Delay at Colombo Port terminal triggers Rs 4.2 bn contractor claim: COPE
Sri Lanka’s parliament oversight committee has raised concerns over prolonged delays in the East Container Terminal (ECT) expansion at the Colombo Port, where the contractor has sought Rs. 4.23 billion in compensation after the project fell behind schedule by 548 days.
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), chaired by MP Nishantha Samaraweera, examined the issue during a meeting on Nov. 13 as part of its review of the Auditor General’s Reports for 2022 and 2023 and the current performance of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
Cabinet approval for the ECT development was granted in November 2021, awarding a Rs. 40.27 billion contract, with construction expected to finish by Jan. 3, 2025. Agreements were signed a month later. However, officials told COPE the project had been pushed back due to several factors, with completion now targeted for July 2026 following an extension. COPE instructed SLPA to submit a full report on the delay and the contractor’s compensation claim.
SLPA officials said work is now progressing “very rapidly” and would be completed soon.
The committee also flagged unimplemented recommendations from 2023 concerning employee food expenses. Officials said a competitive tender process has since been introduced to curb costs. COPE further reviewed issues linked to the acquisition and disposal of SLPA-owned land. Samaraweera urged legal action in cases where courts have ordered eviction or recovery, with officials confirming steps were underway.
The committee additionally discussed the renaming of the Seeduwa Raddolugama Sports Club to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Sports Club and the recruitment of its players as SLPA employees.
