Sri Lanka is located in the centre of the former Maritime Silk Route which operated from around 250 BC connecting ancient Alexandria with China. Its geographic location is crucial to the building of trade and cultural ties between East and West. The importance of Sri Lanka in trade relations of the ancient world can be found in early inscriptions and other resources both from the East and the West.

Even now, Sri Lanka has immense potential for economic development as this same maritime route is used even today for trade connecting the Europe and the Middle East to China and the rest of Asia. No other country in the world has the advantage that Sri Lanka has in being an island of such a strategic geographic location. Thus, it is vital that Sri Lanka’s ports meet the standards needed to provide an efficient service for ships coming from all corners of the world. Building and reconstructing ports in Sri Lanka is an essential development task with an immense positive impact on the national economy.

The government has recognized this importance of the strategic location of Sri Lanka and the necessity to develop harbours around the island to boost the country’s economy. New projects have commenced to build new harbours and enhance the capacities of existing harbours in the entire island so that all Sri Lankans will benefit equally from development activities that have commenced with the victory over terrorism. Following is an update of the development of the Colombo, Hambantota and Galle ports.

Port of Colombo

The Port of Colombo being the premier Port in the country has been the focal point of important Port development activities in Sri Lanka since the formation of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). With the Government policy to develop the regional areas in the country, at present there is emphasis on the development of Ports of Galle, Trincomalee, Kankasanthurai and Point Pedro as well with a new Port in Hambantota.

The proposed Colombo South Harbour will be located west of the present South-WestBreakwater in an area of approximately 600 hectares. It will have four container terminals in the long term with each terminal 1200m long to accommodate 3 berths.

The development of the phase I of the Colombo South Harbour has two components. One is the infrastructure (breakwaters and dredging) with public sector funds and the other is the first terminal construction with facilities.

The construction of the breakwater by placing of core material and outer protection layers of first 1000m length of the Breakwater has been completed.

The rock transportation by sea from Load Out Point (small harbour) located at Wadduwa, Kalutara is fully operational. 15 to 20 barges of different types of rock arrive in Colombo per week.

The dredging of the main channel for the use of dredged sand in the core of the Breakwater and in the filling of the contractor’s working area is in progress. Up to date more than 10 million cubic metres have been completed.

The submarine crude oil pipeline runs across the port entrance at shallow depth. The first shipment of steel pipes consisting 90% of the total requirement has been brought to the site to complete the laying in December 2009. The new pipeline will be operational in March 2010.

SLPA initiated actions for the extension of JCT IV berth at Jaya Container Terminal to enhance the capacity of the Port of Colombo to accommodate the Mega Container carriers now in operation. With the implementation of this projects it is possible to berth two 8000 TEU Container ships simultaneously at JCT III and JCT IV.

New Terminal Management System (TOS) has commenced to replace the current JCT Computer System which is obsolete.

Port of Hambantota

A Port in Hambantota is being built with the recognition of integrating port development with regional development. As the Port of Colombo is reaching its maximum capacity for all types of cargo, another suitable and efficient port with all facilities is needed to cater to the increasing demand of maritime transportation and customer services.

This biggest service and industrial port in the country is being constructed closest to the international maritime route. Hambantota is the nearest point to the main shipping route that connects East and West. The area is also considered a better geographical location with fair weather conditions and closer to deep contours for constructions.

Hambantota has a low density of population and has been considered as a less developed area for a long time. The availability of extensive land areas have enabled to construct Hambantota Port Project as an internal port which is cost effective rather than the off shore constructions. Due to the natural depth along the coast line, there is no need for a lengthier approach channel. The land in the area also stands suitable for a number of port related industries and services.

Hambantota Port Development Project will be constructed to handle 100000DWT vessels. It will have an approach channel 210 metres wide. The port will also have a Service Vessel Berth of 105 metres, an Oil Terminal Berth of 310 metres and a Quay Wall (General Cargo) of 600 metres.

The Hambantota Port Tank Farm Project has also commenced. This bunkering facility will comprise 14 tanks. Eight tanks will provide oil for ships while three will be used to store LP gas. The rest will be used to provide oil for aircraft.

The Port of Hambantota is planned as a Service and Industrial Port and subsequently it could be developed as a transhipment port depending on increasing cargo volumes.

In view of urgency, a short term plan has been prepared for a service port as phase 1 of the project in order to cater to the immediate demands in accordance with the Master Plan.

China is funding the Hambantota Port Development Project and related activities at a cost of US$ 361 million. There was also an additional agreement to fund the new oil refinery costing US$1 billion.

As of November 2009, the construction of the coffer dam is 100% complete while 75 % of the service berth and 69% of the General Purpose Berth are completed. The construction of breakwater has been completed 71%.

The first phase of the construction of the Hambantota harbour is nearing completion by 2010, one year ahead of schedule. The project is expected to be completed in four phases in 15 years.

Galle Port

The Galle Port is the only Sri Lankan port that provides facilities for pleasure yachts. The International Yacht Society has recognized the Galle Port as one of the world's best. The increase in arrival of these yachts has revived the tourism industry of the country and Galle in particular.

The proposed Galle Port development in the first phase is to provide a fully fledged Yacht Marina for the Galle Port to attract yachters as the previous facilities for yachts were damaged during the Tsunami in 2004. The development of the Port of Galle as a tourist destination will act as a catalyst for the economic growth of the Southern Region of Sri Lanka. In the next phase, facilities will be extended to accommodate passenger cruise ships. The project is to be completed in two phases within three years.

Galle Port would be developed as a Regional Port aiming at a cost-effective transportation mode for the Southern Region. It is also expected that the Port of Galle will play a vital role as a driving force for the Southern area development to narrow regional disparity.