The port is part of a program of economic reconstruction by Sri Lanka’s government, following the three decade-long struggle against the Tamil Tigers.
Initially the port’s volumes will be from cement imports and transhipment, with plans for a gas terminal coming soon.
Although the port, with its 1km quay, is to be operated by the Sri Lanka Port Authority, it was constructed by the China Harbour Engineering Company for a reported cost of around $360m. Chinese influence is familiar in the country, as China Merchants Holdings International Co recently teamed up with Aitken Spence to build a $450m container terminal in Colombo port.
