SLPA Chairman inspects the Coronavirus quarantine program at Colombo Port

“We have prepared all the necessary measures to deal with the emergency at the Port of Colombo,  in view of the current global health issue of Novel Coronavirus,”


Chairman of SLPA  – General (Retd.) Daya  Ratnayake

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), General ( Retired) Daya Ratnayake, today (05) joined to inspect the  special programme  to quarantine and  improve the health facilities of the tourists to Sri Lanka arriving on board  passenger  vessels  at the  Passenger Terminal of the Port of Colombo.

This special programme  has been  implemented under the guidance of General Daya Ratnayake – Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).  Passengers,  if   found  infected, or found suspected to be infected,  isolated for first aid until they are transported to relevant hospitals in Colombo or suburbs.  Accordingly, a special isolation cabin has also been built at  the passenger terminal of the Port of Colombo.   All facilitations and check-ups are conducted causing no difficulty for the passengers arriving at the port from foreign destinations.

The Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority General Daya Ratnayake is in discussions with the souvenir and gift item stall owners at the Port of Colombo

The quarantine programme  is successfully carried out under strict coordination of  Director (Quarantine) of the Ministry of Health  – Dr. S.M.Arnald and assistance of Deputy Director Roshan Sampath.  All passenger ships arriving at the Port of Colombo  are under strict inspection.

The medical reports of the passengers and the crew of the vessels are collected via the ships’ Masters  for chek-ups.

‘MV  Sun Princess’ called recently,  at the Port of Colombo  with 1952 passengers   and 872  crew members on board,  Queen Mary 2 arrived with 2470 passengers and 1425 crew  on board and MV Boudicca Nassau  called with 583 passengers and 366 crew members on board today were also inspected at the Port of Colombo under this special quarantine programme. 

At the invitation of Capt.Mikael Degerlund – Master of MV Boudicca Nassau, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) –   General  Daya Ratnayake and  a team of higher Officers  of SLPA  joined on board the ship for friendly discussions.

There, it was  emphasized by the Chairman of SLPA  that Sri Lanka Ports Authority as the land lord of  the Port of Colombo   would  work with all parties to meet the challenges of the Novel Coronavirus  and to comply with international standards.

“There is a rapid increase in the number of passenger ships arriving at the Port of Colombo. So, it is clear that the Port of Colombo is becoming a favourite tourist destination. In comparison, the SLPA has provided them with required facilities and is planning to upgrade these facilities in near future. In particular, we have prepared all the necessary measures to deal with the emergency at the Port of Colombo,  in view of the current global health issue of Novel Coronavirus,” Chairman of SLPA  – General Daya  Ratnayake said.

SLPA Chairman General Daya Ratnayake also inspected Sri Lankan souvenir and  gift shops and outlets for foreign tourists located at the  Port of Colombo.

(Left) Mr.Saman Devapriya – Chief Engineer (Civil) SLPA, Capt.Nirmal Silva – Harbour Master SLPA, Capt. Athula Hewavitharana – Managing Director SLPA, Capt.Mikael Degerlund – Master of MV Boudicca Nassau, General Daya Ratnayake – Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Mr D. Upali De Zoysa – Additional Managing Director SLPA and Mr.Nalin Aponso – Chief Manager (communication and Public Relations) SLPA onboard MV Boudicca Nassau

  The shop owners said that it was the  first visit of an  SLPA chairman to inspect their stalls and were pleased to  inquire  into issues that would give a fresh entry into the Sri Lankan passenger ship industry.

Capt. Athula Hewavitharana – Managing Director SLPA, Mr. D. Upali De Zoysa – Additional Managing Director SLPA, Mr.Saman Devapriya – Chief Engineer (Civil) SLPA, Capt.Nirmal Silva – Harbour Master SLPA, Mr.Nalin Aponso – Chief Manager (communication and Public Relations) SLPA, Capt.Mikael Degerlund – Master of MV Boudicca Nassau,  a number of higher officials of SLPA and several representatives of shipping lines  also joined the occasion.

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