'Shipping industry could play vital role in economic uplift'

The Sri Lanka Shippers' Council conducted a field visit to Hambantota International Airport (HIA) and Magampura New Port recently. The tour delegation comprised over 170 participants from member Associations of the Council including exporters, importers, freight forwarders, logistics providers, courier companies and shipping lines.

Chairman Shippers Council, Dinesh de Silva said, "the visit was certainly useful and had given the participants a remarkable knowledge enhancing experience and an opportunity of networking with individuals from different organisations. A steady development in the district could be seen due to the development activities taking place in and around the Hambantota port and airport." He said that there are numerous business opportunities with the port development and the shipping industry could play a vital role in the country's economic contribution. Moreover, the trade could now exploit opportunities to promote both southern sea port and air port.

Sri Lanka's second international airport, Mattala International Airport to be opened in March will accommodate the world's biggest A380 aircraft. The communication tower, depicting a lotus, is now ready with all the communication equipment installed. The runway and the taxi way have been completed ahead of schedule.