The Shipping Minister Mangala Samaraweera told Lanka Business Online on Thursday that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the port master plan, that details development areas and priority infrastructure requirements to meet growing and potential demand.
In addition, Samaraweera says Cabinet ratification was needed to tap donor agencies for funds for the Government components in the plan.
The master plan drawn up with US$ 150,000 from the ADB, looks to put in enough capacity in the sector to cater to growing demands and future trends and also analyses competing transport modes like highways.
The plan will now help policy makes allocate resources and prioritise development plans while also identify areas for infrastructure investment in the sector.
A key priority in the plan is developing Colombo’s South Harbour. Already, a business plan and competition regulatory model has been finalised.
Project officials and policy makers are due to meet the fist week of September to ident