Business
Discussions underway with India and Japan on ECT development -SLPA chairman
The East Container Terminal ( ECT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) inaugurated its container operations on 27, 2020 with the arrival of the first container carrier ship MSC Emma.
by Sanath Nanayakkare
General (Retd) Daya Ratnayake, chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday refuted recent news reports in foreign and local media which claimed that Indian conglomerate Adani Group was all set to develop Sri Lanka’s thwarted East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Port of Colombo.
“It’s all speculation without any concrete basis” Gen. Ratnayake said in response to a question by The Island Financilal Review whether the news story being circulated that the present government is going to toe the former government’s line in relation to developing the ECT, with Indian and Japanese collaboration is true. “Sri Lanka Ports Authority recently started operations in certain parts of the East Container Terminal which has been already constructed, using existing gantry cranes, after receiving the government’s approval to do so. We needed to do it to enhance our container operations. As a hub of the Indian Ocean, the capacity development of the Port of Colombo is of great importance,” SLPA chairman said.
When asked whether the deal signed by the former government with India and Japan to develop the ECT still remains valid, he said, “After the change of government, negotiations began to be re-looked at in a more comprehensive manner and the government of Sri Lanka is in discussions with the governments of Japan and India on how to operationalise the terminal. These negotiations are still taking place on state-level,” he said.
Asked whether India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. along with a local partner have received consent to sign a deal with SLPA which gives SLPA the right to hold a majority stake in the project, he said, “Nothing is concrete in this regard yet. The three governments will work out details based on the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)”.
Sri Lanka, India and Japan signed the MoC for the development of the East Container Terminal in the Port of Colombo on May 28, 2019. According to the MoC, SLPA will retain 51% stake of the venture while the rest is to be shared between India and Japan.
In August 2020, with the parliamentary election right around the corner, workers at the Port of Colombo stopped work for two days in protest against the privatisation of the Eastern Container Terminal, due to which revenue of the Port was reportedly dented by Rs. 10 billion.
The strike was called off after trade unions had discussions with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Business World International Conference and Awards Ceremony organised by Business World International Organisation INC-USA, the event which is recognized as one of the most prestigious Business Award Festivals in the Asia Pacific Region, was held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo with the participation of several business personalities and celebrities of Sri Lanka. The Joint Chief Guests were Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali (Ambassador of Nepal to Sri Lanka) and Prof. Dr. Dietmar Doering (Founder / Chairman – AGSEP Research and Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA). Guests of Honour were Tham Whye Long (First Secretary/Head of Chancery – High Commission of Malaysia in Sri Lanka), Prof. Dr. Rohan De Silva (President – Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries), (Retd) Major General R. A. J. N. Ranasingha (RSP USP NDC MSC – Sri Lanka Army), Dr. Rohan Pallewatta (Excutive Chairman of the Start-Up High Tech Company – Lanka Harness, a BOI approved company operating in the Free Trade Zone at Biyagama in Sri Lanka), Dr. Kishu Gomes (Chairman – Exterminators PLC, Group Managing Director / CEO – Dreamron Group of Companies & Advisory Committee Member – Sri Lanka Tourism), Dian Gomes (Nonorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka, Chairman – Colombo School of Business Management & Independent Non-Executive Director – Nestle Lanka Ltd).
Special Guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Prof. Dr. Nissanka Weerappulige (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Prof. Dr. Dame Anoma Weeraratne Wijenayake (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Gerd Heinzerling (Advisory Board Member of Business World International Organization – USA), Priyantha Padmasiri (President – Sri Lanka Canada Business Council), M. H. K. M. Hameez (Vice President – Sri Lanka Canada Business Council & Immediate Past President – Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council). The invitees were graciously welcomed by Dr. Anthony Dexter Fernando (Chairman – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter), Dr. Tharindu Wijenayake (Deputy Chairman – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter) and Dr. Emerita Wijenayake (Project Chairperson & Director – Business World International Organisation USA – International Chapter).
Sampath Bank recently formalised a strategic partnership with the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at its Head Office. This partnership highlights Sampath Bank’s ongoing commitment to promoting innovation, driving business growth, and empowering Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through this collaboration, Sampath Bank will serve as the official banking partner for the COYLE Awards and the Young Lankan Program, two flagship initiatives that recognise business excellence and nurture emerging leaders. Supporting these initiatives allows the Bank to create a strong pipeline for SME engagement, provide access to tailored financial solutions, and build meaningful relationships with the country’s leading entrepreneurs.
ANC, a leading Lankan higher education provider, partnered with Northwood University to host the 2025 NUCARS simulation in Sri Lanka for the first time. Held from April 7–11, the event brought together students from the U.S., Europe, and Sri Lanka for an immersive, hands-on learning experience in automotive retail strategy. Twenty-two ANC students participated, showcasing their ability to compete globally. Celebrating its 28th anniversary, NUCARS emphasized teamwork, cross-cultural collaboration, and real-world business decision-making—highlighting ANC’s commitment to delivering globally recognized education and empowering students with essential skills for the international marketplace, said a release.
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