Capt. Nihal Keppetipola assumed duties as the 27th Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) today (22.06.2021). On the instructions of His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the appointment was made by the Hon.Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena.
Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, a professional in the field of Merchant Shipping, served as the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) from 2008 to 2015. A product of Dharmaraja College, Kandy and has served as a Captain of several International Shipping Companies in Container, Conventional, Gas and Fuel Shipping lines, Capt. Nihal Keppetipola joined the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) in 1990 as a Pilot, whilst serving at the Ceylon Shipping Corporation. He served as the Harbour Master of the Port of Colombo from 1990 to 2006. Thereafter, Capt.Keppetipola served as the Director (Operations) and from 2006-2008 as the Additional Managing Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, a professional in the field of Merchant Shipping, as the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has made a dedicated contribution and service to the sector especially, during the implementation of projects such as the Colombo Port Expansion Project, the Hambantota Port Project and the Colombo Port City Project.
Prior to assuming his duties as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), he served as the Chairman of the Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation.
Assuming duties as the new Chairman of SLPA at its Chairman’s Office today, Capt.Nihal Keppetipola said that he would like to thank His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for appointing him as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at a time of crisis in the global port and shipping sector in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic. He assured for his commitment to implementing, to highly contribute to the Sri Lanka’s socio-economic process based on the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ the policy document of the Government of His Excellency the President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He also thanked the Hon. Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena for placing his trust in him. Recalling his role as a top-down employee and as the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), he stated that he was committed to making the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ a reality together in collaboration with the Hon.Minister of Ports and Shipping, Hon.State Minister, the Secretaries to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping the State Ministry.
The new Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Capt.Nihal Keppetipola also said that he hoped to deal very well and with the Executive Officers of all grades and the SLPA trade union representatives in a very effective and friendly manner as he was much familiar with them since beginning.
Hon.Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Hon.Minister of Fisheries – Douglus Devananda, Hon.Minister of Public Security – Rear Admiral Dr. Sarath Weerasekara, Hon. State Minister of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development – Jayantha Samaraweera, Hon. State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness – Dr.Nalaka Godahewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping – Mr.U.D.C.Jayalal, Secretary to the State Ministry of Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development – Mr.D.D.Mataraarachchi, Secretary to the State Ministry of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish & Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multiday Fishing Activities and Fish Exports – Mr.Jayantha Chandrasoma, Director General of Merchant Shipping – Mr. Ajith Seneviratne, Private Secretaries to the Hon.Ministers present, Vice Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) – Dr.Prasantha Jayamanna, Additional Managing Director of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) – Mr. Susantha Abeysiriwardena, Directors of SLPA, Higher Executive Officials and several SLPA Trade Union Representatives also participated at the event.