SLPA new office of Lanka Shipping Corporation and Maritime Training Centre to shape new talent

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Lanka Shipping Corporations came into a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 06.03.2008. The MOU was signed between the Chairman of SLPA Mr. Saliya Wickramasuriya and the Chairman of Lanka Shipping Corporation Mr. Y.L.T. Hameed. The MOU was signed at a function held with the initiative of Hon. Minister of Ports and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa. Minister of Port Development Dilan Perera also participated at the occasion.

Lanka Shipping Corporation is currently operated from a building under rent basis. A Committee which represents both parties would implement steps for planning, supervision and financial requirements for the new building to be constructed under the MOU signed.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Port and Aviation Mr. Ranjith De Silva, Chief Executive Director of Lanka Shipping Corporation Mr. Mayantha Dissanayake, General Manager Mr. Sarath Gunawardhane and Mr. Kamal Rathwaththe of SLPA also participated at this occasion.

Expressing views at the occasion, Minister of Port and Aviation said that a Maritime Training School to train youth in the rural areas is started to offer employment opportunities for them in the maritime sector.

 “A large number of employment Opportunities exists in the maritime sector but, there isn’t a proper training school to fulfill this objective and that barrier will be alleviated with the MOU singed between the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Lanka Shipping Corporation today.” The Minister said.

According to the MOU signed, the land of 42 perches be to the SLPA would be utilized to construct the office of Lanka Shipping Corporation and the training centre.

“Our present Youth generation is extremely talented. It is only through the introduction of modern study courses that we would be able to have their skills for the development of the country. These study courses should be prepared with the Co-ordination of international universities as well. Through such programmes, opportunities would exist for educated youths to obtain jobs abroad for better and large salaries as well”, the Minister added.
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