New Port opening promises economic boost for Sri Lanka

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New Port opening promises economic boost for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's new deep sea port at Magampura harbour, Hambantota on the south coast of the island will today (Thursday 18 November) officially open with the ceremonial docking of the first vessel to use the port facilities.
In a ceremony presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as part of the week long festivities surrounding his official inauguration into his second term in office, the first vessel will drop anchor in Hambantota's Magampura port to a traditionally warm and colourful Sri Lankan welcome.
The vessel, a traditional sailing yacht, was chosen in recognition of Sri Lanka's age old role as a key stopping point on the ancient east-west silk trading route. It will follows into harbour with the Sri Lankan passenger ship Jetliner.
Phase One of the port, operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority completed ahead of the scheduled time in April 2011, is an integral part of the Government's programme of positive economic action and reconstruction of transport and trade infrastructure after the successful conclusion of the three decade long struggle against LTTE terrorism. It lies at the heart of a strategy to make Sri Lanka an import/export, marine services and transshipment hub at the locus of key worldwide shipping routes.
The port is located just 10 nautical miles from one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, used by up to 200 cargo vessels every day and can handle vessels of up to 100,000 DWT.
A government spokesman said: "The successful completion and opening of the superb docks and cargo facilities at Hambantota epitomizes the determination of the Sri Lankan Government and people to capitalise on the opportunity that is offered by the island's new era of peace, to bring prosperity to all.
"The opening of first phase of Hambantota port ushers in a new era which will transform the face of Sri Lanka's important transport and shipping industry. We look forward to welcoming increased global trade through what is one of the world's most modern ports."
Phase one of the new Hambantota port was constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company at a cost of some US$ 360 million and includes provision for a high quality passenger terminal, cargo handling, warehousing, bunkering, provisioning, maintenance and repair, medical supplies and customs clearing facilities.
The 2,000 hectares of hinterland immediately surrounding the new port is to be developed as a dedicated investment and industrial zone with 65 domestic and international investor businesses having already expressed an interest. It is anticipated that, once phase 2 of the Hambantota port project is completed in April 2011, the port will provide 40% of Government income by 2020 and create 25,000 new job opportunities.
Further Government expansion of, and investment in, modern port facilities is underway at Galle, Oluvil, Trincomalee, Kankasanthurai and Colombo.
Courtesy : Government official website