SLSC hands over two king coconut plants for planting to mark the visit (from left) AGM HR, Local Affairs and CSR Buddhika Sandaruwan, Chairman Sean Van Dort, Senior General Manager HR and Admin Jeevan Premasara, Vice Chairman Tyronne Weckasinghe and DGM Commercial and Marketing Bindu Ranasinghe

The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC), led by its executive committee, conducted a comprehensive visit to the Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently, emphasising its critical role in Sri Lanka’s future economic development. 

“Comparing 2017 to now, we see drastic positive changes that have taken place and we have no hesitation in recommending this beautiful facility that only has the potential to grow and be a diamond in the crown of Sri Lanka,” SLSC Chairman Sean van Dort, who headed the 42-member delegation said.

The visit centred around inspecting the HIP’s current facilities and discussions on future plans, with the port’s management team, who briefed the council on upcoming developments and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. During the discussions, the council delegates inquired about additional shipping lines calling at the HIP and the prospect of establishing a feeder service from Hambantota to Colombo. The HIP officials indicated that while negotiations are ongoing with the shipping lines, the current trade volumes have not yet warranted a dedicated feeder service.

On their 2016 visit to the HIP, to mark the new SLSC’s 50th anniversary, they had planted 50 king coconut and cashew plants at the port. This time too, the council members planted king coconut trees to commemorate their visit and support the HIP’s green initiatives.

The visiting members of the SLSC represented some of the most esteemed institutions in Sri Lanka. A key point they raised at the discussion was the need for improved connectivity, suggesting a rail line between Hambantota and Colombo to ease transportation costs and congestion, particularly when the Colombo Port is at full capacity. HIP Deputy General Manager Bindu Ranasinghe while acknowledging the importance of the request, clarified that rail infrastructure was outside the HIP’s current scope. However, he informed the council that the port was actively engaged in exploring cost-effective transport alternatives to benefit the country’s shippers and consignees.