The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced the year 2012 offering priority to all religious functions and wishing good courage and confidence to work as one team towards the socioeconomic development process of Sri Lanka.

Expressing views at the occasion to commemorate the commencement of work at SLPA in the New Year yesterday, 2 January 2012, Minister of Ports and Highways Rohitha Abeygunawardena stated that the SLPA was working ahead towards making Sri Lanka the hub port of Asia as envisioned in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ programme of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He also stated that he would extend his fullest cooperation to the current developmental procedures launched by SLPA and initiated by SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama.The SLPA Chairman speaking at the occasion said that a major requirement existed to develop ports around the country in order to boost the national economy and strengthen its sustainability at a time Sri Lanka is progressing with the dawn of peace obtained under the timely leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.“With the team spirit of all sectors of SLPA to work ahead with the management of the institution, we will make 2012 a successful year for SLPA,” he added.

At present, construction is being carried out at the Colombo Port Expansion Project, while steps have also been taken to upgrade and develop the road network facilities inside the Colombo Port. Facilities at the Jaya Container Terminal are also being elevated. The constructions of the latest one-stop administrative building for the SLPA will also be commenced shortly.

With joint efforts and agreements reached among the Nidahas Sevaka Sewaka Sangamaya, Jathika Sewaka Sangamaya, Podu Sewaka Sangamaya and other trade unions of SLPA, an effective salary hike has been obtained for the employees from 1 January 2012.

The Chairman also stated that it was appreciated that the discussions made at these junctures assisted the reaching of agreements with the management and the trade unions to work for a better salary hike with no interruption to the future developmental procedures of SLPA.
(FT-05012012)