The luxury cruise liner MS. AMADEA called at Magam Ruhuupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MRMRP) in Hambantota early this month with 479 passengers comprising 423 German Nationals and 322 crew members and was under the command of Capt. O.Jarle Hatebo creating history as her maiden call at MRMRP in Hambanthota.

At Hambantota, passengers set off for day excursions in Kataragama and Udawalawe Sanctuary and their tour was operated by M/S Walkers Tours Limited.  Passengers had also been facilitated by Sri Lanka port authority to exchange their foreign currency and purchase local products at the port.

On her arrival at the MRMRP in Hambanthota an up country Sri Lankan dance troupe welcomed the passengers and Captain of the vessel were welcomed by Capt.P.S.Dias -  Deputy Harbour Master at MRMRP of SLPA, Norman Weerarathne - General Manager operations at MRMRP of SLPA, Suranga -  Assistant General Manager Operations at MRMRP of SLPA and Udara Cooray -  Operations Executive of Ceyline Shipping Ltd and Robin Dudley - Operations Executive of Ceyline Shipping Ltd.

Capt. O.Jarle Hatebo  stated that Magam Ruhuupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MRMRP) in Hambantota is the best  and most ideal port for the tourists who visit Southern Sri Lanka.

The same luxury cruise liner MS. AMADEA called at port of Trincomalee in 2006 creating history as the first cruise vessel to call at port of Trincomalee after Trincomalle port had been nationalized in 1967.

MS. AMADEA has a capacity to carry 620 passengers &  260 crew on board and equipped with entertainment facilities such as night club, swimming pools, restaurants, gymnasium, bars,etc. V Ships Leisure acts as the cruise ship operators whilst Ceyline Shipping Ltd serves the local agents. The cruise liner operations were efficiently handled by Ceyline Shipping Operations team under the supervision of Director Capt. Kapila Perera.

The Ceyline Shipping Ltd was the first local ship agent who brought the cruise liner MV.VOYAGER which was the first cruise vessel to call at MRMRP in Hambanthota.

Further, Ceyline Shipping Ltd as the agents for M/S Amadea said that they are pleased to inform that their principals have scheduled calls at MRMRP in Hambanthota on a long terms basis due to the development in the Sri Lankan Ports sector and Tourism Industry of Sri Lanka.