Courtesy of the Daily News, 16 August 2012
The Oluvil Harbour will be commissioned by the end of this month, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) sources said. Work on this harbour commenced in 2008 with funds from the Dutch government. The Danish government had provided 46 million euros for the harbour project. The harbour has been constructed as a twin harbour in a sea territory of 21 hectares in Akkaraipattu.
Around 600 fishing vessels can be anchored at the fisheries harbour. A cement factory and a fertiliser storage complex will also be constructed in the harbour premises in the future. Many investors have come forward to start several projects in the harbour area as well, sources said. SLPA sources said the Oluvil Harbour will add value to the fishing industry and bring export revenue to the country. The Oluvil Port will be the only port which will be a fisheries port in the country and create a hub for all international trawlers as a base to unload their fresh fish which will be processed for export for Japanese, Chinese and other Asian markets, they said.
Web Editor’s Comment: I passed this way in May 2010 and thought the growing hub would be important for Batti district. [alongside the bridging of seven rivers whihc has since connected batticaloa to Trinco]. In economic geography and political economy terms Oluvil will now be a “growth pole” or nodal development point — much like Hambantota, albeit ona smaller scale.
