The Ports Authority has published advertisements in newspapers for expressions of interest for the development of the east container terminal (ECT) of the Colombo port. This follows cabinet approval granted to a paper submitted by minister Arjuna Ranatunga. Also, the ADB will be appointed financial consultant to the ECT project. Previously, the bank extended a 350 million dollar facility for the construction of three terminals with a length of 1,200 metres. The Colombo south container terminal was vested with Colombo International Container Terminals Ltd. A 400 metre stretch of the ECT has now been completed, and the Ports Authority already uses it for normal cargo handling and earns a big income.