rn
rnThe VRS is in line with plans to enhance the services of the Colombo port to be more competitive with regional services. rn
rnThe Minister of Shipping and Port Development Rauf Hakeem told LBO that his ministry and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority were keen on transforming the Colombo port into a model port and the hub in the region. rn
rnMany previous offers have been made by aid agencies including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the Japanese government to implement the VRS and other improvement strategies. rn
rnHowever, proposals put forward by them are still at an initial stage of discussion and the offer has not been accepted as yet. rn
rnThe World Bank offered a similar aid package to increase efficiency four years ago but pulled out when a ministerial guarantee that recruitment would be halted was not forthcoming. rn
rnPolitical appointments ha