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8 CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic. of vibrant visuals, food cultures and
The Port, however, continued to built environments. In Phase III, it is
function fully in spite of all restrictions expected to strategize internal Port
of movements and curfew. Due to our “ activities.
heavy dependence on both imports We have a strong
and exports, it is impossible to close Upgrading the basic
the Port of Colombo. Operating the controlling and needs of the employees
Port under such trying conditions was management system
a gargantuan task. of SLPA
in the government
SLPA is a mammoth institution with which should be The Port Authority has planned
over 10,000 employees plus a number to upgrade the living standards of
of branches. I had to dive deep into appreciated, but SLPA employees by constructing
its structure to comprehend its true I personally feel one 12-storey building to replace a
proportions. Then we developed a multitude of small buildings scattered
concept on how to run it effectively and that the proper all around to accommodate staff. SLPA
profitably, and then marketed it to the has over 10,000 employees and during
people. I met all the concerned people experts are not the day about 6-7 thousand employees
and visited all the branches. SLPA is one sitting on those are at work in the premises. Many
of the strongholds of trade unionists activities concerning the staff that
with 30 individual trade unions. I had desks. should be centralised are presently
to have one-on-one meetings with operated from many different locations.
them about the new concept we were
proposing to introduce. Port Outlook How SLPA fared during
Landscape the Covid-19 Pandemic
My vast experience in the Sri Lanka
Army was invaluable in handling such As the heart of the nation, the SLPA During my tenure as Chairman, the
a large state enterprise. In the Military, premises boundary wall spans 8 km Covid-19 pandemic was spreading out
we apply four fundamental principles from Chaitya Road up to Modera, of control in Sri Lanka and the rest of
when handling a critical situation: We where a substantial multiracial and the world, and we were able to bring
always check, 1. Where are we now? multireligious population inhabits. its spread under considerable control
2. How did we come to this position? It was my intention to develop this within the Port premises. Keeping
3. Where do we want to go? and, 4. huge area surrounding the Port wall in mind the national importance of
How will we get there? These are the into an entertainment park comprising keeping the Port open 24x7, especially
four major areas we assessed. We restaurants, cinemas, shops selling when the Colombo International
analysed the situation of the Port and indigenous products, and walkways. Airport was closed, the Port of
how we came to this position. Then we During an average day, there are Colombo, as the only link to the rest of
set goals on where we want to be as about 600 foreigners within the SLPA the world, maintained industrial peace
a leading the strategically placed port premises as well as fifteen to twenty and took collective action against the
in the region. Consequently, we had a ships berthed, some of which are unseen enemy. We also took proactive
very good opportunity to forge ahead passenger ships carrying 350 to 5000 measures to prepare the Port to face
in the best interest of the country. passengers. Where can they go when the brunt of the aftermath in case the
There were so many problems to be their ships are berthed? situation worsened.
addressed. The organisation had been
highly politicised over the years by The Department of Architecture of the An operational room was set up
different political parties, governments, University of Moratuwa submitted a to address the challenges of the
and ministries. We had to understand proposal on a concept given by me pandemic through a joint initiative of
these realities in framing our strategies. to develop the city boundary along the SLPA, South Asia Gate Terminals
Therefore, my primary function the edge of the Colombo City with a (SAGT), the Colombo International
was developing a plan with an sustainable approach to promote a Container Terminals (CICT)and all other
understanding of the ground realities. relaxing and entertaining area for its main stake holders involved in day to
Subsequently, we educated everybody users. The area around the edge of day port operations.
and got their support and interaction the port is to be developed into a lively
and they worked together to achieve it. open area network for the city. These initiatives were commended
Finally, I have to say that we achieved a even by the Health Ministry officials who
lot through a significant transformation This project was due to be implemented inspected the programme. A number of
of most of the functions. I don’t say it in three phases: Phase I will have an technical and humanitarian measures
was 100% successful, but we were in eco-cultural frontier harbour edge as a were in place to protect employees
the process of achieving it. I hope they public realm; Phase II will promote Sri and visitors to the Port. The Covid-19
will continue to do the work we have Lankan culture and heritage at the entry Preventive Action Committee which
originated. Definitely, the Port will have point to the country by envisioning oversaw the preventive operations
to work hard to bring it to the expected to depict historical, religious and acted with utmost responsibility to
levels. cultural fabric through a landscape contain the virus from spreading.

www.cma-srilanka.org | Volume 06 - No. 2 - September 2021