Lanka Marine Services Ltd (LMSL), which has been asked to vacate the tank farm premises in a Supreme Court judgment condemning the LMSL privatisation, has promised to hand over the facility on September 10, a government official said.

LMSL and its parent, John Keells Holdings (JKH) had earlier sought and won an extension from the Supreme Court for more time to move out of the premises as there was insufficient time to do so. It was earlier to vacate the premises in mid-August, in line with the court judgment.

Saliya Wickramasuriya, outgoing chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), said LMSL has expressed their intent to vacate by September 10. “They asked for an extension of two months but was given 20 more days (by the Supreme Court) to vacate,” he told The Sunday Times FT.

He said the SLPA team is currently on the tank farm premises taking stock of the situation on buildings, stocks, etc. ‘As of now we don’t think there is a need (from our side) for a further extension of the September 10 date,” he said. The LMSL petition seeking more time from the Supreme Court will be taken up on September 8.