The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to lease two tugboats for the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) in a bid to strengthen its fleet.

The decision follows a comprehensive assessment of SLPA’s operational needs. 

At the Cabinet meeting held on January 6, 2025, approval was granted to lease two port tugboats of the 70‑ton Bollard Pull (BP) Twin Azimuth Stern Drive type for a fixed period.

In line with that decision, tenders were invited under international competitive procurement procedures, with three bids received. After evaluation, the High‑Level Procurement Committee recommended awarding the contract to the lowest responsive bidder.

Accordingly, the Cabinet endorsed the proposal submitted by the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation to obtain the two tugboats from Sri Lanka Shipping Company Limited for a five‑year term at a cost of USD 17.16 million, excluding applicable taxes and duties. (Newswire)

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Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka inspected the ongoing construction of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s new administrative building, the Maritime Facilitation Centre (MFC).

Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Ministry Secretary W.W.S. Mangala, senior officials, SLPA Chairman Parakrama Dissanayake, and Managing Director Ganaka Hemachandra joined the inspection.

The new complex is being built at the Colombo Fort Canal Yard premises after several SLPA buildings were removed to make way for Port City development and the internal expressway. 

Construction began in July 2021 with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), amounting to Rs. 5 billion and USD 2 million. Originally scheduled for completion within two years, progress was delayed due to the COVID‑19 pandemic and economic challenges. 

Work has now reached about 75% completion. The 19‑storey complex, covering 35,000 square meters, is designed to resemble a sailing ship once finished.

Located near the Customs headquarters, Sri Lanka Telecom, and major banks, the building will provide convenient access for port and maritime service users. Around 1,600 staff from 24 SLPA divisions will be housed in the facility, with easy transport links via Colombo Fort railway station and the central bus terminal.

Construction is being carried out by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the China Railway Group. The project is expected to be completed and handed over to the public by the end of 2026. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium, together with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI) in Belgium, organized a two-day fact-finding visit for an official delegation from the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) in June. 

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy, the fact-finding visit, conducted on 23 and 24 June, aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the port sector between Sri Lanka and Belgium.

The visit was a part of the ongoing dialogue between the SLPA and the PoABI initiated by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels in mid-2024, to connect the Colombo Port and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, the second largest port in Europe. T K. G. L. Hemchandra, the Deputy Harbour Master (Trincomalee), Sriyantha Arampath & H. B. A. Subhashini joined the visit.

During the visit, the SLPA officials held discussions with senior staff of PoABI and Antwerp/Flanders Port Training Center (APEC). Vice President of International Relations & Networks at Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, Luc Arnouts, also joined the discussion. Both sides initiated talks on a prospective Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU) aimed at fostering collaborations in key areas such as information & knowledge exchange, reciprocal visits, sharing of best practices, logistic cooperation, exchange of technical expertise & investment cooperation and support initiatives in port digitalization and innovation.

As part of the programme, the delegation visited the DP World Antwerp Gateway terminal on the left bank of the Scheldt River, where they were able to learn about automation in terminal operations. The team also visited the CMB TECH Hydrogen Refuelling Station in Antwerp.     

The insightful and engaging two-day programme provided the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) delegation with a comprehensive understanding of the operational landscape of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Through meaningful exchanges of ideas and perspectives, both parties laid a strong foundation for future collaboration between the two ports.

The Associate Manager-Regional Lead Indian Subcontinent at PoABI, Achille Sobry, APEC Training Executive-Key Account Indian Subcontinent at APEC, Ken Houtevelts, Minister Commercial of the Embassy, Thavishya Mullegamgoda, and Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Antwerp, Monique De Decker-Deprez, joined the meetings and site visits. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lankan Professionals Association in the UAE (SLPA-UAE) successfully hosted its 6th Annual General Meeting at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre, marking a new chapter with the appointment of its Executive Board for the 2025–2027 term and the signing of a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SriLankan Airlines.

