Sri Lanka is seeking foreign investors and expert assistance to develop its ports and aviation sectors, Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said after a meeting with British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick on Tuesday.
The High Commissioner agreed to facilitate both UK state and private sector partnerships for airport and port development, including support for modern airport technology and airspace management systems, according to an Ada Derana report.
Minister Karunathilaka said several port terminals are already run under private sector partnerships, and that Hambantota Port operates under a separate model. The government, he said, is seeking private partners for the operation of additional new terminals in the future, and is ready to strengthen cooperation with European investors to achieve greater economic benefits.
Patrick described the Port of Colombo as “a location with world-class resources” and said its existing 15-year forward plan was “very attractive” to investors. He also said the commercial port could be further developed to support the tourism industry. On aviation, he welcomed the fact that airport development is proceeding to a long-term plan.
The meeting was one of Karunathilaka’s first major engagements with a foreign envoy since he took over the combined Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy portfolio on April 20 — a role reassigned from the outgoing Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, who resigned last week amid the coal procurement controversy.
