Sri Lanka to develop Kankesanthurai harbor in northern peninsula with Indian aid to enable general cargo handling
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that the government will take measures to develop the Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour in Sri Lanka’s northern peninsula with Indian aid.
The Prime Minister has observed that once developed, the harbou will be able to facilitate the berthing of general cargo ships and handle exports and imports.
Wickremesinghe has made this observation following a visit to the port.
He has noted that the government aims to develop a “vibrant economic hub” around the KKS harbour that would be transformed into a commercial port.
A statement on Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s, who is also Northern Province Development Minister, visit to the North has stated that he had instructed officials to work expeditiously to finalise land acquisition and other preliminary work of the three-year, US$ 45.27 million development project.
Ports, Shipping, and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka has tweeted that the Kankesanthurai harbour, currently operated by Sri Lanka Navy, would be transformed into a port that can handle general cargo ships.
The transformation of the port is aimed to boost import and export sectors while generating a large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities, the statement has further stated.
“Under this plan, the harbour’s basin will be deepened to 8 metres allowing it to handle general cargo ships,” Ratnayaka has said.
“The current breakwater will be completely replaced as part of the transformation. One existing pier will be completely rehabilitated and a new pier will also be constructed.”
According to reports, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has already begun initial work on a 15-acre area within the KKS harbour premises, and it is expected to be expanded to a 50-acre area in the next phase.
OSL take:
Given Sri Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is on the fast track of achieving hub status in the South Asian region. The country’s ports have been on a continuous growth path with Colombo, Trincomalee and Hambantota ports recording an increase in operations and soon KKS port is to also engage in commercial shipping. Foreign maritime and logistics companies could explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka while other could explore setting up businesses in Sri Lanka given easy and quick access to foreign markets.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/15022019/Z_4 |