Minister inaugurates wreck removal project at KKS Port

Chaminda PERERA

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday inaugurated the wreck removal project at the Kankasanthurai Harbour yesterday. The wrecks of over six vessels sunk in the KKS port would be salvaged under this project as part of KKS port development project which is funded by the government of India.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa waved a flag to mark the inauguration of the project in the presence of Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha. These vessels were sunk in the KKS port 15 - 20 years ago and they have impeded the commercial operations of the port for the last two decades. This project is to be completed by November.

The governments of India and Sri Lanka entered into a Memorandum of Understanding over the KKS harbour development project which will be carried out in six stages.

The project includes preliminary hydrographic survey, geo technical investigation and preparation of detailed project report, wreck removal and disposal, dredging in the port, rehabilitation of break water and other facilities and the preparation of detailed hydrographic survey and port chart. These projects would be funded by the Government of India.

RESOLVE Salvage and Fire (Asia) Pte, a subsidiary of US based RESOLVE Marine Group inc has been awarded the contract by the Shipping Corporation of India, the administrator of this project.

The wrecks have impeded safe access of ships to the KKS harbour. Scanning of a 500m radius from each wreck will also be carried out under this project to ensure safer transit of ships to the KKS port. The company has mobilized a team of experts to cut up the wreckages and bring them a shore, enabling the dredging and rehabilitation work in the port.