Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Denmark Contractors signe MOU for the construction of Oluvil Port

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18 Mar 2008

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the Denmark Contractors, Mt. Hojgaard signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of Oluvil Port Project . The signing took place between the Acting Chairman of SLPA  Priyath Bandu Wickrama and the Vice Chairman of Mt. Hojgard company  Ole Steenshristen at SLPA recentlyThe 46.1 Euro Million worth Oluvil Port construction project is due to be constructed within 27 months of its implementation.The South Eastern region of Sri Lanka comprising the districts of Ampara, Batticoloa and Monaragala is comparatively less developed compare to the other western regions due to lack of infrastructure facilities mainly the poor highway access and absence of railway link. The Government of Sri Lanka hence, in its plan to give impetus to economic development in this area, has decided to build the Oluvil port project.The proposed Oluvil Port Development Plan comprises the construction of a commercial port and a basin for fishing crafts.The main objective of the project is to develop a harbour with appropriate shore facilities to cater to general cargo vessels required to supply the current needs of the area, including coastal passenger transport, with provision for expansion into a bigger harbour in the future. The harbour would also cater to the requirements of the current and projected fishing activities and its shore - based services and industries.Constructing a port in the East coast would ease the overland traffic in transporting essential commodities, building materials, equiprnent etc., from Colombo to the East, and agricultural and fisheries products of the East to the city centers Another anticipated function of the harbour could be to meet the demand for much needed coastal passenger transport. The proposed harbour would enhance fish production particularly the Tuna and allied species, increase employment opportunities and earn foreign exchange.Therefore, the implementation of the Oluvil port project will be a dessesive factor to change the state of lack of employment opportunities in the region creating 1000 direct and indirect employment opportunities by 2010 and 10000 such opportunities by 2015.The Oluvil Port construction project consists of two phases. During the first phase of its development, two breakwaters of 475 meters and 740 meters, a reservoir of 16 Hectars, utilization of 10 Hectars of water area for commercial port activities and fisheries activities and a water area with a depth 2f 8 meters to enable handling of vessels of 5000 tons, will be constructed.Meanwhile, implementation for fisheries activities, supply of water and fuel to fisher vessels will also be done under the first phase. During the second phase of development, dredging of the reservoir up to a depth oil 1 meters enabling handling of vessels of 16000 tons and expanding of the vessel basin up to 24 Hectares are expected.Recently a service of seminars to bring awareness of the Oluvil Port Project specially among the school community and public had also been organized in Oluvil under guidance by Hon. Minister of Ports and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa.Managing Director of SLPAMr. W.G Samarathungam Director (Technical) Mr. R.P. Abeyakoon, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Port and Aviation Mr. Ranjith D Silva, The Project manager of the contract company Mr. Per Vinther Larsen also participated at the signing of MOU for the Oluvil Port Project,