The Sri Lanka Ports Authority has extended the date to tender submissions till July 15 for bidders to construct the Colombo South Harbour.

The SLPA authorities took this decision after making a few changes to the Agreement in this regard, Port sources said.

Fifteen mega companies had submitted bids. The Colombo South Port, project was planned for years and due to unavoidable circumstances, implementing the project was delayed.

According to the Ports Authority sources the growth in the world shipping trade and the increasing size of container vessels, Ports Authority was compelled to develop the Colombo port to cater to the emerging shipping needs of the world.

The Government plans to build the Colombo South Harbour along with the on-going port projects in Sri Lanka.

The construction work on the Colombo Port expansion project will be completed on schedule despite the escalation of global construction costs, the sources said.

"We are concerned about the increasing cost for constructing the harbour, but we are compelled to find means to go ahead with the project since it is difficult to ignore the enhancement and fast moving modern development trends in the world.

With all the difficulties we have to keep pace with those development" , sources said.
(DN11062009)