COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2025 (ePRESS) – The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) marked its 46th anniversary on Friday with religious observances at the Chaithya Premises, while unveiling major developments aimed at transforming the country’s ports into a global logistics hub.
SLPA Chairman Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe said the organisation is undergoing a major transformation despite facing multiple challenges over the decades.
“In a bid to enhance its competitiveness on the global stage, SLPA is making significant progress in infrastructure and operations,” Admiral Ranasinghe said.
One of the key highlights is the completion of Phase II of the Colombo East Container Terminal (CECT) — a deep-draft, semi-automated terminal at the Port of Colombo (POC). The facility will be managed by Colombo East Container Terminal Company Ltd, a fully owned SLPA subsidiary.
Cutting-edge equipment is being added to match global standards. So far, 12 giant gantry cranes and 40 Automated Rail-Mounted Gantries (ARMGs) have been imported. The process to procure additional straddle carriers is also nearing completion.
The new terminal has already attracted interest from top international shipping lines. Global giants such as MSC, EVERGREEN, CMA CGM and MAERSK have started calling their vessels at the CECT.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the Colombo West International Container Terminal (CWICT) — a Public-Private Partnership project — has been completed and is operational. The full terminal, which will include a 1,400-metre quay wall, is scheduled to be completed by February 2026.
Once fully operational, the CWICT will add up to 3 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually to the Port of Colombo’s overall capacity, making it a key player in the region’s shipping industry.
Chairman Ranasinghe also noted that the SLPA is taking major steps to digitize all port operations to improve transparency and efficiency. Under the International Port Standardization Program, plans are underway to switch from fossil fuels to electric-powered systems.
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports & Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, and Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku attended the anniversary event as special guests.
The Port of Colombo, already ranked among the top ports in South Asia, is now steering firmly toward a high-tech, eco-friendly future.
