Colombo Port remains crippled, containers held up

Work at the Colombo Port remained crippled for a second consecutive day over a workers' dispute regarding the Eastern Container Terminal.

Discussions were held between trade unions and Ports Authority Chairman last afternoon. However, these failed to resolve the issue.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman (retired Former Army commander) Daya Ratnayake told the Sunday Times that they had urged the trade unions to at least release the containers held up inside the port last evening. Another round of discussions was due to be held later in the day.

Mr Ratnayake said that the port normally cleared at least 10,000 containers per day. The union action had brought the process to a complete standstill.

He pointed out that the Ports Authority agreed on the demands of the unions, but would not change the stance they were taking. Mr Ratnayake explained that since the previous government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the operations of the terminal with India and Japan, the current government had to negotiate with them to find resolutions.

He added that such a process takes time, therefore, they needed more time to resolve the matter, as the Sri Lankan Government needed to discuss the issue with foreign governments.

Meanwhile, 23 Port trade unions demanded that the Eastern Container Terminal needed to be operated under Sri Lanka. They say that the terminal, which was constructed with public money, cannot be sold to foreign countries.

The move to halt operations of all terminals was taken on Friday evening as the government failed to respond to union action carried out three days ago.

Ports Progressive Union General Secretary Shyamal Sumanaratne said that they would continue the trade union action, as the meetings with the Ports Authority Chairman and Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG), Western Province, Deshabandu Tennakoon held yesterday afternoon ended without resolution.

He said that the Police and Ports Authority Chairman requested trade unionists to call off their action and allow Port operations to commence. “We declined to do that until the government ensures in writing that they would not sell the Eastern Container Terminal,” he said.

He added that they clear about 5,000 to 6,000 containers daily; therefore their action would add up to a Rs 120 million loss of revenue.

Meanwhile, container drivers stranded at the Port said that most of their consignments contained perishable goods, and that therefore they needed to distribute them.

They said that the containers were held up for two days as the Port unionists had blocked entrances. They said that even a vehicle cleared by Customs could not be driven out of the Port.