Galle Port to be revamped with $ 175 m investment under PPP

Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Tuesday has approved a plan to develop the Galle Port with an investment of $ 175 million under a Public-Private Partnership.

The aim is to convert Galle into a regional commercial port with additional emphasis on tourism. With new private sector investments, leisure-based commercial activities will be developed as per the proposal submitted by Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

The Galle Port breakwater, currently 10 metres deep, is estimated to cost approximately $ 175 million to expand it to a depth of 18-20 metres.

Following this week’s Cabinet approval, Expression of Interest (EOIs) will be called from the private sector to proceed with the project.

Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Plantations Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday that a feasibility study had been completed on the overall development plan for Galle Port and it had been endorsed by environmentalists and the UNESCO.

Ships calling at Galle Port have been on the decline in recent years. Last year only 22 ships had called at Galle Port as against 43 in 2019 and 84 in 2018.