The deal was made on the strong "reputation it has built as a result of the port efficiency enhancement programmes being carried out in South Africa," the group told shareholders in the annual report.
Last year the firm said it had won a "ship planning and mentoring" project covering the portsof Durban, Cape Town and Ngqura in South Africa in addition to port efficiency enhancement activities.
Aitken Spence with China Merchant Holdings, has won a concession to build a container terminal in Colombo port. The firm will have a 30 percent stake in the terminal company.
China Merchant Holdings, a state-run firm will have 55 percent, and Sri Lanka Ports Authority will have 15 percent.
"This landmark investment will be the single largest foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka’s history," the firm told shareholders.
"Once in operation the terminal will be the only container terminal in the region that can accommodate ultra large container carriers."
The terminal is expected to