14 December 2024 12:00 am Views - 16
By Ajith Siriwardana
It is important for Adani Group to commence its operations in the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) now that Adani Group has assured to use its own funds in the project despite the withdrawal of funding by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in the project, Ports Minister Bimal Ratnayake said.
The Minister said this while responding to a question during an inspection visit to the Colombo Port.
He said that an issue had arisen regarding funding, but the problem was between the Adani Group and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
He said the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) project of the Adani Group is important as it will make a contribution to the economy and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
The Minister said work on the East Container Terminal (ECT) operated by the SLPA will be completed by June 30, 2025, and added that container handling of the Colombo port will be doubled after completing the project.
He said the government is not expecting to privatise any other property of the Colombo port and that steps will be taken to increase the efficiency of the terminal sold to the private sector by the previous governments.
Commenting on the Port project, Minister Rathnayake said that an issue has arisen regarding funding, but the problem was between the Adani Group and the US institution that had agreed to finance the project.