KKS port development:

Indo, Lanka MoU signed

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

A Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Kankesanthurai port was signed between the Indian government and the Ports and Highways Ministry yesterday at the Ports and Highways Ministry.

The MoU was signed by Ports and Highways Ministry Secretary Sujatha Cooray and Indian High Commissioner Ashok K Kantha in the presence of Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardane.

Indian High Commissioner Ashok Sri Kantha said that the Indian government provides assistance to develop and remove wrecks at the KKS port as a fruition of assistance extended to develop the Northern Province which was affected by a terrorist war for a long time.

The government has already taken measures to develop five ports under the Mahinda Chinthanya Idiri Dekma.

'As the first phase of the project the Ministry plans to clear six ships which were sunk in Kankesanthurai port due to terrorist attacks, states' a Ministry official.

He also said that the project will facilitate and upgrade marine transportation of essential consumer items and other products to the Northern Province.