A new chapter in India-Sri Lanka relations unfurled today as Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd kicked off operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT).
Dubbed a landmark moment, this $800 million venture isn’t just a port—it’s a bridge, linking two nations across the Indian Ocean with steel, ambition, and a shared vision for prosperity.
The CWIT, Sri Lanka’s first fully automated deep-water terminal, is a beast of modern engineering: a 1,400-meter quay, a plunging 20-meter depth, and the muscle to handle 3.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually. Born from a 35-year public-private partnership, Adani holds a 51% stake, flanked by local giant John Keells Holdings (34%) and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (15%). It’s a deal that took years to forge, weathering diplomatic squalls and union storms, but now stands as a testament to persistence.
For Colombo Port—long a throbbing hub for South Asian shipping—this terminal is a lifeline. Running at over 90% capacity, the port’s been gasping for room. CWIT doesn’t just ease that chokehold; it turbocharges efficiency with automation, slashing turnaround times and boosting throughput. Roughly 70% of Colombo’s transshipment traffic ties back to India, and with Adani’s seven container terminals already dotting the Indian coastline, the synergy’s undeniable. Mundra to Colombo isn’t just a route—it’s a network, amplifying trade flows across the Bay of Bengal.
The timing couldn’t be sharper. Sri Lanka, clawing back from a 2022 economic meltdown, sees this as a jolt of adrenaline—jobs, growth, and a louder voice on global shipping lanes. For India, it’s strategic gold: a counterweight to China’s foothold at Hambantota and a stake in a port that handles nearly half its transshipment needs. The U.S. even chipped in earlier with a $553 million loan offer (later swapped for Adani’s own cash), signaling the terminal’s geopolitical heft.
Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Ports, called it “a symbol of trust between nations,” a nod to the tightrope walked since the project’s 2021 inception. Back then, Sri Lanka’s flip-flop on an East Container Terminal deal with India and Japan had ruffled feathers. CWIT emerged as the compromise—and now, the crown jewel.
Phase 1 is live, with full operations eyeing mid-2026. As mega-ships dock and cranes hum, the message is clear: this isn’t just about moving cargo. It’s about moving history forward—India and Sri Lanka, side by side, sailing into a bolder tomorrow.