Minister Vijitha Herath visited the Colombo Port on Thursday (7) to address ongoing issues, particularly the delays in container clearances. Officials expressed their concerns over persistent clearance delays that have plagued operations for nearly two years.
They reported that, two to three years ago, they were able to dispatch approximately 1,800 to 2,000 containers daily. However, recent irregularities have disrupted this process, leading to problems with the proper order of container exits, even when token numbers are assigned for clearance.
Officials also highlighted contributing factors to the delays, noting that some workers are performing their duties while under the influence of alcohol, while others have been neglecting their responsibilities due to personal matters, such as attending funerals.
In light of these challenges, the officials urged the minister to facilitate a more efficient container clearance process, emphasizing the need for operations to be conducted without corruption or undue interference. The minister’s support is seen as crucial for restoring the port’s efficiency and ensuring smoother logistics moving forward.
