Sri Lanka to welcome 35 luxury passenger cruise ships next year

20 December 2023 12:08 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva inspecting the Bandaranaike quay at the Colombo port

Around 35 passenger cruise vessels expected to dock at Colombo port in 2024

Sri Lanka will see the arrival of around 35 luxury passenger cruise ships next year, according to the Navigation Division of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

To facilitate the increased number of cruise ships, the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has instructed to convert the Bandaranaike quay at the Colombo port to a passenger terminal and to relocate the warehouses at the location elsewhere.

With this development, even if three large ships 350 metres in length arrive at the same time, the Colombo port will be able to provide the necessary facilities for those operations and tourists.

SLPA has started an immediate programme to provide the necessary facilities to tourists in and near the existing passenger terminal, to run restaurants and merchandise shops, until the development work of the Bandaranaike dock is done.

Minister de Silva went on an observation tour yesterday to find out about the current situation of the existing passenger terminal and Bandaranaike quay.

“A large number of ships are to arrive at the port of Colombo during the upcoming tourism season, and the Sri Lankan government is committed to providing facilities for the operations of those ships and the tourists coming from them,” Minister de Silva said.

“Therefore, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority should take measures to provide those facilities by utilising the existing space as much as possible,” he added.

He instructed officials to secure the necessary funds for the development work from the SLPA and also to seek investor support.

Comments - 6

U.Ranjith Wednesday, 20 December 2023 09:14 AM

This is a good suggestion. Also we have to modernize the Fort railway station or construct a new one like in japan. A foreigner arrive at a modern airport with all the facilities reach a most primitive railway station to take a train. I think it is better to demolish the fort station and construct a modern one. The government can get help from Japan in construction and funding. Please forward this idea to Fort and Shipping minister. Tks.

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Lalithanathan Wednesday, 20 December 2023 04:44 PM

Old is gold.. Don't demolish but modernise keeping old flavor... Many tourist want to see old architecture... Neighbor india maintain railways station built by British 150 years ago and these are considered heritage... Same with Pakistan and burma....

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NV Jen Wednesday, 20 December 2023 01:47 PM

Good and a welcome decision. Also need to have clean and paid public toilets at crucial tourist spots. The condition of most of the washrooms even in some malls is horrible. Mainly the public are to be blamed in this regard.

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Sandeera Wednesday, 20 December 2023 03:31 PM

@U.Ranjith it is a terrible idea to demolish the Colombo fort. I hope no one hears your idea. Colombo Fort is an architectural monument of interest to tourists, just like other stations built in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. The stations just need to be put in order without disturbing their historical appearance.

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Former SLPA Downunder Wednesday, 20 December 2023 04:41 PM

Minister my advice as a retired maritime professional worked in the port. Do not come up with plans on the run but listen to honest professionals. SLPA office in front of York street is the original passenger terminal coming from over a century ago. Move offices housed in that building to elsewhere and refurbish the original passenger terminal to its old glory without building a new terminal at a huge cost. It will be a double winner if done that in terms of savings and bringing the glory days back, will be a money spinner. Also those warehouses at BQ are yet can be put to good use. What’s needed is more attention and clean up. Remember passenger ships are seasonal too mostly January to April. It’s important to save money too during these tough times. All bids to develop has to be transparent and open to all investors to be fair and for the better business outcome for the country! Over to you minister.

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Amaran Thursday, 21 December 2023 12:36 PM

As President pointed out, COLOMBO CITY should become more vibrant to tourists. Ensure, eateries are CLEAN. To achieve this, make sudden visit. Ministers have to think out of the box now. Old style of working will not produce the desired results.

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