PORT OF COLOMBO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 35
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 12, 2002
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: October 24, 1950
• Content Type: REPORT

'
CLAS.SIFICATION,
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO
INFORMATION REPORT CD NO.
COUNTRY Ceylon
SUBJECTPort of Colombo
PLACE
ACQUIRED
mir
DATE
ACQU I RED,?BY SOURCE
DATE OF INFORMATION
25X1X
5X1A
DATE DISTR. yAtIOct 50 ?
NO. OF PAGES
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT 50
U. 5. C.. 31 AND 32. AS AMEN,DED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION
OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PRO-
HIBITED BY LAW. REPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
SOURCE Documentary
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1.
Available on loan from the CIA Library is a booklet entitled "Port of'ColoMbo
Annual:Report for 1949," being an administration report of the Chairman, Colombo
Port Commission, printed in June a950, at the Ceylon Government Press, on order
of the-,,Government. -
2. This booklet sets forth the activities of the Colombo Port Commipsion, and con-
tains data on administration, personnel, port deVelopment and oPeration, shipping,
exports and imports, dock and harbor facilities, etc.
25X1A
CLASSIFICATION
- end.
,\
coriib*iaVIA arkitans ONLY
n'
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?-;
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PORT OF COLOMBO
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR 1949
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CEYLON
PART I?CIVIL (D)
Administration Report of the Chairman,
Colombo Port Commission,
for 1949
(Lt.-Col. P. A. J. HERNU, M.Inst.T.)
JUNE, 1950
Printed on the Orders of Government
Printed at the
CEYLON GOVERNMENT PRESS
To be purchased at the
GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS BUREAU, COLOMBO
Price: 90 cents
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" Copy " received: May 31, 1950.
Proof sent: June 16, 1950.
Proof returned: June 19, 1950.
Published : June 27, 1950.
1--J. A 9823:-872c5150)
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COLOMBO PORT COMMISSION
ADMINISTRATION REPORT, 1949
A.?GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
THE continued rise in the trade of the Port added considerably to the work of
the department during the year. It is becoming more and more difficult for the
General Administration and Technical Services of the department to cope with
the ever-increasing volume of work as the trade of the Port increases. Increases
in staff are already of vital necessity in order to maintain efficiency.
The added commitments in administering the Port, which will have to be
assumed by the department when the new Port Act becomes law, bring to a
head an unsatisfactory state of affairs that has existed ever since the Colombo
Port Commission took over responsibility for the administration of the Port
from the Customs in 1942, when Defence Regulations were introduced.
The technical nature of the work of the General Aaministration of the Port,
coupled with the fact that the Port works 365 days in the year, necessitate a
completely changed outlook in the methods of staff recruitment and conditions
of work of the clerical staff. In any Port of this magnitude, it should be obvious
to anyone even without a detailed knowledge of Port Operation and Adminis-
tration, that it could not be run efficiently if its administrative services were to
enjoy a large number of statutory holidays annually, quite apart from Sundays
arid 4-6 weeks normal leave. Neither could it be denied that experience in ships
and matters shipping is a very necessary requirement in staff employed by a
Port Authority. Yet it may surprise many people to know that in Colombo
the Port closes down administratively for 77 days in the year, except for a
skeleton staff, and that the clerical staff is indiscriminately interchanged with
other Government Departments.
Port Administration work is as highly specialised as that of the Railway,
Customs and the Post and Telegraph Departments and nobody would dream
of transferring clerical staff between these three departments for obvious reasons.
If the Port of Colombo is to be efficiently run under the new Port Act, it is of
vital importance that it should have a closed " service and the conditions
of service should be similar to that of the Customs with whom, naturally,
the Port Commission works side by side in the Port.
I. Port Development
In March the Chairman proceeded on a tour of Far Eastern, American, Bri-
tish and Continental Ports for the purpose of studying quay and pier lay-out,
warehousing, mechanical plant and other aspects of handling cargo in modern
ports in connection with the Port Development Plans for Colombo. Much use-
ful information was thereby obtained and an Interim Report has already been
made to the Hon. the Minister of Transport and Works on the 23 Ports which
were visited. A further report is being prepared, which will bring out the tech-
nical aspects of the subjects which were studied and recommendations made
under the various heads 4pplicable to the plans for providing alongside berthing
for ships in Colombo.
After four years of solid work, the end of the year under review saw the
completion of the final preliminaries for the commencement of the development
of the Port, which was initiated in January, 1946. The Contract Documents
were completed in November and were taken up by 17 Firms of Contracting
Engineers of world-wide repute and previously approved by our Consulting
Engineers. The closing date for tenders has been fixed for April 21, 1950.
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D 4 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPOTS FOR 1949 [PART I:
II. Port Administration
The preparation of the Port of Colombo (Administration) Act has now been
completed and it is probable that it will receive Assent early in the new year.
This legislative meastTre will place the administration of the Port in the hands
of the Port Authority, instead of the Customs, and will bring to an end, after
a period of over 70 years, a curious and, probably, unique method of Port
Administration. It will now be possible, with the new legislation, to carry out
the normal tasks of a Port Authority, namely, the provision of modern Port
facilities for the , retention of existing trade and for seeking other ways and
means of developing and encouraging new trade to the Port.
Many people overlook the fact that a Port is essentially a commercial under-
taking and, as such, it must make every effort to retain its customers and ta
attract new ones. On its success, or otherwise, depends the degree of prosperity
of the City in general and the Port business community in particular, be they
Agents of Shipping Lines, Importers, Exporters or other Undertakings engaged
in cargo handling, engineering, ship chandling activities, etc. In other words,
if the Port is efficiently administered, as it can be under the new legislation,
the benefits which will accrue will go not only to the Port community and the
City, but it will also be felt by the country in general.
III. Port Operation
During the year under review, the trade of the' Port continued the upward
trend which commenced in 1947. There was an increase of 21 per cent. in
the number of ocean-going ships which called at the Port. The supply of oil
bunkers and of water to ships showed satisfactory 'increases, viz., 52 per cent.
end 33 per cent. respectively, compared with the figures for 1948. The
passenger traffic of the Port also increased considerably. A total of 286,148
passengers passed through Colombo in 1949, an increase of 88 per cent. over
the figures for 1948. Statistics relating to the :trade of the Port appear in the
Appendices to this Report and they all go to show that 1949 has been a very
satisfactory year.
The services and facilities of the Port continued to be maintained satisfactorily,
notwithstanding the serious shortage of technical staff. It must be recorded that
had it not been for the fact that existing staff have shown a very high sense
of duty in carrying on under very difficult circumstances, I think that certain
services would have had to be curtailed and even suspended.
Generally speaking, there was an absence of labour disputes amongst com-
mercial labour in the Port. The only manifestations of unrest in the harbour
took place in November, when stevedore labour refused to work ships at night.
The reason for this was that the workers took exception to the fact that their
overtime earnings were taken into account in computation of their monthly
minimum wage. Although this was in accordance with the provisions of the
Wages Board Ordinance, a compromise was reached and the men resumed work
shortly after Christmas.
IV. Finance
The Revenue of the department during the financial year 1948-49 amounted
to Rs. 13,685,312, which was an increase of about 37 lakhs of rupees over the
previous year. This increase was mainly due to two factors.?
(1) the surcharge of 60 per cent. on the Colombo Port Commission rates
to cover expenditure on cost of living allowance; and
(2) general inCrease in shipping and improvement of trade.
