SLPA dredger operations resume after Minister intervenes

• Dredging and sludge removal operations had ceased due to shortage of operators

With the intervention of Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva the two dredgers at the Port of Colombo ‘Diyakowulla’ and ‘Hansakawa’ have resumed operations, a statement from the ministry said.

“It was reported to the Minister that the two dredgers belonged to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and deployed at dredging operations of the Port of Colombo had ceased dredging and sludge removal operations of the port due to a shortage of trained operators. The Minister visited the two dredgers anchored at the Bandaranaike Quay and also made a special tour on board ‘Hansakawa’ to inspect ongoing development work on the port waters.

At this visit, the Minister’s stern attention was drawn to the fact that the two vessels were stopped due to the shortage of trained operators. 

The officials and the employees pointed out that ceasing operations of dredging and sludge removal inside the port of Colombo at a time a massive development of the port is being carried out also hindered the calling of larger vessels at the port. After discussions on the matter, the Minister instructed to cover work through relevant temporary training of 08 existing port employees as an immediate measure to resume operations of the two vessels. 

The Secretary to the Ministry of Port, Shipping and Aviation, Mr K.D.S. Ruwanchandra and several higher officials of the SLPA also attended the visit,” the statement said. 

• The Minister instructed to cover work through relevant temporary training of 08 existing port employees as an immediate measure to resume operations of the two vessels