SLPA Chief tells CASA will expedite work at East Container Terminal

SLPA Chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola in discussion with the Executive Committee and the Advisory Committee of CASA. CASA’s Chairman Iqram Cuttilan of Aitken Spence Shipping Vice Chairperson Shehara De Silva of McLarens Shipping, Sea Consortium Lanka Managing Director Arjuna Hettiarachchi, CINEC Campus Chairman/President Capt. Ajith Peiris, Lanka Shipping & Logistics Chairman Saliya Senanayake, Hayleys Chairman/CEO Mohan Pandithage and Sea Trade Agencies Managing Director Capt. A.V. Rajendra are also present 

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Capt. Nihal Keppetipola last week told a meeting with the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA)  that steps would be taken to expedite work at the East Container Terminal (ECT).

The challenges facing the shipping industry due to the current COVID-19 pandemic were also discussed at the meeting. Here, the views and proposals of SLPA as well as CASA were taken into consideration to overcome these challenges. The contribution of the (CASA) towards the development of the Port of Colombo was also commended at these discussions.

Keppetipola said that the immense support extended by CASA in this regard was highly appreciated by SLPA and personally himself. He also said that the Port of Colombo would further improve all facilities required to carry out the services efficiently and with maximum productivity. 

CASA Executive Committee and the Advisory Council welcomed the Chairman back to SLPA and pledged to extend their fullest support in the ports and shipping sector to make Sri Lanka the maritime hub of South Asia. 

The SLPA Chairman stated that he hoped to submit comments and proposals immediately for the improvement of maritime facilities in the Port of Colombo in line with the Government’s National Policy Framework, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ in order to expedite the construction of the ECT owned by the SLPA in developing Sri Lanka as the Maritime Hub in South Asia. He said, accordingly, a process would also be implemented to expedite the procurement and purchasing of machinery required to expedite the running of the ECT. 

The Chairman further emphasised that the SLPA would provide immediate assistance to expedite the constructions of the West Container Terminal (WCT) of the Port of Colombo, keeping in line with the Government’s policy decisions. 

SLPA’s Vice Chairman Dr. Prasantha Jayamanna, Managing Director Upul Jayatissa, SLPA Directors, Heads of Divisions, Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal P. Silva, CASA’s Chairman Iqram Cuttilan of Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd., Vice Chairperson Shehara De Silva of McLarens Shipping Ltd. and members of its Executive Committee and the Advisory Council were also present at the occasion.