Cabinet green lights passenger sea ferry for Delft-Jaffna route under “Prajashakthi” program

Wednesday, 7 October 2026 05:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

Vessel to carry about 150 passengers; income to fund livelihoods of low-income residents of Delft

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved building a passenger sea ferry for the Delft-Jaffna marine route, in a bid to improve sea travel between the Jaffna mainland and its outer islands.

Maintaining maritime passenger transport in the Jaffna Peninsula has been a challenge because of inadequate facilities to safely carry a larger number of passengers at one time, particularly between the mainland and outer islands such as Delft. Under the “Prajashakthi” national program, the deployment of a sea ferry able to carry approximately 150 passengers at once on the Delft-Jaffna route was considered as a solution.

“Under the approved arrangement, the ferry will be manufactured by Cinor Foundation Ltd. It will be operated by the Delft Development Society, which functions under the Department of Samurdhi Development,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He said all income generated by the vessel will be used to develop the livelihoods of low-income earners in the Delft area, including members of the society.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by the Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister.