Govt. to resume shipping links between Kankasanthurai and Talaimannar

• Move to boost exchange goods and passengers with South Indian ports
• Plans to build new jetty for commercial purposes at KKS 
• Tourism to be developed at both KKS and Talaimannar 

Work has started on re-establishing transportation of goods and people from Kankasanthurai (KKS) and Talaimannar to ports in South India, the Prime Minister’s Office said yesterday. 

Upgrading KKS Harbour has already started with work being observed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during a recent visit. Plans to upgrade the jetty at Talaimannar has already been made and work on it will be started soon by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. 

“Once transport by sea is re-established, efforts will be made to link passenger and goods services with rail services in South India. This step will be taken by the Transport Ministry. Before the war, such links existed with a passenger able to cross between the two countries with one ticket,” the statement said.

With the resumption of these services, it would be possible for Buddhists to undertake pilgrimages to India at lower cost. 

The Government has already started implementation of a $45.27 million development project for the KKS Harbour. In addition to the general upgrade, a new 167m jetty will also be constructed for commercial purposes. A new breakwater will also be built under the project. The funds for the project have been obtained under preferential basis from the Indian Government. 

The KKS cement factory also is to be reconstructed under this effort. The 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. Under the mixed development projects, there are plans to establish tourist hotels and create a tourism zone. Similar plans are afoot for Talaimannar as well to develop tourism in the region.