A well organized and a stable shipping schedule increases the competitiveness among producers in the country. Attractive shipping services could attract more investors for investing, benefiting the country with better employment opportunities and also will enhance foreign earnings. The strengthening of the sector could contribute immensely to the national economy. Priority is given by the government to develop the port sector which is playing a very important role in the economic process and establishing a hub in the South Asian Region a Ports and Shipping Ministry official said.

The Ministry has taken necessary steps to build infrastructure facilities in the ports and also to implement new projects for the construction of new ports. Infrastructure facilities will be developed with the assistance of Asian Development Bank.

Construction work of two more 12 metre long berths will commence in the Galle Port to handle break bulk shipping cargoes in order to ease the shipping traffic in the Colombo port, the initial steps are already in progress. Construction work of the project will commence in the second quarter of 2008 and on its completion the operations in Galle port will be more effective.

The international shipping route close to the Hambantota Port will be an asset, in earning more foreign exchange by supplying fuel and water to the ships travelling past Sri Lanka on the eastern sea route. Plans are being made to build up an oil refinery, power station and dockyards for shipbuilding and repairing in order to make Hambantota a complete port with all shipping facilities. Facilities will be provided for port oriented industries such as fertilizer and cement packing industries.

Basic infrastructure facilities needed to build the Hambantota Port is already completed. Awareness raising programmes are conducted for the people living in the areas where land acquisition is necessary for the project. Purchasing of land is in progress in areas where people have consented to sell their land.