List of ports in Sri Lanka by region

Sri Lanka has a rich maritime history, with a network of ports that play a vital role in the country's economy.

The island nation's strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it an important hub for international trade.

Sri Lanka's ports can be broadly categorized into three regions: the Western Region, the Eastern Region, and the Northern Region.

The Western Region is home to the country's busiest port, the Port of Colombo, which handles over 90% of Sri Lanka's international trade.

For more insights, see: Packing List for International Travel Pdf

In Western Sri Lanka, you'll find the Port of Colombo, the country's busiest port. It's situated on the southwestern shores of the Kelani River, making it a crucial hub for international trade.

The Port of Colombo handles a massive 7 million TEUs (2019) and has an annual cargo tonnage of 30.9 million tons. This impressive volume of cargo is a testament to the port's importance in Sri Lanka's economy.

Here are some key features of the Port of Colombo:

Colombo is the most essential and busiest port in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern shores of the Kelani River. It serves as Asia's important terminal, handling most of Sri Lanka's international trade.

The Port of Colombo is a massive operation, with an impressive 7 million TEUs (2019) and an annual cargo tonnage of 30.9 million tons. This is a staggering amount of cargo, and it's clear why the port is so crucial to Sri Lanka's economy.

The port's location in the Indian Ocean makes it an ideal hub for trade, and its artificial harbor is the largest in the world, offering 51 berths. This allows for a wide range of vessels to dock and unload their cargo.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) administers and operates the port, which is a testament to the country's commitment to efficient trade practices. The port is also home to three terminals: JCT, SAGT, and UCT, which handle cargo in all sizes and shapes.

Here are some key statistics about the Port of Colombo:

Galle is a historic port city located on Sri Lanka's southwestern coast. The Port of Galle is the oldest port in the country and has been operational since the 12th century.

Galle Harbour is a natural harbour covering 320 hectares, serving cruise ships and commercial vessels. The harbour is protected by a rocky promontory called Point De Galle and is recognized by international yacht societies as one of the best destinations for yachting.

The port handles different kinds of cargo such as rice, flour, cement, clinker, gypsum, and fertilisers on its main wharf. It is visited by more than 120 vessels every year and is capable of accommodating ships with a maximum LOA of 130 m and a draught of 7 m.

Galle was the main port of the island until the rise of the Port of Colombo in 1875. The Port of Galle has a water area of 320 hectares, providing mooring facilities for two alongside vessels.

Here are some key facts about the Port of Galle:

Trincomalee port is a major natural harbor in Sri Lanka, located on the northeastern shores of the country. It has the second-largest natural harbour in the world and the deepest harbour in the entire South-East Asian region.

The port has a long history dating back to the age of exploration and was held by various colonial powers. It was chosen as a base by the British Royal Navy during World War II.

Trincomalee port handles exports of mineral sands and wheat bran and receives shipments of cement, petroleum goods, and clinker. Approximately 160 ships pass through this facility annually.

Here are some key statistics about the Port of Trincomalee:

Trincomalee is a major port in Eastern Sri Lanka, boasting the second-largest natural harbour in the world. It's a strategic location, with a deep harbour that can accommodate ships of any size.

Trincomalee has a long history, having been held by various colonial powers including the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British. It's a key bulk cargo port, handling exports of mineral sands and wheat bran, and receiving shipments of cement, petroleum goods, and clinker.

Suggestion: Port of Aberdeen South Harbour

The port operates on a 24-hour basis, except on May Day and with daylight navigation only. It has four multi-purpose berths and 1,750 meters of quay, and primarily handles bulk goods.

Trincomalee's primary import goods include cement, wheat, petroleum products, and clinker, while its primary export commodities are mineral sand, pellets, and wheat. The port boasts 10 times the water amount and land reserves than Colombo Port.

Here's a summary of Trincomalee's key statistics:

The Sri Lankan government has plans to expand the port into a highly competitive export hub, but faces a debt crisis and is seeking potential investors.

Point Pedro is a significant port in eastern Sri Lanka, located in the Jaffna District. It's situated on the northernmost extremity of the island, also known as Sakkotai Cape.

Cotton is produced around Point Pedro in the fertile calcic red latosol soils, making it an agricultural hub. The soil is porous, with a water table deep underground, estimated to hold about one billion litres of fresh water.

The eastern coast of Point Pedro forms a 3 mile wide, 20 mile long beach with sand dunes up to 100 feet high, extending to Thalayady. This coastline is a natural wonder, with the sand dunes creating a unique landscape.

Point Pedro has a small harbour, which is controlled by the Sri Lankan army. This harbour has a rich history as a former trading port, with a simple yet significant site that showcases the region's past.

Oluvil Harbour is a commercial and fishing port in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province, located in the Ampara District. It was officially inaugurated on September 1, 2013, and occupies a total land area of 60 hectares.

The harbour can accommodate vessels of up to 5,000 metric tons, making it a significant facility for cargo handling in the region. It also serves as the southeastern link in the country's growing series of coastal harbors.

The harbour's fishery harbour can accommodate over 250 fishing boats, providing a vital service to the local fishing industry. This is a significant development for the region, which relies heavily on fishing as a source of income.

The Oluvil Harbour is a key component of Sri Lanka's chain of coastal harbors, providing more convenient and cost-effectively commodities and freight transportation to and from the southeast.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Biggest Fishing Ports in the Us