Dredging operations complete at KKS harbour

Outgoing High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha, participated in a brief ceremony last week at the Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour to mark the completion of the dredging operation.

The ‘Joint Post Dredging Survey’ chart was formally handed over by the High Commissioner to Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA). The dredging work at the KKS Harbour has been undertaken by the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), a public sector undertaking of the Government of India.

Consul General of India V. Mahalingam, Nielkhawsiem, Manager(Operations) of DCI and senior officials of the Navy were also present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion the outgoing High Commissioner stated that with the completion of dredging operations, four phases of the project supported through grant assistance from the Government of India, of US$ 25 million had been completed satisfactorily. This had paved the way for the commencement of the rest of the work by the SLPA, under a concessional line of credit from the Government of India. He hoped that this work would be undertaken expeditiously.

He underlined that the rehabilitation of the harbour would go a long way in the development of economic infrastructure in the Northern Province, support domestic as well as regional commerce and connectivity as well as paving the way for exploitation of KKS harbour as a commercial port.

In his remarks, Capt. Keppetipola thanked the Government of India for its assistance in the rehabilitation of the Harbour and assured that the SLPA would make all efforts to undertake and complete the work promptly.

The dredging operation, which is the fourth phase of work, has been undertaken under a fully funded grant from the Government of India to the tune of INR 11.32 crores (US$ 2.055 million).

- Asian Tribune