Work in progress at the Quay wall at Hambantota Port in dry condition 

A special delegation of the International Monetary Fund Mission visited the Hambantota Port Development Project recently  to inspect the progress of the Hambantota Port. The delegation also  included the Chief of the International Monetary Fund Mission  to Sri Lanka, Dr. Brian Aitkin.  

The first stage of the Hambantita Pot development Project which is kept ahead the schedule  is to be completed by the end of this year. The total cost of the Project is US $ 360 million. An oil tank farm with 14 tanks under the investment is  US$ 76 is also constructed at Hambantota Port.  The tank farm consists of 08 tanks for fuel bunkering facilities for vessels while 03 tanks for aero fuel and 03 tanks for  storing LP gas. The 14 tanks will also have an overall capacity of 80,000m3. Funds for the total Hambantota Port  Project was received from the People's Republic of China following the successful diplomatic  visit of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the people's Republic of China in 2007. 

The 600 metre long jetty of the port is nearing completion and the depth of the basin will be 17 metres.  

Once the Hambantota Port is completed the vessels could save nearly three days sailing of time, fuel and enjoy a number of other benefits at Hambantota. It is envisaged that many of the 4,500oil tankers would anchored at Hambantota for bunkering, ship repairing and also to purchase food, water, medical supplies as well as logistics.  

As Hambantota is to be listed among the busiest harbours of the world, this would make Sri Lanka glorious, as a small country with a booming economy in the entire region.
(DN-01032010)