Port of Colombo is operating under intense environment due to the congestion taking place as a result of Covid-19 virus where port employees tested positive for the virus and another group is being quarantined to control the spread. It is also reported that several vessels has been anchored outside the port for several days due to the ongoing severe congestion at port.
Due to the current situation emerged in Sri Lanka with the second wave of Covid-19, the cargo owners are being delayed to collect their cargo from the port. As a result, these backlogged cargo containers piling up in the port, tightening the situation in the port. With the accumulation of these backlogged containers at port, a bottle neck has been created in the port capacity leading to a severe congestion.
Retired General Daya Ratnayake, Chairman of the Ports Authority, said to the media that the cause for this congestion is not on the port, but with the inability of the cargo owners to collect their cargo containers on time.
Mr. Sunil Jayarathne, Media Spokesperson of Port Authority, mentioned that special measures are being taken to clear the backlogged containers during the following days to ease the congestion at port.
As many employees at port; Covid-19 patients. Quarantined employees and employees in isolated areas, are unable to report to work, port authority has taken the assist of retired employees and qualified personnel from other institutions to perform cargo clearance procedures.
Retired General Daya Ratnayake, Chairman of the Ports Authority, ensured that import and export activities would not be hindered in any case. And further he asked the private cargo owners and companies to get cleared their cargo containers from ports as soon as possible.