New ports minister to appoint maritime professional to SLPA

Sri Lanka’s new Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said he would appoint a qualified person with updated knowledge on the maritime sector as the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman.
He also said no political influence would be entertained in appointing a person to this important position.
The minister made these remarks at a special meeting held yesterday with the representatives of the port trade unions at the Ports and Shipping Ministry. 

Samarasinghe’s predecessor, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, was inducted as the Petroleum Resources Development Minister in the cabinet reshuffle carried out by President Maithripala Sirisena this week.
Ranatunga had appointed his brother Dammika Ranatunga as the SLPA Chairman.