SLPA looks for greater success in 2018 after landmark 2017

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced the new year with the Government’s pledge to all public sector employees. 

The function to mark the official commencement of work at the SLPA took place yesterday with religious activities held at the Sambuddha Jayanthi Cahithya premises. Speaking at the occasion, SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake said that 2018 became a particularly important year for the SLPA. 

“With a productive salary increment for all employees, SLPA hopes to effectively face global maritime competition and challenges in collaboration with SAGT and CICT. In order to fulfill this initiative, it is important that all employees ensure an efficient service to further increase productivity at the institution. During the year, employees will also see enhanced human resource development through a new human resource development plan. Steps will also be taken to expedite total constructions to commence operations at the East Terminal,” Dr. Dissanayake added. 

The SLPA Chairman also stated that 2017 was a landmark year for the SLPA which had worked to get rid of the burden of high debt through timely strategic procedures implemented with the initiative and under the leadership of the Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe. 

Furthermore, he said that the SLPA, with enhanced efficiency together with other terminals, achieved over six million TEUS at the Port of Colombo in 2017 for the first time in its history. 

“In its journey towards achieving hub status in the region, the Port of Colombo has achieved first place in the South Asian region. I am pleased to extend my gratitude to the management, staff and all employees of the SLPA and other stakeholders who contributed immensely towards such achievements through their dedicated efforts,” said SLPA Chairman Dr. Parakramam Dissanayake. 

SLPA Vice Chairman P.G. Dasanayake, Managing Director H.D.A.S. Premachandra, Additional Managing Director A.D.T. Gunasekara, officials of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, directors and heads of divisions at the SLPA, several staff executive officers, representatives of trade unions and employees of the SLPA were also present at the occasion.