A major shipping company is reportedly attempting to take control of the Eastern Container Terminal at Colombo Port, with concerns raised by the Joint Alliance of Port Trade Unions.
Shyamal Sumanaratne, Co-Convenor of the Alliance, claimed that altering the terminal’s route plan could be the first step towards transferring control to another party.
He also highlighted the cancellation of a tender for essential equipment, which he believes will delay the terminal’s construction by at least 16 months.
Sumanaratne criticized the current Ports Authority administration for misleading government officials and warned that the Eastern Terminal might not open as scheduled in June.
The union emphasized its commitment to protecting the port, warning that continued mismanagement could lead to a collapse of the port system and confrontations with the government.
