New Delhi, Oct 11
Projects such as Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port and Jaffna Airport expansion cannot afford to be caught in political transitions, as their timely completion will determine how evenly Sri Lanka's post-crisis recovery is distributed across all provinces, according to a new report.
Recent changes in logistics portfolios of Sri Lanka's Cabinet could accelerate essential northern infrastructure projects, but they may also jeopardise progress if policy continuity is not ensured, the report from Jaffna Post hinted.
Bimal Rathnayake has been appointed Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, while Anura Karunathilaka has taken on the role of Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation -- in a reshuffle intended to expedite state development targets ahead of the upcoming national budget, the report opined.
The report outlined the transformative potential of KKS Port and the Jaffna Airport expansion for the Northern Province. Feasibility studies, supported by India's $61 million grant, project monthly cargo volumes of 2,000-5,000 tonnes.
Current passenger traffic on the Nagapattinam-KKS ferry ranges from 1,200 to 2,000 travellers per month and could exceed 5,000 once daily services resume, according to the report.
The Northern Province, and particularly Jaffna, remains one of Sri Lanka's least integrated economic regions. A fully functional KKS Port can link northern producers in fisheries, agriculture, dairy, and Palmyra-based industries to markets across the Palk Strait and beyond.
An upgraded airport will also serve as a key transit point between South Asia and the Middle East. Once operational, it will attract international carriers, facilitate tourism, and open new trade corridors for perishable exports, particularly seafood, dairy, and fresh produce, to quickly reach India.
Further, upgrading Jaffna Airport could reduce travel time between Colombo and Jaffna from nearly ten hours by road to about one hour by air.
Through completion of these projects, the government can open a northern economic corridor that complements Colombo's dominance and ensures balanced development, the report noted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Reducing travel time from Colombo to Jaffna from 10 hours to 1 hour is a game-changer! This will boost tourism and business connectivity. As an Indian businessman, I can see huge potential for cross-border trade in perishable goods. Hope the new ministers prioritize these projects.
While I support infrastructure development, I hope the Sri Lankan government ensures that local communities in Jaffna benefit directly from these projects. Sometimes big infrastructure projects don't trickle down to ordinary people. The focus should be on creating local employment and supporting small businesses.
The fisheries and agriculture sectors in northern Sri Lanka have so much potential! With better port facilities, they can export directly to Indian markets. This could be a win-win for both countries. Hope the political stability is maintained to see these projects through.
Cabinet reshuffles often disrupt ongoing projects in our region. Hope Sri Lanka learns from India's experience and ensures policy continuity. These infrastructure projects are too important for regional prosperity to be affected by political changes. The northern corridor development is crucial for balanced growth.
The Nagapattinam-KKS ferry service becoming daily will be fantastic! I've taken that route before and it's much more convenient than flying via Colombo. More connectivity between Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka will strengthen cultural and economic ties. Looking forward to seeing these developments materialize.
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