‘Sayura’ academic premises opens at Port Mahapola Training Centre

Monday, 3 April 2023 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva last week opened a new academic premises named ‘Sayura’ in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) located at the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy.

It consists of the latest facilities to create new training courses and opportunities for trainees in the ports and maritime sector.

The Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy conducts courses according to international standards for SLPA employees and those who seek employment opportunities in the commercial shipping sector.

Minister de Silva after recognising the requirement for modernising facilities for maritime education, instructed for the construction of the new educational premises.

He said that he was glad to have such an opportunity to expand the port training centre enabling to provide new knowledge to create new employment opportunities that bring foreign exchange to the country. He also said that it was the right time to remember Late Lalith Athulathmudali who pioneered to establish the Mahapola Training Academy and who made an invaluable service to the development of the port sector in Sri Lanka.

“Professionals and employees serving at the port must update their knowledge at a frequent pace in order to keep up with a vastly developing sector with new knowledge, innovations and modern technologies. Therefore, the port training facility should perform a pioneering task in this area. It should take measures to strengthen the recognition and credibility placed by the international port community on the Port of Colombo located at an extremely important geo-strategic point,” the Minister said.

He also said that he had already discussed with the shipping companies to offer priority for pass-outs from the Mahapola Training Centre when providing jobs in the sector. The Minister highlighted that a program should be arranged to provide students with training for practical knowledge in tugs and other vessels. “Steps will be taken to recruit women gantry crane operators to utilise young spirit to boost productivity in the port sector and also as pointed out by the International Labour Organization,” he said.

Here, it was emphasised that more new disciplines should be introduced at the Mahapola Training Centre along with its expansion and the facility should be upgraded as a Maritime Academy.

Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, SLPA Managing Director Susantha Abeysiriwardena, Director (Human Resources) Nalin Aponso, Director (Security) Maj. Gen. Sudath Perera (Retd.), Actg. Director (Logistics) G. Zavia Miskin, Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal P. Silva, and Chief Manager (Training) S.H. Thilakapala, were among officials who attended the opening.