New Academic Centre “Sayura” Declared Open at Mahapola Maritime Academy by the Minister
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on 30th March 2023 opened a new academic centre named as ‘Sayura,’ at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at the Centre at the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy, which comprises the latest facilities for training courses and provide job opportunities for them in the ports and maritime sector.
The Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy conducts courses according to the international standards for SLPA employees and for those who seeks jobs in the commercial shipping sector. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva after recognizing the requirement for modernizing facilities for the maritime education, has instructed officials to construct the new education centre.
The Minister said that he was glad to launch the port training centre to provide new knowledge and jobs that bring foreign exchange to the country. He also said that it was right time to remember the late Lalith Athulathmudali, who pioneered in setting up the Mahapola Training Academy, which provides an invaluable service to develop the port sector in Sri Lanka.
“Professionals and employees at the port must update their knowledge at a frequent pace to keep up with a vastly developing sector with new knowledge, innovations and modern technologies. Therefore, the port training facility should perform a pioneering task in this area. It should take measures to strengthen the recognition and credibility placed by the international port community on the Port of Colombo, which is at an extremely important geo-strategic point,” he said.
The Minister also said that he had already discussed with shipping companies to offer priority for the pass-outs from the Mahapola training centre when they provide jobs in the sector. The Minister highlighted that a programme should be arranged to provide students with training for practical knowledge of tugs and other vessels. “Steps will be taken to recruit women gantry crane operators to utilise young spirit to boost productivity in the port sector as pointed out by the International Labour Organization (ILO),” he said.
“More new disciplines should be introduced at the Mahapola training centre along with its expansion and the facility should be upgraded as a Maritime Academy,” the Minister said. Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry Secretary K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, SLPA Managing Director Susantha Abeysiriwardena, Director (Human Resources) Nalin Aponso, Director (Security) – Maj. Gen. Sudath Perera (Retd), Acting Director (Logistics) G. Zavia Miskin, Harbour Master Capt. Nirmal P. Silva, Chief Manager (Training) S.H.Thilakapala, a number of Executive Officials, staff members, students and port trade union representatives were present.