India To Fund Full Renovation of Sri Lanka's Kankesanthurai Port In Jaffna, To Boost Ferry Link

In a significant development, the Sri Lankan Cabinet has greenlit the renovation of the Kankesanthurai Port in Jaffna district of northern Sri Lanka, with India stepping in to cover the entire project cost.

The announcement came through an official statement released on 30 April.

The Kankesanthurai Port, situated in Sri Lanka's northern region, spans approximately 16 acres and lies 104 km (56 nautical miles) away from Karaikal Port in Puducherry, India.

A ferry service was launched between India and Sri Lanka on 14 October.

The service was between the port town of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankensanthurai (KKS). The high-speed ferry covers a distance of about 110 km, between Nagapattinam and KKS, in around 3.5 hours depending on sea conditions.

The KKS Port was once under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy. The government, recognising the immense potential of the port, decided to transform it into a tourist port between India and Sri Lanka.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative, the statement revealed that the Indian government has pledged full financial support for the project. This move comes after prolonged discussions, as the estimated project cost surpassed initial projections, leading to negotiations on funding modalities, reports The Hindu.

Under the port development project it has been planned to repair and rehabilitate the existing breakwaters, piers and roads including dredging and wreck removal and construction of a new pier and a warehouse.

Initially approved by the cabinet on 2 May 2017, the project saw further progress with the authorisation for Project Management Consultant Services granted on 18 December 2019. The total cost of the endeavour was disclosed in March this year, amounting to $61.5 million.

Despite delays attributed to financial considerations, Sri Lanka is now exploring the possibility of completing the renovation under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, underscoring the shared commitment to revitalising the Kankesanthurai Port.

This will enhance socio-economic development and cultural relations between both countries, particularly in northern Sri Lanka.