The SLPA will build its own head office building outside Colombo port to house all its offices in one location, its chairman Priyath Wickrama said.

He said this would cut down congestion inside the port by reducing the number of people entering it as well as make it more convenient for customers.

"Now port customers have to go to 18 places in order to get clearances," Wickrema said. "Also, the SLPA's own administration offices are scattered all over the port. So we plan to have a head office building."

The SLPA had previously looked at buying the Ceylon Continental Hotel on prime commercial property overlooking the harbour.

The new owners of the hotel listed on the Colombo bourse have said they are willing to sell if the price is right.

Sri Lankan hotel share prices have stagnated at low levels after the tourism industry was affected by the down turn in arrivals owing to the ethnic war.

Bandu said the SLPA was now planning to put up its own building near the Fort railway station which is only a couple of blocks away from the harbour perimeter.

The SLPA is trying to get more space inside the harbour for its cargo operations with volumes increasingly steadily in recent months and existing facilities nearing saturation.

Port officials said the SLPA also needs to clear the port to make space available for work on the new deep-draft harbour being built next to the existing port.

Reducing the number of people entering the port has the added benefit of improving security at the port, which is known to be a target of Tamil Tiger rebels, they said.
(LBO-23122008)