The surcharge of 60 per cent, became effective from July 28', NV,, on all
charges except on Port dues, Harbour dues and Warehouse rent. It was unfortu-
nate that the necessary authority to increase these charges was. delayed and,
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CIVIL] COLOMBO PORT COMMISSION D 5
further, had to await gazetting under the Customs Ordinance. They were finally
introduced on March 29, 1949, so that the revenue of the department only
benefited by these increased charges for six months of the financial year.
The expenditure for the financial year 1948-49 amounted to Rs. 11,721,531.
Compared with expenditure, the revenue earned by the department during this
period was Rs. 13,685,312, resulting in a surplus of nearly twenty lakhs of
rupees.
Considerable economies were effected during the year by cuts in overtime
expenditure. This accounts for the downward trend of expenditure in 1948-49
in Recurrent Votes, although there was an increase of expenditure on Special
Items. All items of expenditure continue to be carefully watched and when-
ever possible, reduced, providing, of course, that it does not affect efficiency
or the provision of Port facilities.
Although the financial situation of the department has been much improved,
the work of the revision of charges for Port facilities continues and it is hoped
that a completely revised and simplified Booklet of Charges will be available
to the public early in 1950.
Appendix " A " gives the figures of Revenue and Expenditure for the past
nine years and the estimated Revenue and Expenditure for 1949-50. Further
details are given in Appendix " B ".
IL General
Due to the shortage of technical staff, it was impossible to complete within
the year, as originally planned, the equipment for the mechanical handling of
coal. Under normal staff conditions, the department would have itself built
the two new 1,000-ton capacity coconut oil storage tanks, which brings the
storage capacity of the Port for this commodity to 4,760 tons. Due, however, to
shortage of staff this work, as well as the completion of the coal handling equip-
ment, had to be given out to a Firm of private contractors.
The construction of a further 87 houses on the department's Housing Estate
at Bloemendhal was completed by the end of the year and this brought to a
total of 117 the number of houses built to date.
During the absence of the Chairman who was away on leave out of the Island
for nine months, Mr. D. R. Rutnam, 0.B.E., B.A. (Cantab), I.C.S., (Retd.) acted
in that capacity.
13.?DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
I. Secretary
In order to fill vacancies in the ranks of technical officers, advertisements were
published in U.K., India and Australia. The response to these advertisements
is being eagerly awaited, as this department finds it increasingly difficult to
function efficiently with so many posts unfilled. It will? also reveal whether the
revised salaries are sufficiently attractive to persuade Engineers to apply.
The salaries of technical officers, a long standing problem, was at last settled,
though not quite satisfactorily, by revised salary scales being given to technical
officers of this department for the posts of Engineers, Pilots and Masters of
Tugs.
An inquiry into allegations of bribery was held by the Hon. Mr. A. E.
Goonesinha, Minister Without Portfolio, with the approval of the Hon. the
Minister of Transport and Works. Employees were given every facility to make
their complaints direct to the Hon. Mr. Goonesinha, who had access to the
relevant files in this office. The result, however, was the same as that arrived
at after the inquiry carried out by Mr. C. E. P. Jayasuriya, C.C.S., in 1946.
No case of bribery could be proved.
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D 6 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOR 1949 [liAaT I
On the instructions of the Chairman, the revision of the charges of this
department for the use of Port facilities, commenced in 1948, is continuing, as in
many cases the existing charges, which were fixed long ago, are insufficient
to cover the cost .of operating these facilities today.
(a) Colombo PM Commission Subordinate Officers' Scheme.?The proposal for
the introduction of a closed service of technical and clerical officers for this de-
partment has been postponed by the Treasury, who wish the matter brought
up before the 1951 Salaries Commission. This delay is unfortunate, because
the need for a non-transferable service in a technical department like the Port
Commission, is pressing and will be a vital necessity when the new Port
Administration Bill becomes law.
(b) Office Re-organisation and Welfare.?The division of the Port Control De-
partment into Traffic and Labour Departments took place with effect from
February 1. The two new departments were moved from the Passenger Jetty
building to the Head Office, which had been re-organized and re-furnished ta
make space for them.
This department led the way in an anti-Tuberculosis drive. The B.C.G. test
was carried out on all its officers by a team of experts from Scandinavia, through
the co-operation of the Medical Department.
(e) Sit/ff.?On Capt. G. C. Harper, R.N. (Retd.), assuming duties as Master
Attendant in July, it was decided by the Ministry that the post of Deputy
Master Attendant should remain temporarily unfilled, as an experiment, and:
that the Master Attendant should have an Administrative Assistant to help him
instead. The experiment is being carried out, but it is evident that it will not
be a success. Two fully qualified Navigational Officers are required in thig
department, and the post of Deputy Master Attendant must be restored.
During the course of the year, two Welfare Officers were appointed. There,
will be much work for them to do in the workshops and elsewhere. Further-
more, this department now has, apart from a large number of quarters for itg
personnel on other sites, a fairly considerable Housino. Estate at Bloemendhal,
which is expanding every year. The assistance which b the Welfare Officers can
give in these concentrated centres of workers and their families will be
invaluable.
(d) Meetings
(i) Colombo Port Commission.?Six Port Commission meetings were held
during the year with an average attendance of twelve members out of a possible
fifteen.
(ii) Port Development Advisory Sub-Committee.?Only one meeting was held
during the year and that was on November 7, when Mr. R. I). Gwyther, Partner
of the Firm of Consulting Engineers, Messrs. Goode, Vaughan-Lee, Frank &
Gwyther, was present.
(iii) Publications.?The Port of Colombo Quarterly Review, which was created
by our Chairman, .continued to improve in quality and earned commendation and
praise from Port Authorities and Firms throughout the world. The number of
Advertisers is many and there is every indication that the publication will be a,
financial success.
(e) Administrative Changes :?
(Staff and TeChnical Officers in higher posts.)
(i) Appointments
Capt. G. C. Harper, R.N. (Retd.), Master Attendant.
Mr. D. W. Mason, Assistant Docking and Slipping Master.
Mr. C. F. Francis, Assistant Docking and Slipping Master.
Mr. K. J. 'Dyson, 1st Engineer, Tugs.
Mr. W. H. D. Perera, Traffic Manager (consequent on closing down of
the Port Control Department).
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eival COLQMBO EORT COMMISSION
Mr. B. D. H. J. Silva, Labour Manager (on study leave in -U.K.
during 1949).
Mr. G. B. A. Ratnayake, Assistant Traffic Manager (consequent on
closing down of the Port Control Department).
(ii) Acting Appointments
Mr. D. R. Rutnam, 0.B.E., I.C.S. (Retd.), Acting Chairman, March
12 to December 7, during the absence on leave out of the Island
of Lt.-Col. Hernu, Chairman.
Mr. E. N. E. Wakefield, Pilot, as Acting Master Attendant, March 25
to July 10, in addition to duties as Acting Deputy Master Atten-
dant. (During this period, on Ministry instructions, Mr. W.
R. Q. A. Fernando, an officer in E. C. C. Gr. II, was deputed
to assist Mr. Wakefield).
Mr. E. C. de Alwis, Assistant Harbour Engineer (Buildings) as Chief
Assistant Harbour Engineer with effect from November 29.
Mr. 0. J. J. Watson, Assistant Harbour Engineer, as Assistant Harbour
Engineer (Buildings) with effect from November 29.
Mr. C. W. V. Ferdinands, Additional Facilities Officer as Deputy Mecha-
nical Superintending Engineer with effect from November 25.
Mr. J. Knox Brown, Mechanical Foreman, as Deputy Mechanical
Superintending Engineer with effect from March 23 to October 12.
