Unions urge to expedite development of ECT at Colombo Port

COLOMBO (News 1st): Unions have stepped up calls to expedite the development of the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port, amidst speculation it is to be sold to a foreign entity. Three gantry cranes had been procured on June 20 for the development of the terminal, but they are yet to be set-up on the construction site at the port, drawing criticism from port unions. "Directorial approval was granted to install these gantry cranes, but ... we received information that this was stopped by an invisible hand," Shamal Sumanaratne, the secretary of the Ports, Commerce Industries and Progressive Workers Union said. "The future of this country is much important than transactions with multinational corporations, international issues or diplomatic ties". Unions point out that the development of the terminal would generate revenue to the country. "If the three gantry cranes are installed and operations resume an income of over 14 million a day can be earned," Prasanna Kalutarage, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Independent Workers Union said. He said that the security division at the Colombo Port has been clearly instructed against unloading the cranes from the vessel on which it had been shipped to the country.