Minister Nimal Siripala observes progress of SLPA

Progress meeting of SLPA held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva with Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, SLPA Vice Chairman G.U.K. Algewattege and senior management officials

• Issues instructions to boost operational efficiency 

A special progressive meeting to discuss the current issues in view of the need to expedite ongoing development activities and programs at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was held recently at the auditorium of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation.

The meeting was held with the initiative of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva and with the participation of the higher management of SLPA. The Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation K.D.S. Ruwanchandra and SLPA Vice Chairman Gayan Algewattege also attended the meeting.  

Information sources of the SLPA Finance Division revealed that during the first and second quarters of 2021, the revenue generation of SLPA slightly decreased compared to the first and second quarters of this year. Due to the present economic recession faced by Sri Lanka and trade union actions launched in support of the ‘Galle Face Aragalaya,’ about 17 ships to be called at the Port of Colombo (POC) were diverted to other ports in the region.

It was also revealed in these discussions that due to these issues, several shipping lines are still reluctant to avail the services of the port. The Minister instructed the Marketing and Business Development Division of SLPA to take necessary steps to acknowledge the shipping lines and their local agents through effective discussions that the port operations were restored and back to normal and strengthen efforts towards attracting more ships to Colombo. 

The Minister also commended the steps taken to purchase new cranes with a financial utilisation of $ 46 million for the East Container Terminal (ECT) even amidst prevailing difficulties and emphasised that his objective was to offer priority towards the development activities of the terminal. The Minister directed the officials to facilitate financial allocations for the remaining ECT construction work on a priority basis. He also instructed SLPA officials to discuss with the relevant contractors and engineers on the progress and future plans of the construction activities of the ECT and report him on their current status.

Further speaking at this meeting, the Minister emphasised that the welfare of the employees who perform dedicatedly towards efficient and productive operations and the development of the port should be strengthened and instructed to take immediate actions for the issues pertaining to the quality of meals and food items provided for the employees. On the instructions of the Minister, a special committee headed by the Vice Chairman of SLPA was appointed to resolve these issues.

The Minister also instructed to start planning suitable meal and food menus contacting the Health Ministry to prepare a nutritional package of meals for the SLPA employees. Considering the dilapidated condition of the present port central kitchen, the Minister said that steps should be taken to construct a new central kitchen for SLPA with modern facilities to give qualitative meals and food items for the employees. 

Addressing the officials in the Medical Division of SLPA the Minister instructed them to take measures to purchase a new bed-side monitor, presently needed at the Division for patient care and observation and also take steps to replace broken X-ray machines with new machines under tender procedures. In the discussions, attention was focused on the Ports of Galle and Trincomalee and commencing port related industries in them. Accordingly, the Minister instructed to re-evaluate the proposals received from suitable investors and act according to relevant procurement procedures to obtain investments without delay. 

The Minister also pointed out the importance of further strengthening the SLPA’s Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy in order to train seafarers and establish enhanced facilities for the youth of the country willing to take increasing opportunities in the commercial maritime sector. The Minister noted that the sector is a good opportunity to increase foreign exchange revenue in the country and instructed officials of the institution to immediately take steps to utilise buildings already under SLPA to extend training facilities for the purpose.

He also instructed relevant officials to take measures to overcome shortcomings in the institutional employee recruitment procedures and institutional procedures pointed out by the port trade unions and noted it was essential to acknowledge trade union representatives and consider their views and proposals as well, when preparing a new institutional procedure for the submission for approval of the Department of Management Services.