Mr. B. V. Ratnayake, Labour Inspector, who was acting as Chief
Assistant Port Controller in the former Port Control Depart-
ment, continued to act as Labour Manager during the period the
Labour Manager, Mr. B. D. H. J. Silva, was on study leave in
U.K.
Mr. G. B. A. Ratnayake, Assistant Traffic Manager, as Traffic Manager
with effect from October 19.
(iii) Promotions
Mr. M. Namasivayam, Class IV to Class III of the Accountants'
Service.
Mr. A. Normandale, 1st Master (Foreign-Going) to Pilot.
Mr. A. S. Pike, 2nd Master (Foreign-Going) to Pilot.
Mr. T. J. Mason, 1st Assistant Docking and Slipping Master to Docking
and Slipping Master.
(iv) Retirements
Mr. T. Sivaprakasapillai, Chief Assistant Harbour Engineer.
Mr. E. St. J. Holt, Diver.
(v) Leave
Lt.-Col. P. A. J. Hernu, Chairman. Duty-cum-holiday leave from
March 12 to December 7.
Mr. E. N. E. Wakefield, Pilot. Nine months leave in U.K. from
December 1.
Mr. F. G. Sharp, Pilot. Seven months leave in U.K. from November 14.
Mr. C. W. V. Ferdinands, Additional Facilities Officer, leave from March
23 to October 12.
Mr. G- E. Hendrie, 1st Engineer, Dredger, six months leave in U.K.
from July 11.
(vi) Resignations
Mr. D. W. Mason, Assistant Docking and Slipping Master.
Mr. E. C. Armstrong, 2nd Engineer, Tugs.
Mr. W. H. D. Perera, Traffic Manager.
(vii) Transfers
Mr. D. R. C. de Alwis, Electrical Engineer.
(viii) Deaths
Commander D. C. G. Neisb, R.N. (Retd.), Master Attendant.
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D 8 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION ? REPORTS FOR. 1949 [PART I
This department sustained a big loss with the death of Commander Neish on
March 25, 1949. Commander Neish, who assumed duties as Deputy Master
Attendant in 1937, very capably handled the additional responsibilities thrust
upon this department during the war after he was appointed Master Attendant
on November 15; 1939. Double berthing and triple berthing of ships were
organised by him with the result that this Port was able to cope with the large
convoys of ships that called here. He was also the Chief Examining Officer and
was awarded the O.B.E.. in recognition of his good work. Commander Neish
was very popular in the department and his untimely death is deplored by
everybody.
II. Master Attendant
After the death of the late Master Attendant, Commander D. C. G.
Neish, RN. (Retd.), ().B.F.'., Mr. E. N. E. Wakefield was appointed to act as
Master Attendant, in addition to occupying the post of Acting Deputy Master
Attendant. Whilst he was acting in these two posts, on Ministry instructions,
Mr. W. R. Q. A. Fernando (Head of the Establishment Branch) was appointed to
assist Mr. Wakefield in administrative matters.
Capt. G. C. Harper, R.N. (Retd.) assumed duties as Master Attendant and
Deputy Superintendent of Coastlights on July 11. Within a week of his arrival
he visited the Outports and all the Coastlights of the Island and made certain
suggestions for improvements. For want of a Deputy Master Attendant?that
post having been Suppressed shortly after his assumption of duties?the Master
Attendant has not been able to make any inspections subsequently to ensure that
his proposals for improvement have been carried out in the most efficient manner
possible.
The personnel attached to this section of the department worked satisfactorily
during the year. Overtime was rigidly cut and reduced to a minimum, but in
operational service, where employees work in shifts of 24 hours and 12 hours,
overtime can only be reduced when Treasury approves the proposals put forward
to bring in an additional shift in the Tugs, operational launches and boats.
(a) Shipping.?The upward trend registered in the post-war period in the total
number of ships calling at Colombo was maintained during the year. Figures
for 1949 and the preceding year are given below:
Naval vessels 156 137
Merchant vessels ... 2,065 2,493
Transports and Hospital ships 15 91
Sailing craft ... 377 374
1948 . 1949 .
Total
2,613 3,095
The nett tonnages of the merchant vessels, hired transports and the single
Hospital Ship which entered Colombo during the year were 11,045,179; 698,134
and 4,205 respectively, amounting to a total of 11,747,518 tons, which is well
over the total for the previous year, viz., 8,787,917 tons. In addition, the total
displacement of naval vessels which called at Colombo in 1949 was 820,326 tons
as against 659,965 tons in 1948. Of the ships that called at this Port, 2,301
were oil burners, 410 were coal fired and 10 used both coal and oil. Appendix
" C " refers.
(i) Length and number of vessels berthed.?(Exclusive of Naval vessels).
62 vessels over 600 feet.
52 vessels between 550 and 600 feet.
272 vessels between 500 and 550 feet.
736 vessels between 450 and 500 feet.
1,003 vessels between 400 and 450 feet.
459 vessels under 400 feet.
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CIVIL COLQAIB0 PORT COMMISSION D 9
(ii) Alongside berths in the Port were utilised as indicated below. In com-
paring the figures for 1949 with those for the preceding year, a considerable
increase in the use of alongside berthing facilities provided by the Port is
noted:
1948
1949
Guide Pier
63
123
Discharge Jetty
42
60
Oil Bunkering Jetty
31
67
Delft Quay
1
42
137
292
?
Appendix "D " refers.
(iii) Details of the occupation of the Graving Docks and the Slipways during
The year are given below, together with the figures for 1948:?
Facility used
No. of vessels
No.. of ships days
I n occupation
1948
1949
1948
1949
Inner Dock
15
11
245
618
Outer Dock
46
46
253
366
Patent Slipway
40
42
263
411
Barge Slipway ...
9
6
92
31
Breakwater Slipway ..,
13
14
?
112
Block Jetty Slipway ...
25
19
?
98
Two very interesting dockings were carried out when the m.v. " Thalatta
and the s.s. " Jagdamba " were dry-docked for examination and repairs. Both
-vessels had had the misfortune to run ashore damaging and holing their bottom
plating and heels severely. The damage was so great that special precautions
had to be taken when dry-docking them. It was particularly so in the case of
the " Thalatta " when it was discovered that one third of the length of the
vessel was not touching the blocks when she was supposed to be down fore and
aft. It took two Dress Divers, working at high pressure, 4 days to pack up the
-vacant space between the keel blocks and what remained of the keel, before
The dock could be pumped dry.
The largest vessel to enter the Graving Dock during the year other than H.M.S.
Mauritius " was the Tanker " Alfred Clegg ".
Appendix " E " gives further details of the Docks and Slipways.
(b) Pilotage Service.?No accidents worthy of mention occurred during the
year and the berthing of ships was carried out by our Pilots with the traditional
efficiency of the Colombo Pilot Service.
(c) Craft Building and Repair.?The construction work taken in hand during
the year included hulls for a new mooring boat for the Assistant Master Attendant
at Galle and for the new Police launch, and the building of one of two 30-ft.
lowboats for the Imperial Lighthouse Service. A flat-bottomed boat was built
and handed over to the Irrigation Department and a rowboat was also built
and despatched to the Assistant Master Attendant at Galle.
Launches and boats belonging to the Police, Customs and Fisheries
Departments and to the Port Health Officer were slipped, cleaned, repaired,
painted whenever necessary, and maintained in service throuhout the year. The
department also carried out work on Customs and Police launches at Trincomalee.
The Trawlers " Raglan Castle " and " Halpha - of the Fisheries Department
were also slipped and had their bottoms cleaned and painted. In addition,
maintenance work on these vessels was carried out during the year.
