May 22, Colombo: The construction of the second phase of the Eastern Terminal of Sri Lanka’s Colombo Port commenced today (22) under the patronage of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Speaking at the event, the Minister said the construction work of the first phase of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo port will be completed by the end of this year.

In the first step, the ships will arrive at the Eastern Terminal only to load and unload cargo, and the provision of services is planned to be carried out thereafter.

Commencing the construction of the second phase of the Eastern Terminal, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that since two private terminals are also operating here, he hopes to compete with those terminals and earn higher income once the construction work is completed.

The minister also recalled that trade unions fought a huge battle to protect the Eastern Terminal as a resource owned by the Port Authority.