Delft visited by a minister after 20 yrs

*Delft gets new mode of transport

*Host of development projects for Jaffna

Delft Island, the lonely and largest island in mid sea, 46 km away from Jaffna mainland, was visited by a government minister for the first time in 21 years. Presidential Task Force on Northern Development chairman, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa visited Delft Island on Saturday. The then minister of National Security Ranjan Wijeratne had visited the island in 1990, and since then no minister had visited there.

The immediate need of the people in Delft Island was to have a fast boat service between Delft Island and the nearest land point at Kurikattuwan. The minister made arrangements for a new boat with 100 seating capacity delivered through the Colombo Dockyard.

A problem developed later as the Delft jetty was not deep enough to receive the new mode of transport. The minister on Saturday visited Delft Island and inaugurated the dredging of the Dutch period jetty to a depth of two metres up to a 200 metre distance.

This is the first time the jetty, erected during the Dutch period, has seen major modernization. This was possible due to instant action taken by Minister Rajapaksa. The cost of this project is Rs nine million.The new mode of transport is a blessing for over 5,000 families in Delft Island.

The minister also has another plan for Delft Island.

That is to convert it into a tourist resort with the setting up of new tourist hotels in the coming years.

The minister observed that this is the first time since independence that the Jaffna peninsula has been allocated a vast amount for a series of development activities in the mainland and the islands.

A water supply scheme and the rehabilitation of the salt water exclusion bund was also inaugurated by the minister.