Navy projects in Delft island

Over 4,500 people benefiting :

NCP correspondent in Kankesanturai

Navy personnel attached to the SLN Vasabha, acting on the directions of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has launched several development programmes to benefit 1,318 families numbering 4,530 people living in Delft, the island off Jaffna.

A sewing centre set up in the island, funded by the Navy, has provided employment to a batch of 43 women and the garments produced by them are purchased by the Navy. Another six women recruited to the centre are currently undergoing training prior to confinement.

Salaries are paid to them from the proceeds earned through garment sales.

Since most of the families occupying Delft are living in worn out huts, the Navy started a housing project to build 300 houses for their benefit. Each house is estimated to cost Rs 300,000 and 20 houses have already been completed.

The Navy also operates a special passenger vessel to enable residents in Delft to travel free of charge between Delft and the Kurikattuwan jetty. The vessel is manned by four employees of the RDA and the expenditure on fuel and maintenance is borne by the Navy.

The Navy has also set up four tanks to supply drinking water to the inhabitants and water is filled into these tanks by Navy bowsers. The Navy camp has four water purification plants to supply clean water to health institutions and schools in the island. A Police Station and government offices have also been established in the island to serve its population.