Sri Lanka Ready to Contribute to Global Stability: Minister Anura Karunathilaka
27-Mar-2026.
Sri Lanka is ready to contribute to global stability during a time of worldwide uncertainty by ensuring uninterrupted, efficient and secure trade movement, without exploiting crises for profit, stated Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Services Anura Karunathilaka.
He made these remarks while addressing the procurement agreement ceremony between Hambantota International Port Group and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, held on March 26 at the Hilton Hotel in Hambantota.
Speaking further, the Minister stated that in 2025, the Hambantota Port handled 8.24 million tonnes of imports. At the same time, 428,000 container operations were recorded, marking a significant milestone in transforming Hambantota into a regional transshipment hub.
He also stated that the Hambantota International Port Industrial Park has commenced operations with its first factory, producing around 1,000 containers within its first year. This achievement reflects Hambantota’s growing attractiveness as an emerging industrial and logistics hub.
The signing ceremony marks another major milestone. With an investment of USD 106 million, Hambantota International Port Group, in collaboration with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries, will procure advanced terminal equipment including cranes.
At a time when global trade, including the Middle East region, is increasingly surrounded by uncertainty, disruptions in key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal have highlighted the need for resilience, reliability and diversification in global shipping and logistics networks.
In this evolving context, Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to emerge not as an alternative, but as a reliable and stable partner in ensuring the continuity of global maritime trade.
Sri Lanka’s ports, particularly the Port of Colombo and the Port of Hambantota, are strategically positioned to operate as safe, efficient and competitive hubs for transshipment and maritime services.
The Minister stated that Sri Lanka must enhance its ability to provide comprehensive maritime solutions, ranging from bunkering and ship repairs to crew changes and logistics support.
He added that Hambantota, in particular, is developing into a modern, integrated port and industrial ecosystem capable of meeting diverse needs of global maritime stakeholders.
To achieve these goals, Sri Lanka must continue seeking strong strategic partnerships to expand capacity, improve service reliability, and strengthen operational efficiency. At the same time, it must encourage technological innovation and develop the human resources required to build a future-ready maritime sector.
He reiterated that Sri Lanka is ready to contribute to global stability during a time of uncertainty by ensuring uninterrupted, efficient and secure trade movement, without exploiting crises for profit.
He also invited global maritime stakeholders to join Sri Lanka in this journey and become partners in Sri Lanka’s emergence as a leading maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.
