New Port will strengthen national and international trade ties ' Sri Lanka President

Sri Lanka is a rising economy in Asia and the new Magampura Harbour at Hambanthota will pave the way to strengthen national and international trade ties further, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Addressing a massive crowd gathered to witness the historic Karadiyawara Mangallaya, the ceremonial sea water intake completing Phase One of the Hambantota Port Development Sunday, the President said Sri Lanka is now engaged in building its future taking forward the nation's greatest ever victory achieved on 19th of May last year by eliminating the terrorism that plagued the country for three decades.
President Rajapaksa initiated the mechanism to fill water to the harbour basin at an auspicious time this morning amidst Pirith chanting by the Maha Sangha. The port has been named the 'Magampura International harbour'
"Every drop of water that fills up this great port should dissolve and wipe out the feelings of weakness and inability that once prevailed among us," the President told the crowd.
"This a great symbol of our moving away from the days when we said we are unable to develop for lack of funds, to a time when we can show how the country can be developed through our own strength," President Rajapaksa said.
President Rajapaksa said the harbour will immensely contribute to the development of the country as it would create an opportunity to introduce local productions to international markets becoming a production hub of the world.
The first phase of the Port will consist of two 600 meters general purpose berths, a 310 meters bunkering berth and a 120 meters small craft berth.
It will also contain a bunkering facility and tank farm which will include 8 tanks for marine fuel, 3 tanks containing aviation fuel and 3 for Liquid Petroleum Gas. A 15 floor administrative complex is also under construction as part of the project.
The President said the construction of the second international airport at nearby Maththala will also be completed in the near future along with the development of Palali and Ratmalana airports.
He appreciated the support and funding granted by the Chinese government to build the harbour in a measure of further strengthening the bilateral relations. He also commended the support from many other friendly nations to help development activities of post-war Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Speaker of the House and former Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa and Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrema also addressed the public.