Largest port in South Asia

The Port of Hambantota is a maritime port currently under construction in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. The first phase of the port was opened on 18 November 2010, with the first ceremonial berthing of the naval ship "Jetliner" to use the port facilities. Hambantota Port is built inland and operated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Construction of the port began in January 2008. It will be Sri Lanka’s largest port, after the Port of Colombo. The Port of Hambantota will service ships traveling along one of world's most busiest shipping lines - the east west shipping route which passes six to ten nautical miles (19 km) south of Hambantota. The first phase of the port project will provide bunkering, ship repair, ship building, and crew changes facilities.Later phases will raise capacity of the port up to 20 million TEUs per year. When completed, the port will be the biggest port constructed on land to date in the 21st century.

The construction of the Port of Hambantota is part of a larger development project centered around the Hambantota District. Apart of the port, the project consists of the construction of an international airport, a highway, a railway, an oil refinery and related facilities.The new airport will initially handle cargo related to the port, with plans for later expansion. Related to the project, a 500-acre (2.0 km²) Safari Park is being constructed in Ridiyagama,Ambalantota scheduled to be open in 2011. An international cricket stadium is also under construction in the area, and will host two fixtures at the upcoming 2011 World Cup.

The projects have resulted in Hambantota, one of the underprivileged districts in Sri Lanka, becoming the fastest developing region in the island.