Harbour and airport development on track

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The government has achieved an all time development record in commencement of two new international Ports in Hambantota and Oluwil and also undertaking an international airport in Hambantota in a bid to make Sri Lanka an Asian transport hub.

This has been initiated last year and never in Sri Lankan history that projects of this nature are being undertaken and most importantly executed. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who prefers executing projects rather than talking about them have converted near impossible similar projects to reality.

Kotmale Hydro Power generation project, Norochole and Sampur coal power projects along with the expansion of the Colombo South harbour development were confined to project reports. This was mainly due to the controversy they generated.

However the President did amendments, convinced the people and managed to get the projects off the ground. One of the other things that halted these projects was the funding and due to cordial international relationship the government maintained the final constraint too was taken care of.

Hambantota Port with an Investment of RS 42,212 million will be initially developed as an industrial and logistic port and would be the regions only off shore port. Since the Port is strategically located 10 nautical miles away from the International sea route it would be able to attract many ships for refuelling, generating much needed foreign exchange to the country and most importantly help to convert Hambantota from an underprivileged village to a developed district.

The project includes a 1000 metre long breakwater, two access ways and a tank farm as well creating over 1500 direct employment opportunities in the first stage. This 16 metre deep port is being funded by Chinese assistance and expected to be completed by 2011.

Facilities for passenger ships and conventional vessels are to be completed in 2012. Another objective is to expand the storage facilities in order to reduce the burden of the Port of Colombo. JICA is providing the required funds for the project and when completed the project is to generate 56,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

A second international airport was a major need for the country and to fulfil this the Mattala Airport construction project was launched in December. The project to be completed in 2012 would include a four km long runaway, apron facilities for Aircraft parking and Terminal facilities inclusive of space for cargo handling and also aircraft servicing.

This will help development of infrastructure facilities in the area while providing more direct and indirect employment opportunities for the youngsters in the adjoining vicinity. The expansion of the Colombo Port never got off the ground due to land acquisition problems as well as financial constraints. With these barriers being broken the project has now commenced and is expected to cost Rs: 85,800 million. The main objective of this project is to enhance the container handling and the operational capacity of the Port.The port handling area is being expanded with terminal facilities within the expanded areas of 285 hectares with 750 M broad access road. Long new breakwater with two other small breakwaters being constructed. Three Container terminals are to be built up. All these projects have the financial backing from the ADB.

Oluwil Port Development has now commenced under Danish aid, and a 755 m and 550 m long Breakwaters will be constructed.

The Port will be deepened to 8 metres under the first phase enabling it to handle vessels of 5000 MT. Under its second stage development facilities will be provided to handle vessels with 16000 MT.

A fishery harbour to facilitate 400 fishing boats is also being developed along with this harbour. The project is scheduled to be completed next year.

The main harbour is expected to be spread over 16 hectares and during the second stage of the project the depth level is to be increased to 11 metres enabling it to cater to larger vessels, for example those weighing over 16,000 tons. The capacity in the main harbour is to be expanded to 24 hectares during this stage.

People in the area who lose property for the project will be compensated and authorities have taken steps to release Rs.200 million for this purpose.

Galle Harbour would also create a record in the region by being the first tourist harbour catering to cruise ships, yachts and sail boats. A separate 'Marina' too would be built.

The future Galle Harbour will consist of a multi-purpose quay and a water-breaker. Presently 40 multi-day fishing vessels are using the facilities in the harbour. The harbour development project is scheduled to be completed in the year 2012 and the amount envisaged to spend for this purpose is Rs. 161,912 million. Rs. 3,382 million from this amount will be covered locally and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation will provide Rs. 1,330 million.

One of the biggest natural harbours in the world Trincomalee too is being developed to meet the future demands of the North East.

These projects launched simultaneously and all being completed with the next two years will definitely bring more revenue to the country while attracting more investors as well. Two years down the line Sri Lanka will be called as the nation that has one of the best connectivity both by sea and air in the region.