Besides the work referred to above, the Port Fire Brigade Firefloat " Phoenix "
underwent maintenance repairs periodically.
(d) Port Fire Brigade.?During the year under review, the Port Fire Brigade
answered fire calls on 12 occasions. The services of the Brigade were also utilised
for fire-protection duties on 150 occasions, when the movement of dangerous
cargoes was involved. The total number of such calls in 1948 was only 62. In
view of this steep rise, it may not be possible to cope with demands in the
future with the present cadre of personnel and equipment, if the services of the
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D 10 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOR 1949 [PART I
Brigade are called upon by several parties at the some time. In addition, the
Brigade also carried out salvage work, which forms part of their duties anct
9 calls were answered to pump out water from damaged or sinking craft..
Regular inspections and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment, ashore and afloat,
were made by this unit.
Apart from the, miscellaneous duties referred to above, the washing of ware-
houses, pumping operations at McCallum Locks, &c., were carried out.
The Port Fire Brigade personnel are now being trained in life-saving methods.
by a qualified Instructor from the Police Department.
(e) Coastlights.The Ceylon Coastlights were maintained in good order during
the year. All Coastlights were visited by the Deputy Superintendent (Master
Attendant) during July and August. This inspection disclosed the very bad and
neglected condition of the lightkeepers' quarters at Foul- Point. Work ? in.
connection with the alteration of the Jaffna Obelisk was completed and the?
automatic light previously removed from the Hambantota light was installed in.
it and exposed on October 20. As a number of thefts had occurred at the Round.
Island Lighthouse, steps were taken to fit two strong iron doors to prevent
further thefts.
(f) Galle Harbour.?The number of ships calling at Guile showed a considerable
increase on the figures for the previous year. A total of 41 merchant ships with,
an aggregate nett tonnage of 158,422 entered and cleared the Port as against.
36 vessels in 1948 with a nett tonnage of 136,672. This increase is due partially
to the Food Department having diverted a few shipments of rice and flour to that
Port. The handling of these cargoes in Guile has been extremely expeditious,.
as borne out by the fact that 16,908 bags or 1,056 tons of flour were discharged
in 10 hours from the s.s. " Pacific Ranger " on December 30.
The surface of No. 1 Jetty was satisfactorily repaired. Slow and spasmodic
progress, however, has been made with regard to the renewal of fenders on three
other jetties, but it is hoped that this work will be taken in hand for completiont
by the P. W. D. early in 1950.
The obsolete crane on No. 2 Jetty was removed and the cranes on No. 3 jetty
were repaired. It is hoped that an additional crane at the root of No. 3 Jetty
will shortly be made available to shippers of coconut oil.
The need for the proposed new Jetty for the Assistant Master Attendant's,
gear is as urgent as ever, but no action was taken by the P. W. D. in this matter'
during 1949.
Although provision was made for dredging operations to be carried out along-
side the Jetties, this work was not resumed since operations were suspended at
the beginning of March 1948, owing to lack of funds. This has resulted in a)
considerable amount of silting having occurred since then.
The south-west monsoon was severely felt in the harbour and it so happened'
that there was always a vessel in harbour during the worst periods, in consequence
of which wear and :tear of the moorings has been considerable.
III. Harbour Engineer
The year under review was one of increasing demand for Port facilities. This:
is borne out by the fact that statistics disclose that black oil discharge had
increased by 55 per cent., crane usage by 20 per cent. and petrol imports by
30 per cent. Rail traffic also showed some increase. It must be stated, however,
that all this additional work was carried out without any more assistance as
regards staff on the mechanical engineering side than the recruitment of three
foremen, without whom it would have been impossible to cope with the increase of
work. It is considered that it will only be possible to increase the mechanisation
of this department; providing that more men of the type mentioned above can
be recruited.
Due to further retirements, it was necessary to promote staff before they were
fully fitted to undertake the increased responsibilities entrusted to them, but
generally speaking, those so promoted have discharged their duties satisfactorily..
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Civil] ? COLQMBO PORT COMMISSION D 11
It is worthy of note that the first Ceylonese apprentice diver has been engaged
in diving operations during the year.
A very considerable amount of time and trouble was taken in order to investi-
gate grievances whenever expressed by the men and to put them to right. Two,
full-time welfare officers were engaged on this work, besides a Welfare Committee,
which functioned throughout the year. During this period, the question of
increasing rates of pay was brought up by the men at these meetings and there
was undoubted disappointment on their part when it was realised that this.
department w?as not in a position to do anything about it.
The important matter of bribery was looked into, but, as usual, nothing could
be proved, though a very serious amount of time was lost by staff officers in
investigating complaints.
Time clocks were installed in the workshops and the new system appears to be
working satisfactorily.
There was an increase in the number of accidents in the workshops. In 1948'
there were 2,687 accidents and this number had increased to 2,945 in 1949. In
an effort to reduce avoidable accidents, it is proposed to circulate safety first
literature in the workshops and to start a Safety First Campaign, with the aid of
posters. It is gratifying to note that the average pumber of men reporting
sick daily was 50.2 as against 56.14 in 1948.
1. HARBOUR MAINTENANCE
(a) Dredging.?Dredging operations were resumed during the year, after a.
break of 1 year and 9 months, in the Guide Pier, Delft Canal and No. 1 berths.
and the Discharge and Outer bunkering Jetties. The total quantity dredged was:
71,150 cubic yards of mud and sand. Inshore dredging was also carried out in
the barge repairing basin, off the water meters at the root of the south-west
breakwator and the extension arm. The dredger, " Sir William Mathews " was.
occupied during the year as follows :?
Dredging operations
Days.
115
Maintenance work
38.
Coaling and mooring operations
17
Docking and major overhauls
69
Laying up due to lack of staff
78
Sundays and holidays when no work was carried out ...
48
Total ...
365
(b) Rock Removal ?Further quantities of rock were removed from the Guide
Pier berth in order to make the depth of water 33 feet at mean low water spring
tides.
(c) Quays and Jetties.?The reconstruction of Pettah No. 2 Jetty and coaling
Jetty No. 10, in whicn the old timber decks and beams were replaced with
concrete, was completed. Repairs were carried out to coaling Jetties No. 1
and No. 2 with the use of the gunite machine (i.e., cement gun), as the concrete
beams were found to be badly damaged through corrosion of the reinforcement.
The concrete surface of Baghdad Jetty No. 3 was repaired, as well as the fenders.
of various other quays and jetties, which were attended to as a routine measure.
The reconstruction of Kochchikade Jetty No. 1 was commenced during the year,
besides the casting of concrete blocks for the rebuilding of the Graving Dock
Dolphin.
(d) Buoys and Moorings.?A considerable amount of attention was given to
work in connection with the maintenance of buoys and moorings. It was found
on inspection that the piles of moorings No. 22 and No. 23 were pulled and these
were, therefore, taken up and relaid in new positions. To permit dredging
operations mooring No. 1 was also pulled out and replaced, and moorings, No. 6
and No. 57 were completely renewed. Mooring No. 39 was changed from " A "
type to " B " type. It was also found necessary to c,hange the pendant chains
and buoys of moorings Nos. 2, 7, 11, 14, 17, 25, 28, 29, 39, 40, 47, 48; 49, 53,
SS 2, SS 3, D 1, D 2, D 3, D 4 and TB 5. The work carried out in this,
connection, involved the changing of the buoys of thirty main moorings.
