By: Staff Writer
November 27, Colombo (LNW): Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has announced a major operational expansion through a partnership with Rank Container Terminals Ltd. (RCT) to establish a dedicated container inspection yard inside the port. The new facility valued at Rs. 1 billion will function as the central inspection point for all import and export containers moving through the port, marking one of the most significant logistics developments in Sri Lanka’s southern region.
The project is designed to modernise container processing, reduce delays, and create a streamlined inspection hub in close coordination with Sri Lanka Customs and other government agencies. Senior Customs officials, including Director General Seevali Arukgoda, attended the groundbreaking ceremony, underscoring the state’s support for the initiative.
RCT Chairman Ravi Wijeratne said the new yard is specifically aimed at servicing the southern hinterland, noting that Hambantota can help ease the pressure on the congested Colombo Port by offering an efficient alternative for container inspection and handling.
HIPG CEO Wilson Qu said the expansion fits directly into the port’s long-term development blueprint. Hambantota recently added new cranes and equipment that allow it to handle up to one million containers annually. The inspection yard, he said, strengthens the port’s ability to respond to rising logistics needs and positions Hambantota as a catalyst for southern Sri Lanka’s industrial growth.
RCT, founded in 1994, operates the country’s leading inland clearance depot in Colombo and is known as Sri Lanka’s pioneer import inspection terminal. It is also the largest inland operator hosting all key state agencies—including Customs—under one roof. The company plans to replicate this “one-stop-shop” model in Hambantota, bringing comprehensive handling, inspection services, and modern technology to reduce bottlenecks and accelerate cargo movement.
Hambantota Port continues its push to establish itself as a diversified maritime hub connecting energy, automotive, industrial, and container operations. The new project is expected to strengthen the port’s competitiveness at a time when the government is moving to attract more foreign investment and build stronger external buffers.
Speaking at an investor forum organised by Tellimer and Softlogic Stockbrokers, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe said Sri Lanka must enhance reserves ahead of rising external debt repayments after 2028.
He noted that debt service obligations will increase by around USD 785 million from that year onward, making reserve accumulation critical. However, he dismissed fears of a renewed repayment crisis, saying the restructuring has smoothed the debt profile and that the additional payments are manageable if current fiscal discipline is maintained.
Independent think tank Arutha Research also stated last September that concerns about a post-2028 “debt cliff” are overstated, noting that repayments scheduled to resume in 2028 add only about USD 1 billion to servicing costs comparable to existing obligations.
Abeysinghe added that the government expects stronger reserves through tourism, remittances, and especially foreign direct investment, which it aims to double to USD 2 billion within two to three years.
He emphasised that the discipline introduced under the IMF programme must continue beyond it. “The IMF gave us a framework and structure,” he said. “Fiscal discipline is essential, whether the IMF is here or not.”
The Hambantota–RCT partnership is expected to support this broader economic strategy by improving trade efficiency and strengthening Sri Lanka’s logistics competitiveness at a crucial time.
