- Silt and sand layers applied to address soil issues
- WCT operations set to partially begin by Feb. ’25
The construction of the Colombo Port East Container Terminal (ECT), the largest container operations terminal at the Port of Colombo, has been delayed due to unforeseen soil conditions at the construction site, The Sunday Morning learns.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Managing Director Ganaka Hemachandra confirmed that the soil at the site had not been up to the expected standard initially, leading to delays in the construction process.
The area, previously marshy, had required significant groundwork before construction could proceed.
“We deposited silt to stabilise the lower soil layers. Following that, a layer of sand was applied to help the silt settle,” Hemachandra explained.
He said that the technical issue had now been resolved and the ground condition had stabilised, allowing construction to move forward.
However, the delays caused by the soil stabilisation process have pushed back the expected completion date of the project.
Originally set to be completed by 2025, the ECT’s completion is now estimated to take place as late as 15 November 2026, according to a recent press release from the Ministry of Transport.
The ministry has stressed that the extended timeline is contingent upon the resolution of current challenges at the site.
In a bid to expedite the construction process, Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Vijitha Herath has intervened, urging authorities to push for an earlier completion target of 30 June 2025.
Additionally, the Government has approved a special tax relief measure, offering a 20% reduction on taxes for the project, which is expected to cost around $ 750 million, covering both construction and equipment expenses.
Despite the setbacks, officials remain optimistic about the project’s long-term impact. The completion of the ECT is expected to significantly boost the operational capacity of the Port of Colombo, strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in international maritime trade and providing a substantial economic benefit to the country.
As construction progresses, operations at the West Container Terminal (WCT) are expected to begin partially by February 2025.