The Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port development project, intended to proceed under Indian aid, has reportedly stalled, with grant discussions halted for over a year.
This information emerged during a recent visit by a group of political leaders, including opposition Members of Parliament. Issues surrounding certain conditions included in the Indian grant are cited as the reason for the delay.
There were calls to reject the grant if an agreement on the conditions cannot be reached. Furthermore, it was revealed that the port’s operational efficiency is currently at a low level, with all activities, including payments for cargo ships and ferry services, having to be conducted through Colombo – a regrettable situation.
Speaking on the matter, Member of Parliament Prasad Siriwardana emphasized that such administrative and technical issues force local Tamil people to travel to Colombo for services, causing significant inconvenience. He warned that these problems risk escalating into a political issue among the public, fostering a sentiment of ‘we are not being treated fairly,’ and potentially transforming into a regional crisis. It was also revealed that this situation is impacting the Port Authority’s performance, with even the income from existing services being insufficient to maintain the current staff.
Considering the gravity of the situation, Member of Parliament Shanakkiyan Rajaputthiran Rasamanickam proposed a joint motion to discuss this issue in Parliament.
