Indian government assures assistance to restore Kankesanthurai port
A Memorandum of understanding to develop the Kankesanthurai port has been signed between the Indian government and the Ports and Highways Ministry, Dailymirror reports. According to the this MoU, the Indian government will be providing assistance to develop and remove wrecks at the port as a fruition of assistance extended to develop the Northern Province which was affected by a terrorist war for a long time. As the first phase of the project six ships which were sunk in KKS port is to be removed.
The KKS port was rendered useless after the LTTE repeatedly attacked it when the outfit controlled the surrounding areas. The port was key in connecting the Jaffna peninsula with the rest of Sri Lanka, and also regional destinations, particularly India.
The main problem in re-building the port is the presence of six ship wrecks. The contract to remove the wrecks has already been awarded to a Singapore-based firm. The operation expected to be completed before end of this year.
After removing wreck, Kankasanthurei port will facilitate and upgrade marine transportation of essential consumer items and other products to the Northern Province.
Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise development, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Deputy Minister for Ports and Highways, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri, Governor of the Northern Province, High Commission for India in Sri Lanka Ashok K.
Kantha, Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandhu Wickrema and representatives from Resolve Salvage and Fire Asia Pvt Limited and Prudential Shipping Lines Pvt Limited also participated at this occasion.
The KKS port was rendered useless after the LTTE repeatedly attacked it when the outfit controlled the surrounding areas. The port was key in connecting the Jaffna peninsula with the rest of Sri Lanka, and also regional destinations, particularly India.
The main problem in re-building the port is the presence of six ship wrecks. The contract to remove the wrecks has already been awarded to a Singapore-based firm. The operation expected to be completed before end of this year.
After removing wreck, Kankasanthurei port will facilitate and upgrade marine transportation of essential consumer items and other products to the Northern Province.
Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise development, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Deputy Minister for Ports and Highways, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri, Governor of the Northern Province, High Commission for India in Sri Lanka Ashok K.
Kantha, Chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandhu Wickrema and representatives from Resolve Salvage and Fire Asia Pvt Limited and Prudential Shipping Lines Pvt Limited also participated at this occasion.