News

Colombo Port container volume surges to 1.54 Mn TEUs marking 16% year-on-year growth

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/2

Sri Lanka’s port container volume has reached 1.54 million TEUs, marking a 16% year-on-year increase from the 1.32 million TEUs recorded during the same period in 2023, Port News Russia reported on Sunday.

Despite regional ports often being portrayed as rivals, the industry’s cooperative nature is often overlooked. According to Port Technology, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and all terminal operators at the Port of Colombo support the expansion of neighbouring ports, recognising the collective potential to meet the market’s evolving demands.

The SLPA has emphasised that the current fluctuations in transshipment volumes should be viewed within the broader context of global demand and supply changes that impact ports worldwide. Seasonal variations, coupled with global economic and social dynamics, have led to a temporary dip in cargo handling, not only at the Port of Colombo but across many international ports.

The SLPA clarified that this is not a result of competition but rather a common and recurring aspect of the maritime industry.

In 2024, the Colombo Port has shown strong growth in container handling across its terminals, indicating a significant upward trend in operational performance. The SLPA reported a notable increase, handling 1.54 million TEUs, representing a 16% rise from the 1.32 million TEUs processed in the same period last year.

The South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT) also experienced growth, handling a total of 1.28 million TEUs in 2024, up from 1.16 million TEUs in 2023, reflecting a 10.4% increase.

Meanwhile, the Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) saw a relatively modest growth rate of 5.0%, processing 2.20 million TEUs this year, up from 2.09 million TEUs in 2023.

Overall, the Colombo Port grew by 9.6%, reaching 5.02 million TEUs in 2024, up from 4.58 million TEUs in the previous year.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

Latest News

Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

24 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491