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D 12 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOR 1949 [PAT I
The " Onagalla " Buoy and the "Hardingham " Wreck Buoy, which are
'situated out of the harbour, were renewed and several sunken craft lifted.
(e) Watching.?The general patrolling staff detected 55 cases of theft and also
investigated 233 miscellaneous cases of assault, abuse, &c., which resulted in 26
cases of theft and 124 miscellaneous cases being proved and convictions obtained.
During the year, the patrolling staff was strengthened by the recruitment of
3 Assistant Patrolling Officers.
(P Harbour Surveys and Soundings.?Routine sweepings were carried out for
clearing obstructions and for bringing up-to-date the contours of the harbour. A
number of berths that had been dredged were swept and inshore soundings were
taken in the harbour, as well as in the Beira Lake. The mouth of the Kelani
River was surveyed monthly.
Further, weekly measurements of the work done by workers under the
Unemployment Scheme were carried out.
2. OIL FACILITIES
There was greater use made of the Common Facilities Oil Scheme for
-discharging oil imports in 1949 than in the preceding year. The figures returned
showed an increase of 55 per cent. and 32 per cent, in regard to the number of
black oil tankers and white oil tankers respectively which made use of this
facility to discharge their cargoes. It was found necessary, in view of this
increase and the fact that the old 10" diameter pipe line required to be- renewed,
to make provision in the Estimates for 1950/51 for a new 14" diameter pipeline
to be laid from the Port premises to the Oil Installation Depot at Kolonnawa.
No major works or improvements were carried out during the year under
review, except that one span of the Ceylon Government Railway bridge at Naga-
lingarn Street was removed and the pipelines laid on concrete piers.
comparative statement of the oil discharged and pumped to the Kolonnawa
Oil Depot during 1948 and 1949 is given below.
1948 1949
53 Black Oil Tankers discharged:? 70 Black Oil Tankers discharged:?
. Fuel Oil ... ... 344,027 tons Fuel Oil ... ... 587,482 tons
Diesel Oil ... ... 113,367 ? Diesel Oil ... ... 121,191 ?
Total ... 457,394 tons Total ... 708,673 tons
10 White Oil Tankers discharged:? 20 White Oil Tankers discharged:?
Benzine ... 64,386 tons Benzine ... 83,971 tons
Kerosine ... 32,315 ? Kerosine ... 45,468 ?
Gas Oil ... ... 11,817 ? Gas Oil ... ... 21,175 ?
Aviation Spirit ... 7,858 ? Aviation Spirit ... 3,404 ?
Total ... 116,375 tons Total ... 154,018 tons
The following is a statement of the transfers of oil from Kolonnawa?
(i) to Bloemendhal-1948
1949
... 205,307 tons
... 40,656 ?
Fuel Oil ...
Diesel Oil ...
Gas Oil ...
Fuel Oil ...
Diesel Oil ...
Gas Oil ...
... 284,609 toms
... 57,514 ,
4,893
Total ... 245,963 tons Total ... 341,016 tons
(ii) to Stanley Power Station?
Fuel Oil ... ... 19,926 tons
Fuel Oil ... ... 21,945 tons
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Civih] COLOMBO PORT COMMISSION
3. BULK COCONUT OIL SCHEME
Two new additional 1,000-ton capacity storage tanks were constructed at Sum-
mer Hill and were officially opened by the Hon. the Prime Minister, The
Coconut Oil Pipeline was further extended to the Discharge Jetty to enable
ships to load coconut oil at that Jetty, so that two loading points are now avail-
able to shippers. The total quantity of coconut oil shipped during the year
amounted to 55,078 tons and it is very creditable to record that there was only
a loss of 3 tons on the the total tonnage handled. The tonnage handled, however,
is very disappointing compared with the present large storage capacity of the
which exceeds 4,700 tons.
4. RAILWAY
(a) Traffic.?The number of wagons handled during the year was 62,538 as
against 63,680 in 1948. The number of metal trains run between the Mahara
Quarries and the Port showed an increase in that a total of 150 trains were run
in 1949 compared with 132 in 1948.
(b) Rolling Stock.?There was an improvement regarding the supplies of
rails, but the shortage of timber sleepers continued to be experienced and to.
off-set this shortage, 1,100 concrete sleepers were made. 110 second hand and
17 new rails and 750 creosoted timber sleepers were received from the Railway
and this quantity was further supplemented by the receipt of 157 rejected sleepers
from the Forest Department,
Additions to the permanent way were made by the laying down of two new
spur sidings, one 250 feet long to the Log Saw and the other, a double spur 400:
feet long, to the new warehouses at the Coal Grounds.
For the use of the maintenance of tracks and new works, 208 rails, 1,254
concrete sleepers and 1,200 timber sleepers were used.
5. MECHANICAL SECTION
The workshops were fully employed throughout the year on maintenance
work carried out on the mechanical facilities of the Port. A considerable amount
of fabrication work was turned out in the workshops and in addition a large
repair programme was carried out, which included repairs to railway wagons.
warehouse doors, cranes, buoys, slipways, jetties, mooring chains, grabs, railway
turnouts and crossings, tugs and the dredger. In this connection, particular
mention should be made with regard to S/T " Hercules " which had the boiler
furnaces 'jacked into their original positions and 6 suspension rings fitted.
The workshops also completed a 100-ton capacity water boat which was put
into commission.
The following were added to existing plant, machinery and vehicles during the
year:--
One electrically driven saw and a bench.
One trenching machine.
One Diesel driven pump.
One counter sinking machine.
One guniting machine.
One hydraulic press for the boiler shop.
One echo sounder.
One safe load indicator for cranes..
One grinder.
One coil winding machine.
Two baggage lifts for Passenger jetty building.
Four motor lorries, and
Two generator sets for the electric welding plant.
The workshops also turned out steel frame work for the B. 1 Warehouse, six,
barrier gates and the Motor Lorry Service Station. Output also included a large
amount of guttering, pipes, roof trusses, stanchions, &c.
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D 14 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOB 1949 [PART
Chain. Testing.4-An increase in the number of tests carried out during 1949
was registered coMpared with the previous year. A total of 1,163 tests were
carried out in 1949 as against 699 in the preceding year. Of the tests made,
596 were on account of private companies and the Admiralty.
B. BEIRA LAKE ,
(a) Dredgirg.---Approximately 1,800 cubes of mud were dredged in the
South-West Lake 4nd used for the reclamation of land round the lake.
In addition to this, work in connection with the slabbing of the lake verges
with concrete slabs was continued during the year. It was found necessary to
have the sides of a large drain entering the south-west lake supported by sheet
piling to prevent scour occurring during heavy rain storms.
(h) Traffic.?The following are the figures of the traffic handled through the
Lake to Harbour Canal, which may be compared with the figures for 1948
1948
1949
Lighters
8,046
8,725
Motor Launches ...
1,909
1,707
Steam Launches ...
7
18
Other craft
361
225
Total ... 10,323 10,675
7. ROADS AND BIJILDINGS
(a) Roads.?The maintenance of tarmac and sett-paved roads within the
harbour premises and the Kolonnawa Oil Depot was carried out throughout the
,vear.
(b) Buildings.?The Building Section was engaged on the following new
works :?
Delft Mess Room.
Boiler Shop Boutique.
Garage for No. 2 Hill House.
Tecafemit Hoist Shed.
Spare parts store for Fitting Shop.
Conversion of 'Hamilton hangars into warehouses.
New Office for Charges Officer.
Goat Pen.
Re-roofing of " B ?' Block of Chalmers Granaries.
Sewers at Elie House bungalows.
