Creating maritime history in Sri Lanka, the passenger terminal of the Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port built by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) at a cost of Rs. 450 million was opened yesterday.
Passengers from the Cordelia Cruise’s Empress were the first overseas passengers to this terminal which also had major contributions by the Indian Government and the Sri Lanka Navy.
The Indian passengers were facilitated at the new terminal by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva after opening the new passenger terminal.
Passengers on board Empress at the KKS Port were provided with Emigration and Immigration facilities at the terminal by the Customs. The new terminal will facilitate 200 passengers at a time.
The Port which was once under the control of the Sri Lanka Navy, served the nation during the turbulent period of the war. The Government, recognising the immense potential of the Port, took a decision to transform it into a tourist port between India and Sri Lanka.
The SLPA in conjunction with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation has now coordinated with Cordelia Cruise’s Empress Luxury passenger vessel service to dock at the the terminal on a weekly basis.
This will also facilitate other passenger vessels of international standard from India and other countries to call at the Port and the proposed ferry service to India too is expected to commence from KKS.
Further construction work on the prevailing jetty, construction of two new jetties and a warehouse are also scheduled under the development activities of the KKS Port in future.
Cordelia Cruise’s Empress called at the KKS Port and docked at the outer harbour and passengers were facilitated via passenger boats to the terminal and were facilitated with passenger clearances at the terminal.
A plaque exchange ceremony also took place between Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Master of the vessel Capt. Denys Corop to mark the maiden call of the vessel at the KKS Port,
The Governor of the Northern Province, P. S. M. Charles, Indian Consul General Raakesh Natraj regional political hierarchy and officials of Clarian Shipping Limited were also present.