A large area of land belonging to the Trincomalee harbour has been encroached upon by trespassers. As such it should be investigated and all such illegally occupied land revested with the Port early, said Roads and Highways, Ports and Shipping Minister Johnston Fernando during his inspection of the Trincomalee Port recently.
He said the Trincomalee port ranks as the world’s second largest natural harbour and he would make every effort to ensure its rapid development and maximise its revenue by attracting new projects during his tenure.
The Minister said he would get competent personnel from the private sector and infuse a new lease of life to make the Port run profitably.
“Today the Port is in the doldrums, as some unpatriotic elements indulge in the habit of removing valuable parts from the oil tank installations”.
The problems relating to the oil tanks need to be resolved early. Of a total of 2,500 hectares of the port land only 1,200 hectares remains today, the rest being occupied by trespassers. In 1978, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority had vested these lands with it. Some parties are said to have deeds to sections of the land and there are approximately 300 cases pending against such land owners.
The Minister directed the officials to have the disputes over land settled early.