Sept 27, Colombo: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation stated that the construction of the first stage at the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port will be completed and its operations will begin from the first of June 2024.

This was stated when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy & Transport Chaired by Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, met in Parliament recently.

Officials representing the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation and Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited were called before the Committee for the consideration of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (Amendment) Bill, the Annual Report of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited for the year 2022, the Performance Report of the Ministry of Shipping and Aviation for the year 2022.

Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (Amendment) Bill was approved by the Committee.

Presenting facts before the Committee, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation said 20% progress has been made in the construction of the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port. The construction of the East Terminal is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2025.

Ministry officials also said that 20% progress has been made in the construction of the Western Terminal of the Colombo Port and its construction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025.

Meanwhile, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited stated that it will be making profits after June 2022. Accordingly, in the last 7 months of this year (2023), the company has recorded a net profit of 18 million dollars.

The Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited said that an international conference for aviation related personnel and research groups from all over the world is planned to be held on December 10 this year. Many organizations including heads of the world's leading airlines will be in attendance, he said. Accordingly, the officials informed the Committee that the draft of the national policy which has been prepared so far will be forwarded to the Committee.

Furthermore, the Members of the Committee instructed the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to look into the possibility of transporting the goods by sea during the distribution of goods in Sri Lanka.

Members of the Committee, Members of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena, Kumarasiri Rathnayaka, Government officials including K. D. S. Ruwanchandra, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited) Major General G. A. Chandrasiri (Retd) were present at the Committee meeting held.