Room accommodation tor welfare amenities for C.G.R. personnel at
Chalmers Granaries.
Extensions to ,Fumignation office, Electrical Engineer's workshop and the
loco shed, and Quarters for Overseers, Artisans and labourers at the
Kolonnawa Oil Depot.
In addition to this, maintenance work and renovations were effected in respect
of offices, mess rooms, bungalows, overseers', labourers' and artisans' quarters,
warehouses, stores, lavatories and boutiques.
The Building Section also carried out a large programme under minor works
and improvements and this included the Labour Registration Office, the lower
deck of the Passenger Jetty, Clerks' Mess Rooms, Customs Offices and the Board
Room.
The close of the year saw the completion of a large number of houses for
departmental employees. They comprised?
, 4 Overseers' Quarters,
26 Artisans' Quarters,
52 Labourers' Quarters; and
5 Bungalows
which were erected at Kotahena, Bloemendhal, Kolonnawa Oil Depot and De
Saram Place, Mutwal. The department purchased two aluminium houses, which
were erected at Bloemendhal. There have been no serious complaints from their
occupants, but it would appear that brick houses are preferred, if available.
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CIVIL 1 COLOAIBO PORT COMMISSION 15
8. MAHARA QUARRIES
With the completion of the programme of casting concrete blocks for work
under the Port Development Scheme, it was found necessary to transfer some 60
men from the Quarries to the harbour area. Production figures for the year
were as follows :-
778 cubes of ton rubble.
4,096 cubes of 9" rubble.
Of the 4,096 cubes of 9" rubble, 3,030 cubes were issued to the breakers and
they produced 2,472 cubes of metal. Issues made during the year amounted
to-----
756 cubes of )2- ton rubble.
2,070 cubes of 9" rubble.
3,498 cubes of metal.
The practice of employing Unemployed Relief workers to remove overburden
from the new quarry was continued. In addition to these workers, approximately
800 prisoners were employed throughout the year.
`0. ST. JOHN'S STORE
Since the Stores were re-organised and bins obtained, there was found to be
a general improvement in all aspects of storekeeping. A new feature has been
the issuing of priced duplicate vouchers to all Stores Indenting Officers.
10. LOAN FUND EXPENDITURE
The casting of concrete blocks for 550 feet of the North-East Breakwater
Quay (i.e., half its length) has been completed.
11. MECHANICAL COAL HANDLING PLANT
Two coal hoppers were built during the year and further additions to equip-
ment were made when delivery was taken of 16 chase side dumpers and 4 Neal
Grabbing Cranes. This equipment was further supplemented when 10 skips were
made and the alterations necessary for the mechanical handling of coal were
effected to the Floating Crane " Giraffe ".
12. EXTENSION TO SOUTH JETTY, Murwm,
Due to the encountering of bad foundation conditions necessitating alterations
in design, the last portion of the Jetty has not yet been completed.
13. FISHERY HARBOUR
A Target Store and a Slipway were constructed at Fishery Harbour to replace
these facilities which will be demolished when the North-East Breakwater Quay
is built.
During the year, the engineering section carried out various other under-
takings. One example was the supervision of the construction of two 1,000-ton
capacity tanks for the bulk coconut oil installation built by Messrs. Walker,
Sons & Co., Ltd. Attention was also given to the hydraulic aspects of the
proposed North-East Breakwater Quay and the Oil Dock. After close investi-
gation, the shape of the end of the North-East Breakwater Quay was re-
designed and modified after the results of the tests carried out had been studied.
IV. Traffic Department
The division of the Port Control Department took effect on February 1,
when the Traffic Section was separated from the Labour Section.
During the absence of Mr. W. H. D. Perera on sick leave from February 14,
Mr. G. B. A. Ratnayake was appointed to act as Traffic Manager in addition
to his own duties, and later when Mr. Perera resigned from the Public Service
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D 16 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOR 1949 [PART 1
with effect from October 19, he was appointed to act as Traffic Manager. Mr.
E. D. L'Almont, Traffic Superintendent, was appointed to act as Assistant
Traffic Hanager in succession to Mr. Ratnayake.
(a) Traffic.?An increase of 28 per cent. over the previous year was reflected
in the tonnage of cargo handled through the Port. While in 1948, 1,124 vessels
brought in 1,242,759 tons of cargo, during the year under review 1,444 vessels.
brought in 1,347,330 tons.
The annexed appendices (F/F1) (G/G 1) and (117111/H2) indicate the import
and export tonnage figures of cargo, coal and oil respectively, handled by the
Port in 1949. A statement showing the tonnage of water supplied to vessels is.
given at Appendix (I), while Appendix (J) shows tonnage that passed through
the Lake to Harbour Canal.
(b) Lighterage.?Although the Lighterage Companies had undertaken to make
every effort to prevent any further deterioration of their lighter fleets by exer-
cising closer supervision and careful maintenance of existing fleets and to put
into early commission those lighters undergoing repairs, together with new lighters.
under construction, no appreciable increase in the number of lighters available
was observed. Indications are, however, that the Companies' efforts will reach
fruition early in the coming year.
(c) Warehouses and Clearance.?A re-allocation of warehouses to the respective
Landing Companies was made during the year. In this connection, it should
be mentioned that the question relative to the increase of landing rates to
enable Landing Companies to accept responsibility for cargo landed into the
warehouses allocated to them, remained undecided at the close of the year.
In March very serious warehouse congestion was caused by the handling of
an unprecedented number of foodships which had arrived simultaneously. The
crisis was reached on March 15, as a result of the Director of Food Supplies
not being able to clear food cargoes as expeditiously as they were landed, due
to the fact that he lacked sufficient storage facilities outside the Port area.
However, a scheme of co-ordination of work was evolved to deal with the
situation. This proved successful and was reflected in improved clearance figures
thereafter. The Director of Food Supplies continued to clear his cargoes satis-
factorily until December, when once again congestion of food cargoes occurred
in the warehouses. In spite of timely warning, the Food Department was.
unable to cope with the inflow of cargo with the inadequate transport facilities.
at their disposal.
The Clearance Section of the Traffic Department continued to function satis-
factorily in spite of these difficulties, by acting in close liaison with the Landing
Companies, Customs Authorities and the consignees. The Traffic Superintendent.
(Imports)ceased to attend meetings of the Railway Wagon Allocation Com-
mittee, as the position had eased considerably and the Railway Department was.
able to allocate sufficient wagons for the requirements of the Port.
(d) Cranage.?The total number of lifts made in 1949 was 1,207,957 which
showed an increase of about 20 per cent, over the figures for the preceding year.
Appendix " K " refers.
(e) Port Commission Railway.?Food and coal trains were worked throughout
the year with the exception of four days. The increase in the tonnage handled
in the preceding year was maintained in 1949. The figures for 1948 and 1949
are given below :-
1948 1949
Inward 12,956 tons 13,426 tuna
Outward 584,739 504,416 ,
Mixed 33 1, ."..-
Total ". 597,728 tuns 607,842 tons
Appendix " L" refers.
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Indde rf01011a.P.Fie01 0 r,e'//e -6kmeioolait,
= ,9,2; - n
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CIVIL3 COLOyBO PORT COMMISSION D 17
(D Seavenging and Conservancy. All scavenging was done departmentally:
During the year, 1,898 lorry and 135 tip wagon loads of scavenged rubbish from
the Port were disposed of at the dumping ground at Bloemendhal.
(g) Sanitation.?All damaged cargo condemned by the Port Health Officer was
removed in departmental lorries. The total quantity removed amounted to 693
tons 19 cwt., which was disposed of by dumping at Bloemendhal, as the Muni-
cipal Pulverising Plants were out of order.
