Government of Sri Lanka, in its plan to give impetus to economic development in the Eastern region, has decided to build a port at a site in Oluvil. Under the “Nagenahira Navodaya” Programme which was launched to expedite the development activities in the region, higher priority was given for the Oluvil Development Project which will no doubt be an economic infrastructure the catalyst for the growth of the Eastern Region of Sri Lanka.

This port will form the southeastern link in the developing chain of coastal harbours in the country and will provide more convenient and cost effective access to and from the southeastern region for goods and cargo originating on the west coast.

The proposed project comprises the construction of a Commercial harbor and a basin for the fishing crafts and it covers a land area of 60ha in the first stage and 105ha in the second stage. The harbor basin would cover an area of 16ha of the sea and would spread 1.2km along the coast line.

Project Staff :-

SLPA              : Project Director -  Mrs. D.G.I.C. Lokuhewage  - Chief Engineer                                                            Contracts & Designs Division

                         Dy. Project Director – Mr. M.S.S. Devapriya    - Dy. Chief Engineer                                                      Contracts & Designs Division

Contractor      : "MTHOJGAARD", Denmark

Project Details:-

Date of Commencement        : 1st July 2008                                             Contract Period                     : 27 months                                               Estimated Cost (Stage-1)      : Euro 46.1 million                                         Source of Funding                 : Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark (DANIDA)

Project Features

Stage I - Commercial Harbour

   Harbour basin for 5000 DWT ships

   Break water  length              -           1320 m

   Harbour Basin Depth             -           8 m

   Quay wall                            -           330 m

   Total water area                  -           10 ha  

   Other facilities                     -            Pilot Station, Prefabricated Warehouse,
                                Administration Building, Engineering Staff
                                Building, Officers’ Quarters, Police Station,
                                Canteen and Toilet Blocks.

Fishery Harbour

   Small Craft Basin Depth         -           3 m

   Quay wall (small crafts)         -           220 m 

   Total water area                  -          06 ha

   Other facilities            - Ice Plant & Cold Storage Facilities, Fish Auction Halls,
            refrigerated storage, Net Mending facilities &  Administration
            Building and facilities.

Stage II- Development the Harbour to cater for 16000 tons ships. 

               Increasing harbour basin depth to 11 m.          

   Construction of  additional 470 m. quay wall &  other structures.

Progress of work as at 28th February 2011:-

Ø      Commencement of the Construction Works :-

Loan Agreement was signed between Nordea Bank, Denmark and Ministry of Finance & Planning of Sri Lanka on 23rd May 2008.

Contract Agreement between Sri Lanka Ports Authority & M/s MTHojgaard a/s, the Contractor was signed on 20th June 2008.

Project construction was commenced on 01st July 2008. 

Ø      Land Acquisition and Purchasing :-

The acquisition & purchasing of lands for the project was completed.

State lands 11 lots and 49 lots of private lands under acquisition are in process by Divisional Secretary, Addalachchenei.

Ø      Compensation to Fishmermen :-

Compensation payments to 806 beneficiaries have been made through the Peoples’ Bank, Addalachchenei.

Ø      Quarry Operations at Piyangala Quarry Site :-

The quarry was handed over back to the Forest Department, Ampara after the obtaining of required rock/ boulders quantities.

Ø         Construction works :-

• Permanent building construction works at Commercial harbour are completed.
• Permanent building construction works at Fishery Harbour are completed.
• Internal roads and access road constructions works are in progress.
• Fishery Harbour quay construction works are completed and yard construction works were completed.
• Commercial Harbour quay construction works are completed and yard construction works are in progress.
• Land development works are in progress.
• Land/ Marine Dredging works of Fishery & Commercial Harbour and beach nourishment works are in progress.
• Construction of Southern & Northern breakwaters, revetment and internal groin are in progress.
• Revetment construction work is completed.
• Construction of Ice Plant and cold storages are completed.
• Construction of perimeter wall is completed.
• Construction works of the perimeter road is commenced and in progress.