A meeting was held today between a delegation led by the World Bank Group Country Manager Gevogar Sagarsayan and the Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilake, it is reported.
A statement issued by the ministry states that during this discussion, new financial models and private sector participation were mainly discussed regarding the Colombo Port.
During the discussion, the World Bank Country Manager sought the government’s opinion on the development of the Colombo Port and it was also stated that the World Bank Group and the Asian Development Bank are conducting a special study on the development of the infrastructure facilities of the Colombo Port.
The Minister has also pointed out that the government is currently further considering the funding proposal and financial models submitted by the World Bank Group, and the need to involve the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury for this.
It was also stated that attention has been focused on developing the Eastern Container Terminal as a separate entity, and the Attorney General’s advice has been sought in this regard.
It was also stated in the statement issued by the ministry that when making such a change, it was also stated that a model with greater independence and commercial flexibility than a traditional state enterprise was required, with the agreement of the trade union parties.