The first phase of
the construction of
the Hambantota
harbor is nearing
completion with over
75% work
successfully
completed at
present, Sri Lanka
Ports Authority
sources said. The
port project is
scheduled to be
completed by 2010,
one year ahead of
the scheduled time
period. The project
is expected to be
completed in four
phases and would
take 15 years for
the completion of
the entire project.
The harbor will
enable 33 vessels to
berth at any given
time
post-completion,
while modern
technology will be
utilized to handle
the operational
work.
A
key aspect of the
new economic ties
between Sri Lanka
and China was the
agreement by China
to fund the
Hambantota Port
Development Project
and related
activities at a cost
of US$450 million.
There was also an
additional agreement
to fund the new oil
refinery costing
US$1 billion.
Minister of Ports,
Dilan Perera in an
interview said that
the Ministry of
Ports has under
taken five mega
development projects
including Colombo
South Harbour
Project, Oluvil,
Galle and
Kankesanturai
harbour projects.
“Hambantota might be
the second biggest
city in Sri Lanka.
It is an entirely
new place which
consists of a new
port, airport,
highways and a huge
amount of commercial
buildings,” the
Ports Minister said
recently.
The Minister also
noted that a
comprehensive plan
has been drawn up to
develop the Galle
harbor with a
separate area
dedicated for Yacht
Marina. He said that
the UNESCO Plan will
also be taken into
consideration when
implementing the new
changes to the Galle
development project.
Speaking on the
current development
programs that are
underway in the
southern region
Minister Perera said
that work is being
done in the aviation
sector as well. “The
new airport in the
Southern Province
will be a reality
very soon” the
Minister noted while
adding that with the
construction of the
Arrival and
Departure Lounges at
the Bandaranaike
International
Airport (BIA) a
range of new
features have been
added to the
airport. “The entire
BIA is looking much
better than what it
was. It has been
able to cater to
more aircraft now.
When the second
airport comes up in
Weeravila, more
airlines and
tourists will come
to Sri Lanka,” he
said. Minister
Perera said that the
amalgamation of sea
cargo and air cargo
could immensely
benefit the speedy
development of the
country.
