In Sri Lanka, the Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour in the Jaffna peninsula will soon be developed with the help of India. India and Sri Lanka on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Kankesanthurai (KKS) port, the first such deep water facility being re-built in the war ravaged northern Sri Lanka. The Kankesanthurai Harbour, which was earlier destroyed during the 30 year war with the LTTE, will be aided by a mix of grant funding and concessional credit from the Government of India. With the completion of the work, this will be the third international harbour in Sri Lanka. ‘KKS will give the north a window to the world and restore both regional and domestic connectivity,’ said Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha, after signing the MoU with the Sri Lankan Secretary in the Ministry of Ports and Highways Sujatha Kure.While the total expenditure on the project will be determined by the Detailed Project Report (DPR) that will be prepared, the Government of India has already committed approximately 20 million USD for three initial elements, consisting of the preliminary hydrographic survey, geotechnical investigations and DPR preparation and wreck removal and salvage.In addition to this, the Government of India will provide additional grant funding for the dredging of the harbour and concessional credit for the rehabilitation of the breakwater and construction of a new pier and attendant port facilities. The High Commissioner of India also stated that restoration of physical infrastructure at the Harbour would contribute towards the reconstruction efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka, promote normalcy in northern Sri Lanka by restoring traditional domestic and regional linkages and give a fillip to economic activity by encouraging trade. The allied activities at the Harbour would also generate employment in the area. The Indian public sector engineering consultants, RITES, has already begun work on preparing a Detailed Project Report for the port. This is expected to be ready in August this year. Once Sri Lanka approves the DPR, India will begin work on deepening the port. The minimum draft will be at least eight metres, he said. Sri Lankan Deputy Minister for Ports and Highways Rohitha Abegunawardhane said that Sri Lanka will take up construction of the Quays and the breakwater. This work is expected to take about two years.