Mar 30, Colombo: Training wing of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Mahapola Port and Maritime Academy’s new campus "Sayura" with modern facilities for training courses was inaugurated Thursday (30) by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Mahapola Port and Maritime Academy conducts training courses according to international standards for the employees of the Sri Lanka Port Authority and those seeking training opportunities in the merchant shipping sector.

The new center was recreated on the full instructions of the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, who recognized the need for modern facilities for maritime training.

Speaking on this occasion, the Minister said he is happy to be able to expand the Mahapola Port and Maritime Academy in order to be able to provide the new knowledge needed to create new jobs for the country to provide foreign exchange.

Also, it is our duty to remember the late Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali, who was the pioneer in building the Mahapola Academy as well as for the development of the port.

“Port professionals and employees should update their knowledge in a field such as the ports and maritime field that undergoes changes day by day and is updated with modern knowledge and technology. Mahapola University should be a pioneer for that and necessary steps should be taken to establish international trust and recognition of Colombo Port, which is a very important geographical center of the maritime industry,” the Minister emphasized.

The Minister further said that he has already discussed with shipping companies to give priority to trainees who leave Mahapola Academy in providing jobs in the maritime sector and in the future, a program should be set up to provide students with practical knowledge by using tugs and other vessels.

He also said that by recruiting women gantry and crane operators, as stated by the International Labor Organization, the port productivity will be increased in the future through the use of youth.

The Minister emphasized that just as Mahapola Institute was expanded, the number of its academic fields should be increased to impart its knowledge and it should be developed further as a Maritime Academy.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Acting Chairman Gayan Algewattage, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Managing Director Susantha Abeysiriwardena, and a large number of officials participated in this occasion.