By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has focused on starting several revenue-generating programmes at the Hambantota Port.  
Following a discussion at the ministry, it was revealed that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owns 15% of the total shares of Hambantota Port, and the government has not received any dividend as no profit has been made from the Hambantota Port so far. 

 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent economic recession in Sri Lanka, Hambantota Port has not been able to increase its revenue and generate profits.  
During the meeting, the Hambantota Port Chief Executive Officer pointed out that several problems with the Central Bank (CB) and the Board of Investment (BoI) should be resolved for the implementation of a new development programme at Hambantota Port.  However, Minister Silva said that the Ministry will intervene to resolve these issues promptly.  
The main operational activity of Hambantota Port has been the re-export of imported vehicles, and the minister said that if the re-export of containers is started in the future, the port will be able to make a profit.  

Therefore, the minister instructed the Ports Authority officials to submit the proposals and future programmes to the Ministry through the board of directors, to make Hambantota a profitable port. He stated that he will take steps to obtain the approval of the Cabinet for the proposals if necessary.  

The Minister also said that an active programme should be prepared together with the SLPA and the Hambantota Port to attract more and more ships sailing in the Indian Ocean to Hambantota and Colombo ports.