Collective commitment will help to build a better future for ports, says Johnston

Reading the Public Service Pledge

Employees of the SLPA gracing the event

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced duties in the New Year on 1 January at a ceremony blessed with multi-religious activities held at its Chaithya premises in Port of Colombo. Roads and Highways, Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando was the Chief Guest of this event. The ceremony began with the reading of the public service pledge and swearing in to support the newly elected Government’s program. 

Addressing the event Minister Johnston Fernando said: “This year 2020 is very special for all of us in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Port has a unique responsibility to implement the new Government’s development policies, and I believe that the commitment of all its employees will help to build a better future for ports in the country.” 

The Minister also noted that the “short-sighted decisions taken by the previous administration have caused negative impacts on the national economy”. 

While appreciating the new appointment of the SLPA chairperson, the Minister has asserted that the “appointing a leader who led the Army with over 200,000 war heroes as the Chairperson of the SLPA is nothing but laying the strong foundation to enhance the future of the ports”. 

Meanwhile, addressing the event State Minister of Ports Development Affairs Kanaka Herath said: “the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has a unique role to play in strengthening the economy of the country, fulfilling the aspirations of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.”

SLPA newly-appointed Chairperson Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake also addressed the event. 

“I am very happy to join the SLPA as we are welcoming the New Year with a fresh look for a new country,” Gen. (Retd.) Ratnayake said. 

“The Port Authority is one of the national economic empowering institutes and its employees are unique. On the journey of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, all should work together to achieve its mission, the logistic excellence on the silk route,” he added.

“The national leadership is committed to making the country prosperous by making needful decisions based on the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour. Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s goals in 2020 are to accelerate the Colombo South Port Development Project, transform the regional ports into profit-making ports, and protecting employees’ satisfaction,” he further observed. 

Ports and Shipping Ministry Secretary Priyantha Mayadunne, SLPA Managing Director Captain Athula Hewavitharana, Additional Managing Director Upali De Zoysa, Divisional Heads, Executive Officers, Ports and Shipping Ministry representatives and representatives of the trade unions have graced the event. A tree-planting program was also launched to coincide with the commencement ceremony for the year 2020.