation for his service and contribution to Sri Lanka’s maritime and transportation sector.

He welcomed Joseph C. Traini, Senior Regional Manager, Asia Pacific, US Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary as the incoming consultant.