LHI designs harbours in Algeria

LHI - The Lanka Hydraulic Institute Ltd has been commissioned for the modelling and designing of the new El Kala Harbour in North-Eastern Algeria. Working together with Hydro Marine Ingeniuers (HMI) of Algeria, LHI will design the new harbour and will also advise the Ministry of Public Works of Algeria on stabilising the old El Kala Harbour.

This is the first time LHI is engaged in work in the African continent. LHI are consultants in Coastal Engineering, Water Resources and Urban Water and have a modern facility in Katubedda, Moratuwa.

The LHI team visited the harbour site in Algeria in March and are already engaged in carrying out the modelling work for the design requirement. "We hope to complete designs in four months.

We are happy that Sri Lankan consultants are engaged in a project so far away from home and in Africa, although we have worked on the design of projects as far away as in Korea before. This is clearly a step in the right direction for Sri Lanka in the area of export of services from Sri Lanka", said Chief Executive / Director of LHI Malith Mendis.

"Sri Lanka should encourage Sri Lankan companies to work abroad rather than continue with the current practice of our workers and professionals going abroad individually to work for companies there. There is no reason why Sri Lankan consultancy firms and contractors cannot work on projects abroad", he said.

LHI has been on a promotion drive in the Middle East and other countries to engage in the design of harbours and ports and held their brand launch in Dubai in November 2005.

"More than 50% of our work now is on overseas projects and this is a trend we hope will continue," said Mendis. LHI has now completed the projects in Korea in the restoration of the Song Do Beach and the Expansion of Busan Harbour.

In the recent past LHI has been engaged in the design of Al Lakbi Harbour in Oman, Al Marjan Off-shore Development in the UAE and the studies on Ellaidoo island in the Maldives.

LHI is currently also engaged in the design of drainage in four inhabited islands in the Maldives under the USAID project.

In Sri Lanka, LHI was involved in the design of the Colombo South Harbour and are now engaged in the development of Galle and Hambantota Harbours. It is also engaged in rehabilitating the Valaichchenai Fishery Harbour.

LHI is an Employee Share Trust owned company with a share holding by the Sri Lanka Government.