Ships to anchor in Sri Lanka's Hambanthota harbor on November 19

Sri Lanka Ports Authority sources say the first ship will berth in the new Magampura Harbour in Hambanthota district of Sri Lanka's Southern Province on November 19.


President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to witness the ceremonial anchoring of a ship in the new harbor.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority sources said that the first ship to berth in the port is a sail yacht that recalls the ancient shipping along historic silk route.

Sri Lanka Navy owned custom passenger ship Jetliner and a ship owned by a local businessman are to enter the harbor next, Sri Lanka Ports Authority sources say.

With the commissioning of the port, the government has planned to attract investors into the area. The surrounding area of 2,000 hectares will be developed as an investment and industrial zone and already 65 investors have expressed interest, the government says.