The event was graced by the Hon. Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates, Alexi Gunasekara, along with representatives from Haran Group FZE, Sanji Caldera Associates, SriLankan Airlines, and various member associations.

Duminda Disanayake from the Association of Quantity Surveyors of the University of Moratuwa (QSUM-UAE) was appointed Chairman. The 27-member Executive Board represents a broad spectrum of Sri Lankan professional bodies in the UAE. The newly elected Executive Board includes:

Executive Board 2025–2027:

• Chairman: Duminda Disanayake (QSUM)
• Vice Chairman: Kamal Abeysinghe (SLBA)
• Secretary: Ajith Perera (SLHPA)
• Treasurer: Dilum Fernando (SLITPA)
• Assistant Secretary: Muhammath Zirhan (SLPE)
• Assistant Treasurer: Ranjan Dommanige (IIESL)
• Internal Auditor: Kalana Botheju (SLQS)
• Editor: Jude Wickramasinghe (PIMA)
• Media Coordinator: Asanka Rajaweera (IQSSL)
• Executive Board Members: Tharangha D Perera (IIESL), Mohamed Faizal (IIESL), Ranjith Pushpakumara Perera (IQSSL), Channa Kasthurirathna (IQSSL), Ravindra Subasinghe (PIMA), V Suresh Kumar (PIMA), Sujith Gnanathilake (SLQS), Priyadarshan Loganathan (SLQS), Nuwan Dhanjaya (QSUM), Milinda Perera (QSUM), Fathima Rinaz (SLHPA), Dhammika Herath (SLHPA), Thishan Gunasekara (SLITPA), Danusha Ranchigoda (SLITPA), Razmydeen M.I. (SLBA), Savanthie Fernando (SLBA), Asela Maduranga (SLPE) and Janakantha Senawirathna (SLPE).

The AGM featured key presentations including the Annual and Financial Reports, proposed constitutional amendments, and plans for future initiatives.

A notable highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SLPA-UAE and SriLankan Airlines, launching a mutually beneficial program aimed at supporting SLPA-UAE’s professional network while enhancing the strategic outreach of Sri Lanka’s national carrier.

The event concluded with a vibrant fellowship dinner celebrating unity and Sri Lankan heritage. With renewed leadership and vision, SLPA-UAE is set to further strengthen collaboration and professional advancement among Sri Lankan expatriates in the UAE.

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A fire that erupted aboard the vessel MV “MSC CAPETOWN III”, a container vessel berthed at Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Port of Colombo, has been doused, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said. 

According to the SLPA, swift and coordinated action by staff at the port successfully averted a potential disaster. 

The vessel, which is part of the East Africa Service or South Asia – East Africa Service (DAR ES SALAM SERVICE), was discharging 995 boxes and loading 880 boxes at the time of the incident.

The MSC CAPETOWN III, an 18-year-old container ship built in 2006, bearing IMO number 9311737 and sailing under the flag of Madeira, arrived at JCT from Singapore on Sunday (Aug 11), while carrying 596 through cargo containers (out-port containers). 

The incident occurred in the 41/43 hatch area, where a fire broke out in the vicinity of 100 under-deck containers and 60 on-deck containers. This fire eventually escalated into an explosion, the SLPA said in a statement. 

SLPA’s Director of Port Operations, H.J.K.U. Kumara, commented, ‘The vessel berthed at our terminal showed no prior signs of fire. However, during operations, our team identified the precise location from which the smoke was originating, leading to an explosion. Our firefighters, led by the Harbour Master and in collaboration with other port services, acted swiftly to extinguish the fire and safely removed the affected cargo”.

He further added, “Our timely and decisive actions prevented what could have been a catastrophic event. Investigations into the cause of the fire and the status of the cargo are ongoing.”

SLPA states it remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all vessels and cargo within its jurisdiction, and continues to monitor the situation closely as investigations proceed. (Newswire)

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