Dredger 'Diya Kowulla' to be refloated

THE Netherlands Government has agreed to assist the re-floating of the grab hopper dredger 'Diya Kowulla' which was washed off to the pier of the Galle Port due to the tsunami tidal waves.

The estimated cost of the operation is Euro 733,000 and it will be funded from the grant funds allocated to Sri Lanka by the Netherlands Government for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damages caused by the tsunami. The re-floating of the dredger will be carried out by a Netherlands company with relevant expertise to undertake such activities. The dredger will be taken to Colombo Port for further inspection and repairs if necessary.

This dredger was bought one year ago by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under the Netherlands Government ORET scheme. Under this scheme, 35 per cent of the purchase price of the dredger was provided by the Netherlands Government on grant basis.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning Dr. P. B. Jayasundera signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and Susan Th Blankhart, the Ambassador of the Royal Netherlands Embassy signed the Agreement on behalf of the Netherlands Government. Sujatha Cooray, Director General of the External Resources Department was also present.