The government’s much-publicised plan to launch operations at the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port on 01 July — the first key development initiative promised by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake — will not be achievable, according to port unionists
The ongoing mismanagement and political interference by NPP appointees at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) have caused major setbacks, rendering the presidential commitment unachievable within the promised timeline, trade unions affiliated to the Opposition have alleged.
The SLPA’s Managing Director earlier informed the SLPA Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and key stakeholders in the maritime sector that ECT operations would commence by June 30. This led President Dissanayake to announce July 1 as the date of the launch. However, union leaders say it was a premature move.
“There is no way this terminal can be launched by July 1. Civil construction is still incomplete. No workers have been recruited. No officers or operational managers have been appointed. Even the key tender to procure straddle carriers — essential equipment for container handling — has been cancelled by the new management, and no new tender has been called,” said Sharmal Sumanaratne, General Secretary of the Ports, Commerce, Industries, and Progressive Workers’ Union.
Sumanaratne further warned that international shipping lines had already been informed of the launch date, but many were now closely monitoring the situation and were aware that the ECT was far from ready. “This uncertainty is harming the credibility of Sri Lanka’s shipping industry on the global stage,” he said.
Chairperson of the Jathika Sevaka Sangmaya’s Colombo Port Branch Thushari Priyanka said: “For a terminal of this scale, credibility is everything. Around USD 1 billion have already been spent, but without proper equipment and a functioning management structure; this project is becoming a financial and reputational liability.”
Priyanka added that the cancellation of the tender for 30 straddle carriers alone would delay the commencement of operations by at least 18 months. “Even if we call for tenders today, it takes over a year for the machines to be delivered, tested, and operational on the ground.”
President of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya Indika Samarawickrama said the terminal’s masterplan had also been arbitrarily changed by politically appointed managers loyal to the NPP. “Altering the original masterplan without a clear vision or technical expertise will result in more financial losses and future operational crises,” he warned.
President of the Eksath Sevaka Sangamaya Dickson Gomes raised concerns about human resources management within SLPA. “Arbitrary transfers and politically motivated appointments — especially by the current Managing Director, a known JVP/NPP affiliate — have led to chaos within the HR structure. Human capital is the most vital element of port efficiency, and it’s being dismantled.”
He said that under the current conditions and leadership, the ECT was unlikely to be fully operational as a semi-automated terminal for at least another 18 months — and possibly longer.
Attempts to contact SLPA Chairman, retired Admiral S. S. Ranasinghe, were not successful.
by Chaminda Silva
