Govt defends moves to get Indian and Japanese investment for West Terminal at Port

The government today defended a proposal to develop the West Terminal of the Colombo Port as a public-private partnership with Japan and India.

Minister Udaya Gammanpila told the post cabinet press conference that the manifesto of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa itself mentioned that private sector investment will be obtained to develop the West Terminal.

The comments came less than 12 hours after the Cabinet approved a proposal from the Minister of Ports and Shipping that an investment proposal by Japan and India to develop the West Terminal should be considered while the East Container Terminal should remain with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Some of the trade unions have already started expressing concerns over handing over of the West Terminal to foreign countries. However, they have said they will await the details of the proposals which are being worked out.

Cabinet has approved taking necessary steps to develop the West Container Terminal of the Colombo Port on the basis of operating and developing as a public-private partnership and return it within 35 years together with the Government of India and the Government of Japan nominated parties and SLPA.