SLPA conducts several programs to commemorate President’s first year in office

A number of programs were held at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to mark the completion of the first year of President Maithripala Sirisena.

These programs were held under the patronage of the Minister of Port and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga. Among these programs were, a tree planting campaign at several selected locations   of SLPA and opening of an Ayurvedic Medical Centre at the institution, fulfilling a long standing requirement for the employees.

Parallel to these initiations, a special program was also held at the Mahapola Training Institute (MPTI) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority to enhance the productivity of the employees. This was conducted under the instructions of SLPA Chairman Dammika Ranatunga and organised by the Human Resources Division of SLPA, mainly to focus on the area of enhancing the employees’ potentials towards the development of institution through self motivation. The program was conducted by the leading positive thinking expert and lecturer Deepal Sooriarachchi.

Expressing views at the occasion, Arjuna Ranatunga said that he wished to convey his heartiest congratulations at the commemoration of completion of first year at office of President Maithripala Sirisena. “At this very important juncture, I would also want to initiate discussions towards finding ways to develop this country,” he said.

“What is expected from employees is not to leave home after a service of 30 or 35 years with a gold medal at hand.  Their lives should reach a better standard. I am much delighted to have the opportunity to offer employments for the children of port employees through the ‘Piya Puthu Padanama’ program,” he further stated.

Damika Ranatunga, expressing his views at the occasion stated that he called 2016 ‘a year of challenge’.  “When I assumed duties, I faced a series of new challenges. With the devaluation of the rupee, the amount of debt to be settled at the Port of Hambantota jumped up in a big way. It is a huge challenge now to settle this huge debt. We have planned a series of new ways to find solutions to this issue,” he stated.

Further commenting he said, “We now have a clear vision of how to develop each port by developing them towards separate profit making centres in a specific manner. In the near future, with the expeditious constructions of the East Terminal, we hope to present the Port of Colombo to the world as a central hub port in the region.

The program at the MPTI also enabled employees to forward their suggestions to the management.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Port and Shipping L.P. Jayampathy, SLPA Managing Director H.D.S. Premachandra, Executive Director Sanjeewa Wijerathna, Director (Operations) Jayantha Perera, Director (Southern Port Development) Agil Hewageegana, Chief Administrations Secretary R.M.S. Rathnayake, Chief Human Resources Manager Nirmal Fonseka and a number of higher officers and employees of the institution also attended these events.