Srilanka, Feb. 2 -- As the congestion at the Colombo Port seems unlikely to ease off in the immediate future the business community including trade and industry chambers have called on the authorities to take urgent steps to address the issue before it could get worse causing a complete breakdown in clearance and other port related operations.

The delay in clearing containers over the past two weeks has sent out a negative message to global shipping lines, many of which had bypassed the port during the past few days.

Ports and shipping industry experts have warned of dire consequences to the image of the Colombo Port which is reputed for transshipment business.

Leading business chambers and trade associations in a statement last week c...