Five out of seven foreign investors have fulfilled the terms of the expression of interest (EOI) given by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation to invest in the Galle Port Development Project.
This is to develop infrastructure facilities related to the Galle Port Development Project and leisure – related infrastructure facilities, said Harbour Master, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Capt. Nirmal Silva at a media conference at the Export Development Board.
It will be on a Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer basis to construct the breakwater, wharf, revetment, seawall, channel dredging and reclamation of land, associated marine structures and subsequent mixed development.
He said as of now they have decided to extend the EOI by a further week.
Responding to a Sunday Observer Business query that proposals of this nature were called many times in the past 15 years, he said though it was so earlier, this time around it will get off the ground as scheduled. “It is true that investors signed documents but the project never got off the ground,” Capt. Silva said.
“There were unsolicited proposals as well earlier but this time it will be done in a transparent and professional manner” he said.
When asked as to how Galle could be developed as a tourism hub with restrictions put in place by UNESCO as it’s designated as a world heritage city, he said clearance has now been obtained in this regard.
“However, at present no cement unloading operations are undertaken at the Port.”
Commenting on the Trincomalee Port, he said it will focus mostly on green hydrogen operations which is the future money-generating initiative for the shipping industry.
Trincomalee harbour is ranked as the fifth best natural harbour in the world and has an estimated investment potential. We are looking to capitalise on this and are looking for investors in this regard, he said.
“At present only Prema, Tokyo cement and Lanka IOC has major operations here and certainly there is room for large investments of this nature in the future”, Capt. Silva said.
He said the KKS harbour is also being developed and it is mainly for passenger operations.
Capt. Silva said that a feasibility study has been completed on a new harbour project in the north of the Trincomalee harbour which will be carried out in two stages. “We will be calling for requests for proposals for this soon and it will commence on a 20:30 ratio and will be carried out as a private public partnership.”
