Trade Unions differ on ports authority land costs

COLOMBO (News 1st); Port Trade Unions alleged that leasing 13 acres of property of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority would severely undermine the freight services of the country.

'Sri Lanka has two main sources of income. One is the freight services and the other is Export & Import process,' said Prasanna Kalutarage, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (Ports) on Monday(13), noting that leasing property to Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) would create a serious issue for income.

He went on to note leasing valuable property for a close cost is not the answer to the government's foreign exchange crisis.

Another trade union leader, Lal Bangamuwage said if the property is lease the monthly lease should be Rs. 65 Million and not Rs. 850,000/-, as mentioned by the government.