Every precaution was taken to arrest the breeding of mosquitoes within the
Port premises. Discarded tins and other water holding receptacles carelessly
'thrown about were collected and removed to the Dump.
All possible assistance was given to the Government Salvage Department to
collect and transport articles of commercial value found in the scavenged rubbish.
Rat destruction continued to be carried out by Municipal employes, assisted by
the department.
(h) Mechanical Plant.?With a view to mechanising the handling of coal,
certain appliances were provided during the year at the Coal Grounds. Two
Hoppers of 40-ton capacity each were constructed for use on No. 8 Coaling
Jetty for the purpose of loading coal into railway wagons. A number of 5-ton
and 10-ton coal skips were also constructed for the scheme of handling coal
mechanically ex Collis, as well as for bunkering purposes, the equipment for
the latter purpose being in the course of preparation.
-V. Labour
(a) Adininistration.?The prompt settlement of labour disputes and the rigid
application of the terms and conditions of service prescribed by the Competent
Authority have minimised complaints to an appreciable degree during the past
year and have also tended to reduce instances of stoppage of work. The relative
absence of disputes and their prompt settlement whenever they occurred bear
testimony to the wisdom of posting Labour Officers in the vicinity of working
areas. The number of complaints dealt with in 1949 was 8,852 compared with
6,840 in 1948.
(b) Registration and Decasualisation.?The scheme for the decasualisation of
Port labour was completed during the year under review. It was not, however,
possible to put this Scheme into operation before the close of the year due to
the fact that the necessary powers will not be available till the Port of Colombo
Administration Bill is passed by the Legislature. In the circumstances, as many
aspects of the Scheme as could be materially introduced without upsetting the
equilibrium of the present system, were brought into operation.
During the year under review, the Labour Pool recruited 162 registered workers
from Category C.
(c) Wages.?At the beginning of 1949 wages and conditions of employment
were as laid down by the Competent Authority in the Port of Colombo Handbook,
but during the course of the year a Wages Board was set up for the Dock,
Harbour and Port Transport Trades. This Wages Board was created under
the provisions of 'Ordinance No. 27 of 1941 and was composed of an equal num-
ber of workers' and employers' representatives and a number of official members.
It was found, however that this Wages Board, after conducting deliberations
for a considerable length of time, could not arrive at any concrete decisions.
Later, this department placed before the Wages Board a scheme whereby a
piece rate-cum-guaranteed monthly wage could be made applicable to all
grades of workers in the Port. The Wages Board, however, for the time being
only decided on fixing the guaranteed monthly rate recommended by this depart-
ment, with modifications, but without the piece rates. The only exceptions
were the piece rates laid down by the Wages Board for lightermen. The result
was that the minimum monthly rates, without details as to the rates applicable
to normal hours of work, overtime, &c., had to be applied in conjunction with
those already laid 'down by the Competent Authority in the Port of Colombo
Labour Handbook. The stevedore workers took exception to the question of
setting off night earnings for purposes of computation of the minimum wage
2-J. N. A 98237 (5/60)
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D 18 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOR 1949 [PART I
as prescribed in the Wages Board Ordinance. Their subsequent refusal to do
night work in November brought to an end the tranquility of the Port, which
had existed since 1947.
(d) ,Cargo and Coal Labour Pools.?The two Labour Pools continued to function,
the cargo pool smoothly, but the coal pool with difficulty. The difficulties in
the coal pool were increased by the introduction of the policy of Ceylonisation
with vigour. Non-Ceylonese labour who were, more or less, the backbone of
the coal pool, were refused admission and attempts were made to place Ceylonese
workers in their Stead. These attempts, which were persistently made both by
the employers and this department, did not meet with any measure of success,
as the following figures will reveal.
During the year under review, 2,733 Ceylonese were recruited for work in the
Coal Grounds, both by the employers, as well as by this department, but only
212 remained in employment at the end of 1949. These recruitments were made
through the Employment Exchange and from outside, but the result in each
case was the same. It was observed that the difficulty was more pronounced
in the shore section, and in the circumstances a perpetual shortage of coal labour
was experienced.
A close study Made within the course of the year revealed, the fact that owing
to the spasmodic nature of the availability of employment in regard to bunkering,
the purpose would be better served, both efficiently as well as economically, by
forming a bunkering pool. Labour for bunkering is now, therefore, supplied
only from the Pool. Even this plan has not brought about the measure of
success that was anticipated, due to the scarcity of labour, and until such time
as the mechanisation of the coal section comes into operation, these difficulties
will undoubtedly continue to exist.
However, it can be said that these two Pools assist materially in the process
of the decasualisation of labour and they supplethent, at a moment's notice,
shortages in the Port when peak periods of work are reached.
(e) Welfare.?Meals of a sufficient quantity and adequate quality continued to
be issued free of Charge to all port workers, two substantial meals being provided,
one during the day and the other at night. In addition, tea is also provided
free of charge to. certain workers by employers as a matter of custom, though
no legal obligations exist to make it compulsory. .Rice was made available on
permits issued by this department to employers of labour at controlled prices'
and this gave employers a full opportunity of economically supplying a good meal
to their employees. Certain employers, however, preferred to get the standard
meal from the Marketing Department.
The issue of meals was supervised and, when necessary, pressure was brought
to bear upon those employers, who used unclean and uncovered food containers to
convey food, to provide better utensils. The examination of meals was carried
out from time to time, and any shortcomings were promptly brought to the
notice of the employers concerned and matters put to right.
About 23 canteens are being operated in the various centres of the Port. They
come under the supervision of the department and continue to serve a most
useful purpose in providing workers with tea and other light refreshments.
Workers in both the cargo and coal sections are also provided with bathing
troughs and shower baths, in addition to wells. Rest sheds have been built
for the use of commercial labour and they are placed in charge of a Canteen
Supervisor. These measures, therefore, enable the workers to have their meals
in clean and healthy conditions, with protection from sun and dust.
(f) Labour Unrest.?During the year under review, unrest among the harbour
workers was almost nil save the incident referred to earlier amongst stevedore
labour, which occurred during the last two months of the year. Apart from this,
only one other dispute took Place. This was a dispute between the management
of the Ceylon Wharfage Co., Ltd., and their employees in Colombo and at the
Company's boatyard at Mattakuliva, on account of the retrenchment of about
40 men, due to lack of work. A conference was held between the Workers'
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Approved For Release 2002/07/24; CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Civth]
* COLOMBO PORT COMMISSION D 19
Union and the Company, the dispute being settled on the Company agreeing
to discharge the redundant workers in batches over a period and not all at the
same time.
(g) Ceylonisation.?The policy of Ceylonisation adumbrated by the Ministry
was vigorously pursued during the year. The following figures will illustrate the
progress made in this direction.
Non.
CeyloneseCeylonese Total
On September 1, 1948
1,979 ...
4,498
6,477
On September 1, 1949
3,831 ...
3,747
7,578
On December 31, 1949
3,798 ...
3,684
7,482
As usual, the staff of this department continued to give proof of their loyalty
and hard work in meeting the ever increasing volume of business of the Port.
The past year also saw the climax of four years of planning for the modernisa-
tion of the Port which will ensure its efficiency in years to come. The department
now looks forward to the first year of the second half of the century with the
hope that it will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Port
of Colombo.
P. A. J. HERNU,
Chairman,
Colombo Port Commission.
Colombo Port Commission,
Colombo, May 1, 1950.
