With effect from June 1, 2022, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has chosen to collect all available revenue from navigation, stevedoring, and terminal income from shipping lines in US dollars rather than Sri Lankan rupees, according to Ports and Shipping Minister, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon. SLPA made these collections in Sri Lankan rupees throughout the last few decades.
“We expect to earn US$ 100-200 million from this process annually once it starts,” the minister said.
During a meeting with Minister Tennakoon, the officials of the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) and Sri Lanka Association of Vessel Operators (SLAVO) also have agreed to proceed with
this proposal. The Minister also said that there are three terminals at the Colombo Port, and two privately-owned terminals are already implementing this and earning income in US$. He said that State-owned terminals too are going to implement this with effect from June 1st. The Minister said that this process is applicable only to shipping lines and related services.
