Dr Priyath Wickrama.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority is on a massive investment drive to introduce short term, medium and long-term plans to improve port productivity whilst ensuring the smooth transition of all industry related functions.

“We have introduced a few systems which are working well at the moment and are ready with the physical infrastructure to go ahead with on line payment and clearing system and back office operations enabling any customer to work with Customs without any issue,” Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama said.

In keeping with the machinery replacement plan inside the port, plans are on to purchase gantry cranes to improve the berth and yard production. Accordingly, more rubber tyred gantry will be installed this year and next year.

The entire Port Authority administrative activities will also be shifted near the Customs Office, making all the prevailing delaying cargo clearing processes and related issues easy. There will be a central administrative building and that will act as a one-stop-shop and freight forwarders and shippers will also get space in the building,” Dr. Wickrama said.

According to Dr Wickrama , there are certain limitations in the port when it comes to increasing the number of trucks inside the port and the main priority of the port is to provide a better service to ships.

In some instances, particularly, during peak hours a considerable number of trucks enter the port and it is difficult to allow all truckers inside the port since space to handle all activities is limited.

Four outward and three inward lanes will also be built for port access roads to ease the present congestion.

In addition, Sri Lanka Ports Authority will implement a new security camera system inside all warehouses shortly which will make all the cargo handling processes easy, quick, and modern.

Accordingly, some warehouses will be partially automated. This security system will lead to less pilferage and damage cargo and reduction in accident costs.

“Some rules and regulations to be introduced to prevent the over traffic situation inside the Colombo city limits will definitely limit cargo movements during the peak hours whilst hampering the entire domestic volume growth. However, Customs has already expressed consent to handle night time delivery. At least, Colombo City traffic will need to find a solution until we shift our operations to the Peliyagoda cargo village.” Dr Wickrama said.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority has also received clearance from the Urban Development Authority to build a rail track to transport cargo from the Port to the Peliyagoda cargo village.

Accordingly, all deliveries will take place at the Peliyagoda cargo village after completion of construction work. The Road Development Authority has also been instructed to construct a flyover at the Ingurukade junction for the public.

“At the moment the traffic system provides less priority to trucks that leave the port. Having a flyover at the Ingurukade colour lights will improve efficiency of port activities,” Dr. Wickrama said.
(DN-28102011)