Saturday Nov 30, 2024
Saturday Nov 30, 2024
Tuesday, 16 October 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman was the Chief Guest at the first certification ceremony for 100 students who completed a detailed course on the structure of port tariff and services. This program was developed by the Shippers’ Academy Colombo (SAC) with the support and the endorsement of the SLPA. The award ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation, followed by a port visit for students who had completed the course.
Speaking at the event, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wikrama said the vision of the Government and the Ports Authority is to be a leading maritime hub in Asia. He added that whilst the Government is developing physical infrastructure, they are very keen to have a skilled workforce in order to develop a shipping hub.
“This process has to go in hand-in-glove for us to be successful,” he added.
Commenting on the port tariff, he said SLPA tariff was one of the most competitive tariffs in the region for shipping lines and has been kept steady for more than a decade whilst all other costs have gone up.
He urged the students to talk about this to their clients and promote the country. At the same time he said that good knowledge on this subject would help organise their businesses to be more professional when calculating various charges.
Dr. Wikrama congratulated SAC for conducting this course and the students for completing an important course successfully. He said that he and the SLPA were very pleased to endorse this new thinking focused on development of the industry.
Speaking at the event SAC CEO/MD Rohan Masakorala, whilst expressing his gratitude to Chairman and the staff of SLPA for supporting them to develop this practical course, reminded the trade that now the SLPA has automated its payment system and therefore companies should have a good understating of the tariffs and services so that they can do this operation sitting in their own offices.
“For this you need to have a good knowledge on the tariffs and its operational activities,” he said.
“This action by SLPA will help companies to reduce many extra costs by using the online system to make payments to the ports of Sri Lanka.”
The next intake for this course has been opened and class will begin in January 2013.
