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This CICT project commenced construction in December 2011 with a project completion time frame of 60 months. But within months CICT revised the timeframe to fully complete the project from the original plan of 60 months to 28 months.
In his address at the ceremony which was also attended by Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao, SLPA Chairman Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama and Managing Director Capt. Nihal Keppetipola among other officials and invitees, Dr. Hu said he was excited by the completion of the CICT.
“On behalf of China Merchant Group and China Merchant Holdings International as well as myself, I want to deliver a feeling of gratitude. Thank you for the attention and support from the Chinese Embassy. Thank you for the close cooperation from SLPA. Thanks you for the hard work conducted by China Harbour. Of course thank you CICT team, this project won’t complete with such a success without your efforts,” he said.
"Early completion of CICT will give a significant boost to ‘Mahinda Chintana’, and provide a significant competiveness for Colombo Port to make itself the transit hub of South Asia
In accordance with the national strategy and corporate strategy, China Merchant Group will further increase investment in infrastructure, such as ports, highways, real estate, and industrial parks. China Merchant will hold it as its responsibility to promote economic development in Sri Lanka
CICT project was the first overseas green field project of CMHI and its success will consolidate the foundation for CMHI to explore further the overseas market – China Merchant Holdings International (CMHI) Managing Director
Dr. Hu Jianhua"
Dr. Hu said the CICT project was the first overseas green field project of CMHI and its success will consolidate the foundation for CMHI to explore further the overseas market.
“As the only deep-water terminal in the whole of south Asia, CICT is capable of handling the largest vessels afloat. There is no doubt that the early completion of CICT will give a significant boost to ‘Mahinda Chintana’, and provide a significant competiveness for Colombo Port to make itself the transit hub of South Asia,” he said.
He recalled that recently Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a strategic vision to build the Maritime Silk Road. “Sri Lanka is just at the centre of this maritime Silk Road. The significance is of self-evident. In accordance with the national strategy and corporate strategy, China Merchant Group will further increase investment in infrastructure, such as ports, highways, real estate, and industrial parks. China Merchant will hold it as its responsibility to promote economic development in Sri Lanka,” Dr. Hu emphasised.
“I wish CICT operate smoothly. I wish our cooperation to be stable, long-term, and win-win,” he added.
Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao in his speech said the occasion was a happy one with many Chinese and Sri Lankan friends present to celebrate the successful completion of South Colombo Terminal Project.
“On behalf of the Chinese government, I hereby express my sincere congratulations to CICT, the investor of this project. The completion of this project is on schedule and well beyond the expectations,” Ambassador Wu said.
New benchmark
“Further, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the strong support extended by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority during the development of this project. I want to express my appreciation for all the hard work by China Harbour and other contractors. Your close cooperation has forged a new benchmark for the construction of ports in Sri Lanka, which I believe will be recorded in history,” he added.
The Ambassador said in recent years, the relationship between China and Sri Lanka has deepened in a mutually beneficial manner.
“We also share a highly corresponding development strategy. In October 2013, Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping put forward a strategic vision to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road with joint efforts. H.E. Rajapaksa also proposed to establish Sri Lanka as the regional shipping hub in South Asia. On the basis of this framework, China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to draw a big picture on mutual cooperation, to further enhance the pragmatic cooperation in the fields of investment, trade and infrastructure construction, and make the new Asian Miracle a reality very soon,” the Chinese Ambassador said.
Noting that the CICT commenced operations in July 2013, he said the operation has proceeded smoothly and has achieved extraordinary results. “With the completion of the whole terminal, the advantages of the Colombo Port, being the only deep water terminal in Sri Lanka will be highlighted not only in the country but in the entire South Asian region. It will greatly enhance the core competitiveness of the Colombo Port in the global shipping industry,” the Chinese Ambassador said.
“The Chinese government will back up the investment and operation of CICT in this terminal, as always. We also encourage CICT’s involvement in the development of East and West Terminals, so that they can make greater contributions to the overall development of the Colombo Port,” Wu added.
