India mulls $61.5 mn grant to give facelift to Sri Lanka's KKS port

22 Mar '24

2 min read

(L) Sri Lanka's minister of ports, shipping and aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha. Pic: News.lk

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India has agreed to provide grant of $61.5 million to fully develop KKS.
As part of project, a new breakwater will be constructed, and the port will be dredged up to a depth of 30 meters to accommodate deep-draft vessels.
KKS covers an area of approximately 16 acres and is located at a distance of 56 nautical miles from Karaikal Port, in Pondicherry, India.

Sri Lanka’s Port of Kankesanthurai (KKS) is all set for a makeover after India has agreed to make available $61.5 million grant to fully develop it.

Media reports underlined this citing Indian high commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.

The Indian envoy during a recent meeting with Lankan minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva reportedly disclosed this even as he expressed India’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation between the two nations.

The port will be dredged up to a depth of 30 meters to accommodate deep-draft vessels even as a new breakwater will also be constructed as part of the project.

Meanwhile, Nimal Siripala de Silva, on his part expressed gratitude on behalf of his ministry and the Sri Lankan government for the support provided by India in the fields of aviation and shipping.

As per the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, situated in the northern region of the country, the Port of Kankesanthurai, commonly referred to as the KKS Port, covers an area of approximately 16 acres and is located at a distance of 56 nautical miles from Karaikal Port, Pondicherry, India.

The KKS Port has a rich and long history, and had started its operations as a commercial port coinciding with the establishment of cement factory in Kankesanthurai in 1950, as per reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)