Srilanka

Hambantota International Port, a Public Private Partnership project (PPP) between the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China Merchant Port Holdings is currently evaluating the options of handling containers.In addition, the bunker facility at the port will be operated by ChinaSinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co. Limited (SFO).&We&re all saying that the port of Colombo is congested but there is more room for efforts to be made for the three terminals to cooperate and that cooperation can definitely create more capacity until such time the East Container Terminal (ECT) comes on track. I firmly believe that cooperation between the three terminals is a must,& Tissa Wickramasinghe, Chief Operating Officer at the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) told the German-Sri Lankan Logistic Conference held in Colombo yesterday.

A passenger ferry service between Kankesanthurai and South India is expected soon to facilitate displaced returnees and pilgrims home, said Sirimevan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Western Development.Delivering the key note speech at the German-Sri Lankan Logistics Conference held in Colombo yesterday, he said, the government has embarked on a massive development project to develop ports across the country to achieve Sri Lankaambitious target of becoming a maritime hub in the region.

All government schools countrywide are scheduled to reopen on September 2, the Ministry of Education has stated in a circular.However, schools that are being used for the evaluation of the G.C.E. (A.L.) Examination answer scripts are to be reopened on September 16, the circular read.Accordingly, the Kurunegala St. AnneCollege, Colombo Royal College, Colombo Nalanda College, Colombo Hindu College, Kalutara Gnanodaya College, Ratnapura Mihindu College, Kandy Kingswood College, Kandy Seetha Devi College, Galle Vidyaloka College, the Vihara Maha Devi Balika Maha Vidyalaya, and the Badulla Uva Maha Vidyalaya, would be closed until September 15, the ministry stated.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that in order to transition from a controlled economy to a market economy not only the economic restrictions but restrictions on non -governmental activities would also have to be removed.Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that the country should be set on an export-oriented economic track to successfully face its challenges concerning repayment of debts and economic development.He was speaking at a book launch held at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute in Colombo yesterday where C .Narayanasuwami launched his book & Managing Development: People Policies and Institutions&. Wickremesinghe was flanked by Central Bank Governor, C. Narayanasuwami, Indrajith Coomaraswamy, Dr Lloyd Fernando, K.H J Wijeyadasa, and Kanthi Gunathilaka at the head table. The gathering comprised many civil servants, law makers and experts in numerous fields.