Jetty built to develop coastal transport services in Jaffna Peninsula
Measures have been taken to build a jetty in Jaffna in order to develop coastal transport services in the peninsula, to augment the development work that had already been started from Eluvativu, Northern Naval Commander Rear Admiral Priyantha De Silva said.
With the target of improving the shipping services in the peninsula, a sub office of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and a Merchant Shipping office was opened on the Island of Kayts to issue quality assurance certificates for sea vessels.
This was revealed at a meeting which was held to review the development work under taken in the peninsula. Because of the use of labour and expertise of the Navy, a minimum cost was incurred
Out of a total of 11 islands in the Jaffna Peninsula only seven were inhabited. They are Karikattuwan, Nagadeepa, Delft, Analathivu, Eluvativu, Kayts and Karainagar. Delft Island was situated furthest from Jaffna.
when constructing the jetty, he said.
“Out of a total of 11 islands in the Jaffna Peninsula only seven were inhabited.they are Karikattuwan, Nagadeepa, Delft, Analathivu, Eluvativu, Kayts and Karainagar. Delft Island was situated furthest from Jaffna. The other islands are located 2-3 km from the Jaffna Peninsula. Artificial roads are being used to travel to Kayts and Karainagar Islands while access to the other islands is by boat. Even though there were Jetties located on all these islands from ancient times they were not properly maintained, Rear Admiral Silva said.
The main objective of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping was to develop the jetties using the navy’s labour and expertise. Under this project the Eluvativu and Analathivu islands are expected to develop their own piers. Eluvativu Pier Development has already begun.
The Eluvativu and Analathivu sea area is shallow. However, a minimum depth of 600 metres is required for the construction of a jetty.as a solution for this technical issue they expect to build a longer pier that extend to the deep sea.