Deputy Minister urges SLPA’s executive officers to play developmental role

Deputy Minister of Port and Highways Rohitha Abegunawardhane stated that Port Executive Officers should be ready to accept the developmental challenges and Government financial resources should be utilised in the right way.

The Deputy Minister expressed these views at a special function organised at the Mahapola training Institute of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) last week to present commemorative souvenirs to all Executive Officers of SLPA to mark the inauguration of Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port last year.

The Deputy Minister added that SLPA is currently shouldering several mega development projects to assist the socio-economic developmental of Sri Lanka launched under the present Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and there existed a major role to be played by all Executive Officers of SLPA to work towards the success of these projects with a better attitudinal change.

“Many are trying to misguide the public with wrong and inaccurate details and through media, pointing out that the port has become an unprofitable institution. This is opposed reality. At present, the port is earning higher profits. It is also in the process of settling loans obtained for the initial stages of development, and due to the weakness of the previous agreements, we have been compelled to settle these loans in Japanese Yen. This is a great disadvantage and is consuming a large sum of money. Therefore, financial utilisation will have to be attended with accuracy and care,” he said.

The presenting of souvenirs to all Executive Officers of SLPA had been organised by the Nidahas Sevaka Trade Union of the SLPA.  The Working Director of SLPA Prasanna Kalutharage, all heads of divisions, executive officers and representatives of  trade unions of SLPA were also present at the occasion.