According to Ports, Civil Aviation, and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka, no decisions have been made regarding the leasing or transfer of ownership of the Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port to private entities. Speaking in parliament, the minister addressed concerns surrounding the potential privatization of the facility owned by the state.
Karunathilaka emphasized, “There has been no policy or administrative decision to lease the Eastern Terminal of the Sri Lanka Port or to transfer it to the private sector.” He noted that while essential container-handling equipment, such as quay and yard cranes, has been received, the project has encountered challenges due to the country’s financial difficulties.
He explained that some cranes were not delivered due to delays in advance payments caused by the economic crisis in 2022, resulting in incomplete equipment acquisition. However, he assured that procurement for the remaining items is progressing.
The minister also indicated that bidding groups are being called for the fifth time to secure the delayed straddle carriers, which are vital for transporting cargo between the operational cranes and the storage yard. Currently, technical and financial evaluations for these bids are nearing completion. Additionally, a separate bidding process has been initiated for the acquisition of 15 more straddle carriers.
