Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the Colombo Port, a national asset that generates significant foreign exchange earnings for Sri Lanka, plays a vital role in the country’s economy through its competitiveness, operational efficiency, and long-term revenue-generating capacity. However, he said that delays in the development of the Eastern Terminal, delays in procuring equipment required for operations, and issues related to management decisions and employee welfare within the Sri Lanka Ports Authority have created a serious situation in the port sector.
He questioned whether the Government, the relevant Ministry, or the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has taken any policy or administrative decision to privatize, lease, or otherwise transfer the Eastern Terminal to the private sector. Referring to reports that a group of World Bank representatives had met the subject minister and discussed private sector participation under a new financial model related to the port, Premadasa said there is a need to clarify whether there is an attempt to privatize the terminal and whether the proposed model involves public-private participation or full private sector involvement.
The Opposition Leader made these remarks in Parliament today while raising a question under Standing Order 27(2).
Premadasa further stated that if there is a proposal to transfer such a high-income-generating national asset to the private sector, a formal economic and financial impact assessment should be presented outlining the potential effects on national revenue and the broader economy. He also stressed that if there have been delays in procuring essential equipment required for the Eastern Terminal’s operations, the reasons for those delays should be disclosed together with an assessment of their impact on container-handling capacity and port revenue.
Political Appointments to Senior Positions in the Ports Authority
The Opposition Leader also called for details regarding the qualifications, experience, and selection criteria used in appointments to senior management positions within the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, particularly those that are not political appointments. He noted reports indicating that an officer with lesser qualifications and experience had been appointed despite the availability of more senior and experienced officers.
Premadasa further stated that the criteria used in making such appointments should be tabled before Parliament. He pointed out that an individual had been appointed to a Managing Director position despite the existence of 19 other senior officers within the institution.
Concerns Over Employee Rights and Welfare
The Opposition Leader also questioned whether there had been recent reductions in welfare benefits and provisions granted to retired employees of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority. If such reductions have occurred, he requested that the reasons be provided, along with details of the number of employees affected and the circumstances that led to the decision.
He further recalled that the JVP, while in opposition, had pledged to safeguard the rights of Ports Authority employees and protect national assets. In that context, he called for assurances that the Eastern Terminal would continue to remain under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and that employee rights and benefits would not be curtailed.
