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| Friday, 17 September 2004 |
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| Ministerial Committee to study implications: Lanka concerned over Sethusamudram project - Mangala by Ranil Wijayapala An inter-ministerial committee headed by the Foreign Ministry has been appointed to study the implications of the proposed Sethusamudram Project of the Indian Government to create a canal linking eastern and western coasts of India. Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday that the Government was seriously concerned about the Sethusamudram Ship Canal project which is to be implemented by the Indian Government on a priority basis under its development plan. "Therefore, the Cabinet has decided to appoint an inter-ministerial committee which will act as a forum to assess the impact and make recommendations on proceeding with this issue including interaction with the relevant Indian agencies as soon as possible," the Minister added. The committee comprises the Environmental and Natural Resources Ministry, Ports and Aviation Ministry, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry, Defence Ministry and the Science and Technology Ministry. Minister Samaraweera said the proposed project envisages the creation of a canal through excavating and dredging in the Adams Bridge and parts of the Palk Strait and linking it with the Gulf of Mannar. The Minister further said that the project will involve the digging of a 44.9 nautical mile channel between India and Sri Lanka. "The project is aimed at reducing the present 400 nautical mile naval route around Sri Lanka to reach the East coast of India due to the non-availability of a continued navigable route," the Minister explained. Minister Samaraweera said that proposed project will have a serious impact on Sri Lankan ports as the project aimed to change the existing international naval route. "There will be adverse effects on international traffic now using the Colombo Port and also on the envisaged ports in Galle and Hambantota," Minister said. The negative environmental impact in the process of extensive dredging including sea erosion and adverse effects on marine environment and the livelihood of fishermen are among the serious concerns that have been identified. The Minister said the project will also have a certain amount of pressure on Sri Lanka's security in the North Eastern territorial waters. The Indian Finance Minister in his 2004-2005 budget announced the allocation of funds for the Sethusamudram project and the Environmental Impact Assessment Study was completed in May 2004. The Indian Cabinet approved the formation of a new company to implement the project from September 2004. The acceleration of the actual implementation of the Sethusamudram project was reported recently as the project has been a priority for a number of Tamil Nadu Parties in the ruling coalition government of India. |
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