By: Staff Writer
September 23, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), a state-run entity, has invited expressions of interest (EOIs) to develop the Talaimannar North Pier in the Port of Mannar.
The project is planned on a build, operate, and transfer (BOT) model. This initiative aligns with India’s Adani Group’s plans to establish wind power projects in the Mannar and Northern Pooneryn areas, with a combined capacity of nearly 500 MW. Mannar’s project location spans 250 acres in an environmentally sensitive zone, facing legal hurdles.
The SLPA aims to transform the Port of Mannar into a regional hub, primarily focusing on passenger and cargo services.
A passenger ferry already operates between Sri Lanka’s northern region and southern India. Last November, the Sri Lankan government brought the Mannar port under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act, setting the stage for new ferry services between Mannar and India.
Mannar will join Sri Lanka’s list of major ports, which currently includes Colombo, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Galle, Kankesanthurai (KKS), and Oluvil.
According to the SLPA, this call for EOIs marks the initial phase of selecting an investor for the Talaimannar North Pier development. Documents for the EOI will be available from September 18 to October 28, with a pre-EOI meeting scheduled for October 2. The final date for submitting EOIs is October 30.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation is planning to re-construct the Talaimannar pier to facilitate passenger vessels from Rameswaram, India.
The pier was destroyed and had been abandoned to deteriorate during the conflict era in the north., the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has been given the task to re-construct the pier at an estimated cost of Rs.1.8 billion.
Parallel to the re-construction of the pier, about 10 acres of government-owned land bordering the port will be acquired for port infrastructure development activities.
Under these new developments, a modern passenger terminal and warehouse facilities will be constructed. It has also been decided to call for RFPs for these investments to be carried out under PPP basis.
In the past, a passenger ferry service existed between Talaimannar and Dhanushkodi. However, the Dhanushkodi port was completely destroyed due to cyclones.
At present, India has completed developments at the Rameswaram Port, and the Indian government has declared clearance to commence a passenger ferry service between Mannar and Rameswaram.
