1. Katunayake
Expressway earned Rs. 2-3 million in six hours and
2. "Hambantota harbor is congested!! It is one of the 15 largest
ports in
the world that can handle the biggest ships"--Chairman Dr. Priyath Wickrama
told Island-- read on Thanks P
Expressway earns Rs. 2.3 million
<http://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/37758-expressway-earns-rs-23-million.ht
ml>
DAILY MIRROR MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2013
The Road Development Authority said that the -Colombo Katunayake
Expressway-collected a revenue of Rs 2.3 million rupees during the first six
hours of its operations. The collection was from 6 pm yesterday, the time
the road was opened for public, to 12 midnight yesterday. During the
first
six hours of operations nearly about 8500 vehicles traveled up and down on
the expressway. (Sanath Desmond).
2. Congestion at Hambantota port: Vessels anchored in outer harbour await
bunkering
Expansion on the cards to meet growing demand
Island of October 20, 2013
The government will go ahead with the proposed expansion of the newly-built,
US$ multi-million Hambantota port as more berths are required to handle the
prevailing shipping congestion, a top industry official said.
"The two existing berths are fully occupied and there are vessels anchored
in the outer harbor awaiting bunkering", says Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama,
Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
he asserted that the port is very active now and a few more general cargo
berths are needed to cater to the growing demand from shippers.
As a regional trans-shipment port, Hambantota offers immense potential, the
Chairman underscored. "After Phase 11 of this ambitious project is
completed, we can go for more shipping lines and generate greater volumes of
business".
The Hambantota port, built at an estimated cost of US$ 361 million by M/s
China Harbor Engineering Company and Sinohydro Corporation Joint Venture,
began in January 2008 and was completed within the targeted 39 months.
Reacting further to flak that "Hambantota is a port without vessels",
Wickrama said, "The port is now doing brisk business.
As a long-term infrastructure development project, it took us some time to
reach full capacity. After three years, the port has now reached its full
potential".
3. Referring to the Jaya Terminal of the Colombo port, he pointed out that
it was after a lapse of 20 years that the one million TEU (container) target
was achieved. ( 6 time increase) It took another four years for this turnout
to climb to six million.
Long-term infrastructure development projects such as ports do not achieve
their full potential overnight, the SLPA boss continued.
"It takes time and the wait pays in the end". "These are huge
investments.
The benefits of long-term developments projects are passed on to future
generations.
They are for posterity. We are now reaping the full benefits of such
projects launched years ago", Wickrama noted.
4. Q: At the Hambantota port,( original development plan to be completed
by
2023 when around 30 ships can bde berthed at one time) how many new berths
are you looking at to handle the growing demand?
A: Three more general cargo berths. We will need seven to meet the demand
over the next 10 years. Thereafter, we have to expand again. This is
considered a free port and there is significant investor interest in the
zone itself.
Q: Does this port have the depth to accommodate any wide-bodied, modern
vessel?
A: Yes, it can handle any big ship. In fact, there are only 15 ports of this
depth in the world which can take in the big vessels. Even ports in some
developed countries don't have the depth and crane reach to handle
wide-bodies vessels.
We have installed cross cranes at an enormous height. The Colombo port has
the world's largest cranes.( just look see from Galle Face or even colpetty)
5.Q: How would you respond to criticism that Hambantota was not a suitable
location for a port?( just look at the globe on your table to note its
presence on the shortest sea route. That is why the wests' interest on
Trincomalee that led to 90,000 killings. )
Q: This is totally unfounded. This was the best location for a port in Sri
Lanka. Around 1,000-2,000 years ago one of the world's busiest ports was at
located at a place called Godavaya, about 2-3 km from the present site.
'
Hambantota at the time was the main base for trading.
It was after colonization that Colombo and Galle were converted as their
bases.
