28 March 2020 12:00 am
All ships calling at Ports in the country have been exempted from demurrage and entry charges, the President’s Media Division said.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman (Rtd) General Daya Ratnayake said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed the SLPA to immediately provide necessary facilities to ships calling at Ports during the curfew period and offer more relief so as to continue regular operations at Ports.
He said measures would be taken to grant required facilities to the business community at the Port premises to ensure uninterrupted import and export mechanism.
“Sri Lanka Customs, SLPA terminals operated within the Colombo Port (JCT/UCT and SAGT) and other privately-owned terminals will collaborate in this effort. Facilities will be provided covering every segment,” the chairman said adding that during the curfew period, the yard and warehouse rental charges for imported containers and goods and imported empty containers have been completely removed.
He said harbour gate access permits/individual access permits currently available for trucks, lorries, tippers and bowsers used by the Port for its transportation purposes and harbour gate access permits currently available to agencies and companies for their common/private vehicles (vans, cars, motorcycles) are also valid during the curfew period.
The Police has taken steps to issue licenses for private sector workers engaged in essential and related duties on the recommendation of the SLPA while arrangements have been made to obtain fuel needed for container/freight carriers operating between the terminals and inter-terminals in the port.
Meanwhile, SLPA employees engaged in essential services are to be provided sanitation, welfare and transportation facilities.
Sri Lanka Customs, SLPA terminals operated within the Colombo Port (JCT/UCT and SAGT) and other privately-owned terminals will collaborate in this effort