Lanka, Asia's aviation and port hub soon

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Sri Lanka would be made one of Asia's most sougth after aviation and port hubs in less than three years making it the 'wonder of Asia," said Deputy Port and Aviation Minister Dayasritha Tissera in an interview with 'Sunday Observer.' He said these two sectors have never seen such a development taking place at a such rapid pace in the history of the country.

For centuries, the Colombo Port had limited development. The shipping sector had called upon the authorities for several years to expand the port but with no avail.

"However after President Mahinda Rajapaksa took office, one of his top priorities was the development of the Colombo Port and he went ahead with the Colombo South Harbour development project".

"This will improve performance of the Colombo harbour and also ease congestion in the Port which was a burning issue for the shipping sector," he said.

The minister said that one of the main problems for shippers was the war risk premium imposed on them. However, with the end of the war this too has now been done away with increasing revenue for stakeholders.

The minister said that there are plans to construct a railway track within the port to facilitate Port operations. Plans are also underway to refurbish the passenger-waiting areas.

"We are expecting major passenger cruise liners to anchor at the Colombo Port while there would also be internal passenger services to Galle, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai".

The Deputy Minister said he was disappointed that some of the former ministers only treated Colombo Port as an agency to provide employment to their supporters, "it was former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa who changed this situation and implemented a sound management policy," he said.

The Deputy Minister said that Hambantota project too was merely confined to surveys and discussions in the past. He praised the President for making a long felt dream a reality, by giving effect to Port project. "Only the President could make this a reality as he is the only politician of this country who acted boldly".

Sri Lanka has created history in building three international ports. One should remember the fact that Sri Lanka did all these while launching its humanitarian operation against the world's deadliest terrorist organisation," he said.

The Oluvil Port under construction will be opened by the end of the year. "This would be built with both cargo and the fisheries interests in mind and would be a great asset to the Eastern province," he said. The Kankasanthurai Port is next in line to be made an international harbour creating new vistas for the Northerners."

They would have a direct access for imports and exports and soon the commodity prices in the North and Colombo would be same.

"The Government has also planned Trincomalee and Galle under its scope of development," he said.

Improving the infrastructure and strengthening the Port network would enable the country to pin its hopes for a strong economy. It would also bring in more foreign direct investments as the investors would have facilities to export their products through several harbours adding value to the country from an investment perceptive.

Airport development

Commenting on the aviation sector, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka had a dire need for a second international airport.

"Several proposals were made to construct airports at different venues mostly to please the ego of politicians and finally Weerawila was selected.

"However, as there were many environmental and relocation issues relating to Weerawila site we shifted the venue to Hambantota.

The Government could have gone ahead with Weerawila. However, this shows that President is not a dictator and he does not want to comprise the welfare and environment for the sake of development", he said.

He said that the construction of the new airport has now been launched and the first plane is expected to land in two years. "Unlike Colombo Mattala could accommodate the modern double decked a 380 aeroplanes," he said.

In addition, the Colombo international airport too is being re-developed with more infrastructure facility being added to cater to the rising demands.The domestic aviation sector is another area that is being developed.

"We want to create a domestic network similar to that of India. Regional airports are also being developed and we are also looking for investors to operate domestic flights," he said.

He said together with Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardane, they would seek more ways and means to reactivate the domestic air sector where flying would no longer be a luxury.