The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is waiting for a final decision from the Government regarding the Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC) signed between Sri Lanka, India, and Japan to launch the development activities within the East Container Terminal (ECT), according to SLPA Chairman Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake.

 that only one-third of the ECT was currently operating as only a 400 m section of the 1,300 m long terminal was so far completed.

He said once the Government terminated the MoC signed with Japan and India, the SLPA was ready to launch the development activities of the ECT.

Meanwhile, Ports Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena told the media that the Government would not sell the ECT to any foreign country, yet clarified it would be developed utilising foreign investments.

The operations of all terminals at the Colombo Port were restored following the recent paralysis of the port’s operations for several weeks as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

All steps were taken to make the operation of the Port of Colombo as efficient as possible by working in conjunction with the Terminal. To this end, operations and inter-terminal exchanges were properly managed as planned, the SLPA noted.