Measures taken to prevent novel coronavirus...
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has implemented a successful programme to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus from all ports, including the Port of Colombo.
This programme is implemented under the guidance and supervision of Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando and Ports Development State Minister Kanaka Herath with the leadership and initiative of SLPA Chairman General Daya Rathnayake and the supportive assistance of SLPA Managing Director Capt. Athula Hewavitahrana, Additional Managing Director Upali De Zoysa and Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal Silva.
SLPA Senior Security Manager K.G. Upali, SLPA higher officers, staff of the SLPA Medical Division and Medical Office and representatives of shipping lines and vessel operators also attended the launch of the programme.
The SLPA therefore responsibly claims that the Port of Colombo and all other ports under the purview of the SLPA are safe and that certain parties’ claims that there is no mechanism to quarantine the passenger ships and passengers arriving at the passenger terminal of the Port of Colombo are completely false.
De Zoysa at a special briefing said the SLPA has launched this special quarantine programme under the directions and supervision by the ports and shipping minister, state minister and secretary to the Ports and Shipping Ministry and SLPA chairman to coincide with the national programme on preventing the spread of novel coronavirus in Sri Lanka.
The programme is also launched with the support and coordination of Health Ministry Quarantine Director Dr. S.M. Arnold and Deputy Director Roshan Sampath.
At the Port of Colombo, the medical records of the passengers and crew of the vessels are obtained through the ships’ captains and checked to investigate if they are infected or suspected of being infected with the novel coronavirus. Doctors and staff of the SLPA Medical Division, its health office staff, South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) of the Port of Colombo, Port Police, Sri Lanka Navy, vessel agents’ associations, Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators and all other concerned institutions are engaged in a collaborative teamwork around the clock to facilitate the programme.
Accordingly, all necessary steps have been arranged to send any patient or suspected passenger or crew member to specified hospitals to facilitate screening and treatments. Arrangements have also been made to provide all services, including vehicle services to facilitate the programme.
“Sri Lanka’s ports are expected to grow fast to keep up with Sri Lanka’s reputation as a tourist destination. On the journey to becoming green and smart ports, all ports in Sri Lanka will also be developed as quarantine ports,” De Zoysa said.
Arnold said that the special quarantine programme at the Port of Colombo has been successful in parallel with the national programme to curb the spread of novel coronavirus in Sri Lanka.
The passengers of the cruise ship Sun Princess, who had sailed from Australia and via Thailand to the Port of Colombo, were inspected for any patients or persons with symptoms.
He also praised the Ports and Shipping Ministry and SLPA, its chairman and the management for their dedication and commitment on behalf of the Health Ministry for the immediate steps taken to control the coronavirus at the port.
“The assistance of all the directors of the SLPA and the top management of the SLPA are very important in the process as these quarantine measures are expected to be implemented successfully in all ports in Sri Lanka,” he said.