News
Hambantota Port achieves 22% growth in 2024, targets expansion in 2025
The Hambantota International Port (HIP) achieved a growth rate of 22 percent in 2024, matching its performance from the previous year, HIP Group (HIPG) said on Thursday.
To achieve higher numbers in 2025, the Port is implementing upgrades to its infrastructure, including the introduction of gantry and yard cranes in the container yard, HIPG said in a press release.
These enhancements are part of the HIP’s strategy to meet the growing demands of the shipping and logistics markets while positioning itself as a key player in the Indian Ocean region, the HIPG said.
In the first half of 2024, the bulk and break-bulk cargo sectors saw volumes rising by 134 percent compared to the same period in 2023, increasing from 236,012 metric tons to 552,297 metric tons, the HIPG said.
Gas operations at the Port also increased, with LPG volumes increasing by 46 percent in the first half of 2024, climbing from 127,232 metric tons to 185,214 metric tons, the HIPG said.
In 2024, the HIP launched its inaugural container transshipment service in April, operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the HIPG said.
The port has a five-pillar growth strategy — integrated logistics, marine services, port services, energy hub, and port-related industries, according to the HIPG.
Latest News
Payment of Compensation to the people who have lost their cultivable lands in implementing the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project
Approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 27-06-2012 to provide cultivable agricultural lands from the lower Uma Oya valley to 276 farming families in Hali-Ela, Walimada, and Uva Paranagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions who have lost their cultivable lands due to the acquisition of lands for the
Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.
However, the aforementioned proposal could not be implemented due to the encroachment of a large portion of the identified lands by unauthorized persons, heavy forest cover, the threats posed by wild elephants, remoteness from their original settlements, and difficulties in adapting to other environmental conditions and social anomalies.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation to pay an estimated compensation of Rs. 12 lakhs for each of these 276 farming families, based on the
recommendations submitted by the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to provide solutions for the issues arising in the implementation of the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.
Policy approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 07.04.2025 to prepare a draft bill to establish the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka in order to accomplish the requirement of a training institution to carry out studies in order to create chartered media professionals and mould intelligent media personalities with skills in order to enhance the quality and standard of the media society.
Clearance of the Attorney General has been received for the final draft prepared by the Legal Draftsman for the purpose.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to publish the draft bill of Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka in the Government Gazette Notification and thereafter submit the same for the concurrence of the House.
The Telecommunication Levy Act No. 21 of 2011 has enabled provisions to impose telecommunication levy. The budget 2026 has proposed to introduce amendments for the act including changes imposed from time to time regarding the telecommunication levy.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated a draft bill for
amending the Telecommunication Levy Act No. 21 of 2011 including provisions to extend applicable to envisage all the tax amounts applicable from the year 2015 along with the telecommunication levy existing at present, applicable of taxes on unrecovered revenue (bad debts) and to extend the provisions of that act to cater the telecommunication suppliers.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the said draft bill in the Government Gazette Notification and subsequently to submit the same for the concurrence of the House.
Payment of Compensation to the people who have lost their cultivable lands in implementing the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project
Draft Bill of the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals of Sri Lanka to be Gazzated
Telecommunication Levy Act No. 21 of 2011 to be amended
Management of State Expenditure during the Energy Crisis
Vesak week from 27 May to 02 June
Free Tourist Visas for Passport Holders of 39 Countries
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News7 days agoSenior citizens above 70 years to receive March allowances on Thursday (26)
-
Features4 days agoA World Order in Crisis: War, Power, and Resistance
-
News5 days agoEnergy Minister indicted on corruption charges ahead of no-faith motion against him
-
News6 days agoUS dodges question on AKD’s claim SL denied permission for military aircraft to land
-
Business6 days agoDialog Unveils Dialog Play Mini with Netflix and Apple TV
-
News7 days agoCEB Engineers warn public to be prepared for power cuts after New Year
-
Sports5 days agoSLC to hold EGM in April
-
Latest News5 days agoA strong Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system equips individuals with practical, relevant, and future-oriented skills helping to innovate responsibly towards a greener and sustainable future – PM