Govt. to develop jetty facilities in Jaffna islands for better passenger and cargo transport

The Sri Lankan Government is taking measures to develop jetty facilities in the Jaffna Peninsula and the adjoining Islands to improve the safe transport of passengers and cargo between the islands and the peninsula.

The need to improve the facilities has arisen as people in Jaffna’s nearby islands, including Delft and Nagadeepa, use boat transportation for their daily needs. In addition, pilgrims also use boat transportation to visit places of worship.

It has been noted that there are some issues regarding the transportation between the islands and the peninsula such as a lack of sufficient boat transportation, minimum jetty facilities and the need to renovate the lighthouse.

As a solution, Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga has put forward a proposal to develop and regulate coastal passenger transportation by the Director General of Merchant Shipping and to make suitable amendments to the Boat Ordinance. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the minister’s proposal. (Colombopage)