'Skilled workforce to develop Sri Lanka as a shipping hub'

Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Dr Priyath Wickrema was the chief guest at the first certification ceremony for 100 students who completed a detailed course on the structure of Port Tariff and Services.

The program was developed by the Shippers' Academy Colombo (SAC) with the support of the SLPA.

Chairman SLPA said the vision of the Government and the Ports Authority is to be a leading maritime hub in Asia. He said that while the Government is developing the physical infrastructure, they are keen to have a skilled workforce to develop a shipping hub.

He said that the SLPA tariff was one of the most competitive in the region for shipping lines and has kept it steady for more than a decade whilst all other costs have gone up.

He called upon students to talk about this to clients and promote the country.

He said that a good knowledge of the subject will help organise their businesses to be more professional when calculating various charges.

CEO and MD of the Shippers' Academy Colombo, Rohan Masakorala thanked the chairman and staff of SLPA for the support extended to develop this course.

He said as the SLPA had automated its payment system, companies should have a good understating of the tariffs and services so that they can do this operation sitting in their offices.

For this you need to have a good knowledge on the tariffs and its operational activities, he said. This action by the SLPA will help companies to reduce costs by using the online system to make payment.