The construction of the fifth phase of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) commenced yesterday (01), adding a new chapter to the history of Sri Lanka’s ports and shipping industry.

The event was held under the patronage of Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development Jayantha Samaraweera and and SLPA Chairman Major General (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake.

Development of Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) commenced in March 1983 and the first phase of the terminal was opened in 1985, the second phase in 1987, the third phase in 1995 and the fourth phase in 1996.

Commenting on the occasion, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Ports and Shipping , said that the Jaya Container Terminal’s (JCT) Phase 05 was a project initiated by the previous government and  also stated that it was his responsibility to act and implement  as the Minister-in-charge despite criticizing such work.

“Although the construction of phase 5 of the terminal was supposed to be completed  first, the previous government had stopped the constructions by giving priority to the import of Gantry  cranes. However, the construction of the phase 5 of  the terminal has commenced today due to the arrival of the imported cranes,” he said.

He added that despite the protests over the construction of the breakwater for the Colombo South Port and the construction of the Colombo International Terminal (CICT),  none of those new projects would have been launched at present,  if the breakwater had not been constructed. “Also, the Port of Colombo will be a more efficient port in the future with complete  construction and commissioning of the East Container  Terminal (ECT) as well as the West Container  Terminal(WCT). These  will lead Sri Lanka  becoming the maritime hub of Asia,” the Minister said.

The  Minister further stated that he had  the responsibility as the Minister-in-charge, to attract foreign exchange into the country by developing the Port of Colombo as an economic hub taking timely decisions, realizing the “Vision of Vistas of  Prosperity and Splendour” of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development Jayantha Samaraweera  said that the era of loss caused by the loss of Port of Hambantota had ended and a new era of port development had begun with the implementation of phase 5 of JCT.

Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)  –  General Daya Ratnayake said that the golden era of the ports and shipping industry in Sri Lanka existed from 2005 to 2015 would re-commence with the implementation of  construction of phase  5 of the SLPA’s Jaya Container Terminal (JCT).

Phase 05 of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), which commenced on 01December 2020, is scheduled to be completed by July 2022. The total value of this project is US $ 32 million. The consultancy for the project is to be provided by the Contract and Planning Engineering Division of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The construction company for the project is China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC).

The construction of Phase 05 of the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT)  will  add  a number of advantages to operations of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the Port of Colombo.

The length of the phase 5 of the terminal will avoid obstacles at the edge JCT phase 4 when providing anchorage facilities for ships currently with 366 meters in length. Accordingly, the additional length of 120 meters that would be added by the construction of phase 5 of the terminal will result in an efficient and effective operation of vessels at the JCT. With the completion of constructions, a new yard area of ​​40,000 square meters, in other words about 04 hectares will also be added to the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT).

Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping – Mr.U.D.C. Jayalal, Secretary to the State Ministry of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development  – Mr. Dhammika Matararachchi, Vice  Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) – Dr. Prasantha Jayamanne, Managing Director SLPA – Mr. H.D.A.S. Premachandra, a number of Directors, and Heads of Divisions, Higher Officials of China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd;  and senior officials of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)  were also present at the occasion.

Photo Caption: Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Ports and Shipping signals the commencement of construction of Phase 05 of the JCT. Hon. – Jayantha Samaraweera, State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development and Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping – Mr.U.D.C. Jayalal, SLPA’s Chairman – General Daya Ratnayake, Managing Director Mr. H. D.A.S. Premachandra are also in the picture.