According to the Navigation Division of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), approximately 35 luxury passenger cruise ships are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka next year. In order to accommodate the increased number of cruise ships, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has directed the conversion of the Bandaranaike quay at the Colombo port into a passenger terminal and the relocation of the warehouses to another location. This development will enable the Colombo port to provide the necessary facilities for the operations and comfort of tourists, even if three large ships measuring 350 meters in length arrive simultaneously. SLPA has already initiated a program to immediately provide the required facilities for tourists in and around the existing passenger terminal, including the establishment of restaurants and merchandise shops, until the development work on the Bandaranaike dock is completed. Minister de Silva recently conducted an observation tour to assess the current situation of the existing passenger terminal and Bandaranaike quay. He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing facilities for the operations of the incoming ships and the tourists they bring, particularly during the upcoming tourism season. Minister de Silva instructed SLPA officials to secure the necessary funds for the development work from the authority itself and to also seek support from potential investors.
