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Yes. 96% of the staff members are Sri Lankans, including several in senior management positions. All staff members are offered comprehensive training to upgrade their skills to international standards.

A brand new Master Plan is being formulated in keeping with the changes in the maritime/port industry which are taking place worldwide. This plan will maximise the benefits of the free port policy and strategic access to one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes located just a few nautical miles south of the port. Several international companies have already commenced operations at the Hambantota International Port and industrial park.

SL Navy has been appointed by the Government to be in charge of security in and around the port premises. This is in keeping with the recommendations of the International Ship and Port Security Regulations (ISPS).

No rent is charged from the SL Navy. They are provided all amenities required for their presence and carrying out duties in the port.

The name of the port is Hambantota International Port.

Yes, the port provides bunkering facilities. This facility will be further expanded in keeping with the Master Plan. The strategic location of Hambantota provides great opportunities for expanding this facility.

Since the tank farm has not been operational for over two years, it is under refurbishment at present. Engineering surveys and risk analyses are being carried out to ensure the safe operation of the tank farm.

The tank farm is included within the CA.

HIP will complement the Port of Colombo, not compete. HIP will fully support the Government of Sri Lanka’s ambitious plan to transform the Colombo port into a regional logistics hub.

The artificial island will be used for port related activities, which have also been included in the Master Plan.

The artificial island is included within the terms of the CA.

Future plans are to develop the RO-RO, bunker, and break-bulk business, as well as the out-port services, and to develop the port related industries. We are working on a Master Plan incorporating all of these services. CMPort’s expertise, as well as worldwide port network portfolio will be of considerable advantage in developing the Hambantota International Port into a world-class facility.

There is a written down procedure for any member of the public to enter the port operating area. This procedure is in keeping with international port safety requirements and the ISPS Code requirements. As a globally recognized port operator, the safety of personnel is of paramount importance, especially since the port uses heavy machinery and equipment which could pose risks to personnel entering its premises.

The Port is governed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Act and functions under guidelines established by the Government of Sri Lanka. No naval vessel can berth at the Hambantota port without the approval of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)

The Daily FT newspaper reported on XXX, that: At a forum at the Oxford University on Monday, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe suggested that the site’s potential as a Chinese military installation was “imaginary”. As a measure of reassurance for interested nations, the Sri Lankan Navy’s Southern Command will be moved to the Port of Hambantota to provide port security. “The US Defence Department has been briefed on these developments,” Wickremesinghe said. “There are no foreign naval bases in Sri Lanka,” he added. “The Hambantota Port is a commercial joint venture between our ports authority and China Merchants - a company listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. http://www.ft.lk/front-page/Sri-Lanka-dismisses-concerns-about-China-s-control-of-Hambantota/44-664655

In answer to this, we quote a media report: The Daily Mirror newspaper reported that, “While rejecting claims that either Sri Lanka have sold the Hambantota Port to China Merchant Port or that China coming and taking the Hambantota Port to achieve their geo-political objectives, Minister of Ports and Shipping Mahinda Samarasinghe said that it was not China who asked for the Hambantota Port but Sri Lanka who offered it”. “It was not China who asked for the Hambantota Port, but it was us”, the Minister said addressing the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China held at the BMICH last Friday. The event was organized by the Sri Lanka-China Journalist Forum. Addressing the event further the Minister also said, “Our Prime Minister, who was in China, met the Chinese President and Prime Minister there and appealed from Chinese leadership to help us to make the debt obligation that had resulted in this huge amount of money that was lent to us by China to build the two phases of the Hambantota Port.” He also said that when the Sri Lankan Prime Minister suggested that the loan should be rescheduled or delayed because Sri Lanka were finding it difficult to pay back the loan, the China told Premier “If you do it for Sri Lanka you have to do it for other countries, therefore it is difficult us to consider this moment, but had said that they would find an investor”. “From that investment money, it can be used to repay the debt, that had accumulated and that we were finding difficult to pay back”, he said. Read more 

Wild elephants have been part of the Hambantota area since ancient times. The Wild Life Department is involved in formulating a sustainable solution to manage and protect these animals.