Last Thursday marked the grand opening of The Palace, the new seafarers’ welfare centre opened by the National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS) with grant funding from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust. The first seafarers’ welfare centre in Sri Lanka, the centre will offer reasonably priced accommodation to seafarers transferring through Colombo, Sri Lanka’s main international transit point, as well as a range of health and wellbeing services and community support. The centre benefits from a central location close to health, transport and entertainment facilities and online booking for accommodation will open in June 2025.
Katie Higginbottom, Head of Trust said “It’s fantastic to have such a beautiful facility as The Palace created by the NUSS for seafarers in Colombo. This shows the respect and excellent support services that seafarers deserve to receive, as vital key workers in the international economy, and recognises the rising importance of Sri Lankan seafarers in the maritime labour market.”
Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary and ITFST Trustee said “This grant to the NUSS has provided Sri Lankan seafarers with world class facilities for accommodation and support, and demonstrates our trust in NUSS as a dynamic maritime union working hard for the benefit of Sri Lankan seafarers.”
Boa Athukorala, project lead for NUSS added “We at NUSS are proud to open the first seafarers’ welfare centre in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan seafarers are a growing force in the international maritime sector. The Palace will give our seafarers the launching point and support to effectively pursue their careers in the maritime world.”
Attended by representatives from the Sri Lanka and international maritime sector, the delegates heard from speakers also including Ms Joni Simpson, Director of the International Labour Organisation Office (Sri Lanka and Maldives) and Mr Janith Kodithuwakku, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister – Ports and Civil Aviation. Mr Kodithuwakku took this opportunity to announce the Sri Lankan governments 3 economic priorities of Tourism, Maritime & Agriculture.
The opening also received coverage on the national TV news. The coverage can be seen (starting at 28:50 minutes) here: https://www.youtube.com/live/cs8hqvXhkYk
