SLPA to collect all payments from shipping lines in US dollars

• Expects US$ 100-200 mn from the move annually

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has decided to collect all possible income through navigation, stevedoring and income from terminals from shipping lines in US dollars instead of Sri Lankan rupees with effect from June 1, 2022, Ports and Shipping Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said.

He said SLPA during last few decades collected these revenues in Sri Lankan rupees.

 “We expect to earn US$ 100-200 million from this process annually once it starts,” the minister said.
During a meeting with Minister Tennakoon, the officials of the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) and Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO) also have agreed to proceed with 
this proposal.

The Minister also said that there are three terminals at the Colombo Port, and two privately-owned terminals are already implementing this and earning income in US$. He said that State-owned terminals too are going to implement this with effect from June 1st.

The Minister said that this process is applicable only to shipping lines and related services.