Minister Nimal Siripala orders Rs. 3.5 b to expedite ECT

Monday, 30 January 2023 00:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has ordered officials to release Rs. 3.5 billion to expedite the SLPA-managed East Container Terminal in the Colombo Port.

He gave this directive during a special meeting on Friday to review the construction work of two major projects in the Colombo Port namely the ECT and the Jaya Container Terminal Phase-05 (JCT-05) projects.

The Minister instructed the officials of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to remove the obstacles to the construction of two terminals within the specified timeframe and provide the same facilities to the contractors.

He also informed that the contractors should complete the construction works of those terminals as agreed within the specified time limits.

The construction works of JCT-05 should be completed by the end of the year 2023 and accordingly, the problematic situation that occurs in providing berthing facilities at the edge of the terminal for longer ships will be avoided and the ports authority officials pointed out.

To speed up the work of the ECT terminal, it has considered the request made by its contract company to provide the money due to them immediately and legally certified the relevant bills and received the due payments.

The Minister instructed to pay the amount of $ 6.1 million and Rs. 1 billion if the relevant company has taken action.

The Minister emphasised that the remaining amount of Rs. 1.667 billion should be paid within three weeks (with taxes) and that the construction work of the ECT terminal should be expedited.

He advised the officials of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to strengthen its cash reserve and give priority to the development activities of the ECT terminal while spending that money.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, Additional Secretary Nayana Somaratne, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Vice Chairman Gayan Alagiyawattage, Managing Director Susantha Abeysiriwardena, and Chief Legal Officer Aparna Thilakaratne were present.