The Hambantota Port project may not get off ground as soon as expected, Ports Minister Rauf Hakeem warned today.
The Canadian firm SNC Lavelin offered to conduct the feasibility last year, and is due to submit the final report by September.
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rnBut their pre-feasibility work has so far failed to impress the authorities.rn
rnldblquote I must say with a sense of disappointment they have not given us the confidence that there will be a bankable feasibility report at the end of the process, dblquote Minister Hakeem said.rn
rnThe government has a tentative plan to initially develop Hambantota as an industrial port and accelerate Colombos status as specialist container hub.rn
rnColombos Jaye Container Termninal has seen a surge in transshipment cargo this year after losing ground in recent years to competition in the Middle East as well as the privately owned SAGT within Colombo Port.rn
rnUnder new management the Jaye Terminal has boosted efficiency levels and lured back mainlines that by-pass