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
D 20 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOR 1949 [PART I
APPENDIX A
REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE
Statement of? ,
(a) Revenue and Expenditure for the Financial Years 1940-41 to 1948-49; and
(b) Estimated
Year
evenue and Expenditure for the Financial Year 1949-50.
Revenue Expenditure
Rs. Rs.
1940A1
5,558,376 2,803,739
1941-42
5,883,333 3,263,231
1912-43
6,348,518 4,489,590
1943-44
6,299,260 5,499,912
1944-45
7,950,773 6,630,978
1945-46
7,730,173 7,317,219
1946-47
8,838,835 8,215,719
1947-48
9,992,961 11,792,666
1948-49
13,685,312 11,721,531
1949-50
14,735,000 (Estimated) 12,590,844 (Estimated)
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
?
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDPQp-00926A002700010009-4
APPENDIX 8
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Approved For Release 2002/07/24: drict-A6Fkoll66V62P5d88.009-4
Approved For Release ZOQ,2107/24 : CIA-RDP80-00926A0027q901,0009-4
APPENDIX ? APPENDIX E
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, Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Civth] ' COLOMBO PORT COMMISSION D 27
(i) Coal Imports.
APPENDIX " F "
COAL TONNAGES
1948
Tons
1949
Tons
January
27,310
22,053
February
24,576
13,562
March
20,492
26,797
April
24,074
27,797
May
27,280
37,085
June
29,003
35,852
July
28,021
34,002
August
26,942
50,043
September
41,118
44,661
October
25,809
37,268
November
40,604
30,750
December
38,507
18,867
(ii) Coal Bunkers.
Total ..
353,736
378,737
1948
1949
No. of ships
bunkered
--N--)
Tons
ko. of ships
bunkered
Tons
January
31
7,317
24
6,826
February
40
12,278
28
7,523
March ..
48
11,2651
38
11,534
April ..
39
8,016
50
12,552
May ..
39
9,037
29
7,140
June ..
33
8,421
39
11,374
July ..
40
10,901
38
11,650
August
34
8,395
39
14,617
September
38
13,108
31
8,004
October
39
9,105
36
7,034
November
34
7,384
29
7,374
December
41
9,880
23
5,436
Total
456
115,1071
398
111,064
_
3--J. N. A 98237 (5/50)
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
-
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Printed y Survey Dept., Ceylon, May 1 950.
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Dyed For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80700926A002700010009-4
4
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
eivad COLOMBO PORT COMMISSION D 31
APPENDIX " G "
CARGO TONNAGES
(i) Summary of Imports.
r- -....A
No. of
Vessels
1948
1949
-1
Tons
f:;To. of
Vessels
Tons
January
75
101,918
104
101,696
February
91
129,744
109
136,365
March . .
84
100,407
129
172,356
April . .
84
118,997
113
133,956
May . .
95
122,203
116
112,933
June . .
81
88,132
111
112,478
July . .
. .
97
105,426
106
100,726
August
. .
89
81,956
125
91,358
September
? ?
107
93,960
118
71,070
October
. .
109
85,467
145
97,876
November
. .
101
105,335
146
119,493
December
. .
111
109,214
122
97,0231.
Total
(ii) Summary of Exports.
. .
1,124
1,242,759
1,444
1,347,3301
1948
1949
No. of
Tons
No. of
Tons
Vessels
Vessels
January
62
42,997
85
55,605
February
65
45,999
94
43,365
March
80
43,686
96
40,937
April
70
38,421
101
41,331
May
86
46,886
108
55,044
June
81
48,641
91
60,953
July . .
93
63,900
100
53,651
August
94
48,260
112
52,126
September
113
46,502
108
44,853
October
98
60,815
114
62,826
November
97
51,749
115
60,353
December
98
63,717
108
53,449
Total .
. 1,037
601,573
1,232
624,493
N. A 98237 (5/50)
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4 ,
D 82 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FO'R 1949
[PART
APPENDIX " H "
OIL TONNAGES
(i) Summary of Liquid Fuel Imports.
1948
---A.
No. of
Tankers
-1
1949
Tons
discharged
r----
No. of
Tankers
.-A-------1
Tons
discharged
January
4
36,995
6
58,576
February
1
10,294
6
49,668
March ..
6
59,172
4
39,444
April
3
36,216
6
71,909
May
6
57,825
4
38,693
June
5
43,892
8
76,451
July ..
4
35,058
4
37,383
August
4
26,289
4
51,697
September
5
46,398
5
57,030
October
5
38,233
7
71,019
November
3
23,2.07
9
72,128
December
3
31,279
5
44,853
: Total. ..
49
444,858
68
668,850
(ii) Liquid Fuel Bunkers to Ships. (Exclusive
No. of ships
bunkered
of Naval bunkers.)
1948
1949
Tons
No. of ships Tons
bunkered
January
. . 75
36,968
.. 73
.. 33,161
February
67
27,000
90
32,996
March ..
70
34,157
102
43,463
April ..
63
23,973
89
43,833
May ..
81
25,373
105
41,549
June . .
58
24,039
97
45,217
July . .
76
30,955
106
46,811
August ..
73
26,768
134
57,294
September
72
29,041
114
48;092
October
92
33,157
163
75,044
November
105
42,029
110
47,248
December
97
37,462
116
49,284
--
.. 929
1,299
563,992
Total
370,922
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
, Approv
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Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Printed by Survey Dept., Ceylon, May 1950,
Appr
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1,100,000
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? Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
CiviIfl -COLOMBO PORT COMMISSION D 39
APPENDIX " I "
WATER SUPPLIED TO VESSELS
1948
1949
f---
No. of
Vessels
No. of
Tons
f----
No. of
Vessels
----N
No. of
Tons
January
176
40,676
176
41,135
February
178
44,088
175
48,890
March
192
42,014
222
52,812
April
17(
32,132
195
49,702
May
193
42,372
204
57,338
June
147
32,941
206
57,125
July . .
183
?
40,428
202
51,140
August
174
?
39,158
226
66,871
September
178
.
47,514
224
58,601
October
202
.
42,002
234
58,030
November
191
.
40,047
242
56,496
December
208
?
47,490
229
57,524
Total
. . 2,192
491,162
2,535
655,664
5?J. N. A 9S2:37 (5'50)
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Approved For Release 2002/07/24 ? CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010_009-4
D 40 CEYLON ADMINISTRATION REPORTS FOR 1949 [PART 1
APPENDIX " J "
GOODS TRAFFIC THROUGH THE LAKE TO HARBOUR CANAL
1948 1949
Imports Exports Imports Exports
Tons Tons Tons Tons
January 2,642 ? ? 7,224 ? ? 330 8,619
February 1,065 ? ? 9,164 ? ? 75 6,881
March 8 ? ? 6,797 . ? -- 5,955
April 66 ? ? 6,659 ? ? 5.546 8,282
May 1,739 ? ? 8,690 . ? 465 8,529
June 17 . ? 9,472 ? ? 151 ? ? 8,989
July 1,080 . . 9,139 ? ? 360 ? . 8,014
August 745 ? ? 5,120 . . 524 ? . 7,852
September 54 ? ? 7,151 ? . 685 ? . 7,196
October 123 ? ? 8,744 ? . 1.020 ? ? 9,249
November 912 ? ? 7,559 ? ? 611 ? ? 7,515
December 446 ? ? 8,055 1.715 ? ? 8,780
Total 8,887 93,744 11,482 95,861
Approved For Release 2002/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00926A002700010009-4
Approved For 13010;9581206.631114 : CIA-RDP80-00921/1140211100111609-4
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