Slipway to be set up in Beruwala to launch large scale vessels

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has given the approval to set up a slipway in Beruwala to launch large scale vessels, the President's Media Division said.

He had given the approval at a meeting held to discuss the future plans of the State Ministry of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday.

Speaking at the meeting, President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka can be made one of the main maritime hubs due to its strategic location. 

He said harbour facilities could be developed by following the measures taken by the most developed harbours in the world. 

“We need to develop harbours to attract large vessels. The Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee, Kankesanthurai and Oluwil Harbours should be developed and upgraded so that they can provide facilities to international ships,” the President said. 

He said the development of the Eastern and Western Container Terminals of the Colombo Harbour should be expedited. 

The PMD said discussions were made to transform Colombo Harbour as a transshipment hub and to develop new bunkering facilities in the Ratmalana, Peliyagoda and Veyangoda areas.

Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera, Chief of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretaries to Cabinet and State Ministries and others were present at the discussion. (Lahiru Pothmulla)