The Cabinet also approved a proposal by Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga to call for expression of interests and issue Request for Proposals from interested parties to maintain operations of the multipurpose berth of the Phase 01 of the Hambantota port as a joint venture with a Ro-Ro vessel/terminal operator and to appoint a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee to make recommendations on a successful proposal, the potentiality of developing Hambantota as a reshipping centre if the management and operations of the port is planned to attract vehicle manufacturers and transporting agents.

Ships can easily reach East African countries and Western Australia directly from the Hambantota port which is situated between Singapore and Dubai which are two key vehicle reshipping centres close to Sri Lanka.