Operations at the Port of Colombo resumed on Wednesday afternoon following the end of a work suspension by port staff. The suspension began on Tuesday evening, following the resignation of Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa amid severe political unrest.
Activities at thePortofColombohave been severely disrupted during the last couple of months, owing to political and economic crises.
The island nation has enforced a state of emergency, and has reportedly ordered “shoot-on-sight” to its military and police, empowering them to arrest without warrants anyone disrupting the movement of people and trucks, and even shoot those attacking others or damaging property, amid protests by opposition political activists.
On Tuesday trade unions and labourers at Colomboport stopped working, suspending operations at its Jaya Container Terminal and Colombo East Container Terminal. Navigation services at the port were also suspended due to the strike.
During the nearly 20-hour strike no vessels were allowed to berth or depart, while the loading and unloading of boxes was also suspended.
After the strike began, the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents expressed “deep concern” and urged trade unions and labourers to resume work to avoid severe trade disruption which could further deepen the country’s crises.
“We, on behalf of our members, appeal to your good selves to convince the trade unions and labour to get back to work and resume operations ensuring that the port of Colombo, which is the nerve centre of the country’s economy, operates in ensuring the movement of essential commodities at this critical time,” the association wrote in a letter to the chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
The crisis has become a major source of concern for carriers serving the Indian subcontinent, with many looking to call at alternative ports.
Along with many other Asian countries, Bangladesh uses the port to tranship its export-import cargoes. According to shippers, some 40% Bangladeshi export cargoes, mainly apparel, are ferried to mother vessels through Colombo port. Bangladeshi shippers are fearful of more major disruptions.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has some 8,500Bangladesh-bound boxes stuck inColomboport, while other operators have thousands of boxes stuck there.
