President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (15 Aug) inaugurated the historic 'Karadiyawara Mangallaya', the water filling of the Hambantota harbour basin.

This is the first time in history that a harbour basin, built inland, is filled with water through a breakwater. This completes the first phase of the Hambantota Port project allowing entry to international shipping.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message marking the occasion expressed confidence that the Port will contribute much to the national economy benefiting not only the Southern people but also the entire country including the North and East.

The Hambantota Port is the most significant of ports built in the country as a part of realizing the goals in Mahinda Chintana, to make Sri Lanka a centre of marine, aviation, commerce, energy and knowledge. It is also a part of the massive development projects currently underway in Hambantota such as the establishment of the Hambantota Airport, the International Cricket Stadium, the International Assembly Hall and the extension of the railway from Hambantota to Kataragama.

Visitors were allowed to the port premises from4am today without hindrance. Hundreds of people flocked to the location to have a glimpse of the water filling.

People were allowed to wade in the water when a small quantity of water was allowed into the harbour basin. This is an opportunity afforded once in a lifetime. Gradually, the basin will be filled to the required water level.

The Port of Hambantota, once completed, will provide a gamut of services to function as an international naval centre.