India could develop Colombo, Trinco, KKS ports: Arjuna

31 March 2017 01:28 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Though China is deeply rooted in Hambantota port, Sri Lanka has three other major ports in Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai where India could collaborate for development, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has said.

According to Z News, Minister Ranatunga has said the government was looking at an Asian subcontinent investor to partner with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to invest and take over the East Container Terminal (of Colombo port) in private-public partnership mode.

"India has shown interest in the East Terminal and Colombo port. Seventy-five per cent of the trans-shipment goes to India. India is looking at getting a stake in Colombo port. There are a couple of private companies that came and spoke, and we will look at them in a positive manner," he has told IANS on the sidelines of an international event held in Dakhla.

According to reports, the state-run Container Corporation of India (Concor) has formed a consortium with APM Terminals B V, John Keells Holdings and Maersk Line to bid for the development of East Container Terminal in Colombo. The total project value is likely to be about $550-600 million.

The South Terminal of the Colombo port is already owned and operated by state-run China Merchant Holdings (International).

Colombo Port is the busiest in Sri Lanka and ranks among the top 35 ports in the world.

Minister Ranatunga said that India is also "very keen" on Trincomalee Port. He said a Singaporean company, Subarna Jurong, is doing a feasibility report on developing the Trincomalee port city, while the Asian Development Bank is covering the port development project.

"India has shown big interest in Trincomalee, as there are petroleum tanks there, and the Indian Oil Corporation has been there for many years," he said.

Lanka IOC, a unit of the Indian Oil Corporation, maintains several oil tanks at the Trincomalee tank farm.

Ranatunga said the feasibility report would be submitted in three months, and the government would take a call after that.

"We shall be calling for tenders. The government will decide," he said, on the sidelines of the Crans Montana Forum on Africa and South-South Cooperation in Dakhla where he also presented a paper.

Asked if China would bid for Trincomalee, he said: "I think China is very much settled in Hambantota. China Merchant Group has a container terminal in Colombo and they are quite comfortable with Hambantota."

He said Sri Lanka is also looking to develop the Kankesanthurai port in the north. "It is quite close to India. It is not a container port, it will be more for transportation, for cement and people."

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Comments - 25

Hiran Friday, 31 March 2017 10:14 PM

We rather be Chinese supporters than the supporters of hypocritic Indians

lokka Saturday, 01 April 2017 07:11 PM

all indian haters started singing together have we got any technology at least make a push bike

kk Saturday, 01 April 2017 05:00 PM

you too....ARJUNA via DM Android App

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR ? Saturday, 01 April 2017 12:52 PM

Whether one likes it or not the adage "LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR" is not applicable in this case. Although they call themselves as even a secular state - certain actions are far from this declaration

gani Saturday, 01 April 2017 12:21 PM

Susil you appear to be a frog in the well. Go and visit the Mumabi Nava Sheva port and many other such ports in India.All of them were designed and built soley by Indian engineers and also funded entirely by India themselves

suresh Saturday, 01 April 2017 12:19 PM

Saman do you think Sl has the money to undertake such development projects

Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 01 April 2017 12:09 PM

There is an aversion in this country against India, which is based only on envy, contempt, jealousy and a feeling of own inferiority. India is definitely the better partner. Chinese first lured their partners into the debt trap and then exploited them mercilessly. In addition, the quality of Chinese products is far below those of Indian.

JAN Saturday, 01 April 2017 11:51 AM

ARJUNA you are not a professional to handle our biggest economic projects at ports pl step down and asked for Sports ministry via DM Android App

Ahmed Saturday, 01 April 2017 11:35 AM

what kind of thinking is this ? its like saying india deserves trinco and other ports just because china is heavily investing on hambantota port ? did he forget sri lanka is an independent country ? as an independent country sri lanka can do business with any country.

John Saturday, 01 April 2017 10:45 AM

If the Chinese shirt lasted for two weeks,similar Indian shirt would not last more than two days.

Dr.Raghav Sharma Saturday, 01 April 2017 10:34 AM

Way back in 2002, I bought a micro fiber shirt of Chinese made for Aus$20 and it lasted only for two weeks.On contrary, the Aussie made same texture bought for Aus$96 is still looking as a new.Then you can imagine the quality control.

Dr.Raghav Sharma Saturday, 01 April 2017 10:31 AM

Name any field, Chinese products

Punny Pellow Saturday, 01 April 2017 08:26 AM

He is batting, bowling, fielding and umpiring for India, though unable to run more than a few meters!!!!

Haris Friday, 31 March 2017 03:44 PM

Arjuna is batting for India!!

kumar Friday, 31 March 2017 07:42 PM

Why only India? Invite all the countries to develop each districts in Sri Lanka

Saman Friday, 31 March 2017 07:39 PM

If its anyone to develop Colombo it should be Sri Lanka, Not China, Not India, Not America. Stop selling national treasures and have good plant to benefit whole country.

RetiredPort Friday, 31 March 2017 06:29 PM

Minister`s thinking is very reasonable.Colombo`s container trade is much dependent on transhipment and that was so even in the 1980s.When our domestic volume of imports/exports only provide 25-30% of total trade, transhipment volume is critical and if 75% is from India we must retain that and improve on it. Hence Indian partner having port experience is very advisable. The Agreement must be drafted to avoid any unhealthy situations. But delay in ECT is going to be harmful .

lonpol Friday, 31 March 2017 06:14 PM

Ask them to develop their own ports before developing SL ports.

Mason Friday, 31 March 2017 06:11 PM

Long before China was seen in the horizon, it was to India we went for various help and they did not fail us. Now that what was in horizon is close, we must not ignore our former friends and RUN BEHIND the NEW friends.Seeing China's attitude globally, and how they treated their youth in Tinnamen Square, we must be cautious in dealing with them.Welcome Minister Ranatunge's views.

Roy Friday, 31 March 2017 05:47 PM

Arjuna these are strategic assets. dont rush.

jeewan Friday, 31 March 2017 05:43 PM

yes, yes sell all our ports in the name of private partnership

Ayyo Friday, 31 March 2017 05:34 PM

Mr. Minister: Let the nation decide...pleaaase!

Susil Friday, 31 March 2017 05:22 PM

They do not have the technology and know-how to develop world-class ports.

Kumar Friday, 31 March 2017 05:22 PM

Minister Ranatunga, Are you a FOOL or a Traitor or Both ?

Bala Friday, 31 March 2017 05:19 PM

You have been shopping for India for a long time.

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India could develop Colombo, Trinco, KKS ports: Arjuna

Comments - 25

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