The Sri Lanka Navy took over the operations at Hambantota port and helped the loading of 1086 vehicles, the navy said today, adding that acts of sabotage to electric systems and machinery had been committed

These had to be repaired for the port to be operational, the navy added.

In a statement, the navy pointed out that the day-to-day work had been hampered from December 7 at the port due to protest by workers.

Disturbances in the port heated up on December 10 when the navy intervened to disperse the protesters.