Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva Thursday (30) opened a new academic facility in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).

This new facility, located at the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy, is named, ‘SAYURA’. It consists of the latest facilities to create new training courses and opportunities for trainees in the ports and maritime sector.

It was highlighted that the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy will conduct courses according to international standards for SLPA employees and those who seek employment opportunities in the commercial shipping sector.

The Minister, after recognising the need to modernise the maritime education facility, ordered the construction of the new educational premises.

The Minister said that he was glad to have such opportunity to expand the port training centre enabling provision of new knowledge to create new employment opportunities that bring foreign exchange to the country.