Thirteenth INAP General Assembly and Symposium Report from Sri Lanka

The thirteenth INAP General Assembly and Symposium was successfully held at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on August 24, 2011 on the theme, “Bridging Global Regions through Affiliated Ports for Mutual Cooperation”. Except the Port of Qingdao, People’s Republic of China, all the other member ports were in attendance at this event.

The event was hosted by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and was graced by Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardana, Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation, Sri Lanka and Hon. Masanao Ozaki, Governor of Kochi Prefectural Government, Japan.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, the then Chairman of INAP Mr. Dennis R. Villamor, General Manager of Cebu Port Authority, could not attend the event but he was represented by Mr. Mario G. Tan, Manager (Engineering Services) of the same Authority, who took the chair in place of Mr. Villamor and conducted the proceedings in the General Assembly which preceded the symposium. It was in the General Assembly that the official handover of the INAP Chairmanship from the Port of Cebu, to the Port of Colombo occurred. The handover of the chairmanship was symbolized by presenting the INAP flag by Mr. Mario G. Tan, Manager (Engineering Services) of Cebu Port Authority to Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama, Chairman Sri Lanka Ports Authority in the presence of all the heads of delegations and their personal staff. Mr. Tan expressed his thanks to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for organizing this premier event, stressing the need to “strengthen cooperation between sister ports in order to meet the challenges, the maritime industry would face in the future”.

On being unanimously elected as INAP Chairman, for the coming year, Dr. Wickrama, took the chair and thanked all INAP members for having confidence in Colombo and vowed to fulfill INAP objectives to the best of his ability. The assembly then proceeded with passing the rest of the bills according to the agenda. Capt. Nihal Keppetipola proposed that exchanges among sister ports, in terms of technical skills, knowledge or even maritime carriage of goods be given high priority in the future activities of INAP. Captain Perfecto C. Pascual, Acting Department Manager of the Port of Subic Bay, Philippines suggested that the INAP charter be amended in order for more ports to join as members of INAP. All the bills were passed with no objections and the Secretariat proposed that the next INAP conference be hosted by the Port of Tanjung Perak. In response to this proposal, Mr.Eko Hariyadi B, Terminal Manager of Port of Tanjung Perak expressed his willingness to host the 14th INAP Conference under the aegis of the Port of Tanjung Perak. Dr. Wickrama on closing the General Assembly said that he would deeply sense the great obligations of this position to which he has been appointed and he shall regard it a duty and privilege to advance the policies of the association with the greatest vigor he possesses. Dr. wickrama vowed to devote himself unswervingly toward the attainment of the objectives with the cooperation of all the members of this flourishing network.

The Opening Ceremony, which followed the General Assembly, was intermingled with several cultural events depicting Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. Dr. Wickrama, the newly-elected INAP made the welcome address, which was followed by the address by the Chief Guest Deputy Minister of Ports and Highways of Sri Lanka, Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardana.

The evening session had been dedicated for country presentations and all the INAP member countries made sleek presentations that carried comprehensive information on their achievements, development plans and experiences etc,. At the end of the evening session, the delegates were taken on a tour of the Colombo South Port, one of the mega development projects undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The closing ceremony and the dinner hosted by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in honour of the delegates emphasized the spirit of great camaraderie that had been built up during the short time of this international event with photographs being taken and gifts being exchanged with promises of keeping in touch with each other.



Dr. Priyath B Wickrama
Chairman
Sri Lanka ports Authority